#Japan #Tokyo #Staffing Industry #Matka #Referral Design

Matka Proposes a Revolutionary Approach

In the face of rising costs and declining response rates in the staffing industry, Matka, a subsidiary of Gaiax, is advocating for a transformative recruiting method known as 'referral design from initial contact'. This innovative approach aims to help staffing agencies overcome the limitations imposed by traditional recruitment models reliant on external media.

The Urgency of Change

By 2025, data suggests that the average scout response rate will plummet to a mere 6.7% (according to Direct Sourcing Inc.). This alarming trend is prompting a growing number of staffing agents to confront a persistent challenge: how to maintain consistent candidate attraction in a landscape where reliance on media has proven to be insufficient.

For those new to the industry, particularly agencies with fewer than ten employees or agents just starting their careers, it is essential to nurture an environment in which referrals organically arise. This necessity hinges on developing a strong personal brand, as becoming a referral magnet requires enhancing one's appeal.

Seminars and Insights from Leadership

At the upcoming seminar, Sakae Nakano, CEO of Matka, will share insights garnered from successfully implementing referral-based attraction strategies that have led to the recruitment of 1,200 candidates annually. Attendees can expect to gain actionable knowledge that even small-scale agencies can deploy beginning the very next day.

Key Focus Areas of the Seminar

During the session, Matka will present practical strategies centered around three main pillars:
1. Referral-Centric Attraction Design: Understanding the dynamics of when referrals 'emerge or stall' and how to create a systemic approach within organizations.
2. Practical Self-Branding: Guidance on defining brand pillars and creating outreach strategies to become an agent worth referring.
3. Immediate Steps for Small Agencies: A roadmap for initiating referral-based recruitment, tailored with actionable steps that can be implemented right away.

Speaker Profiles

Sakae Nakano, CEO of Matka
2013 marked Nakano’s entry into the workforce at Link and Motivation, where she played a pivotal role in launching the staffing business and consulting for hiring. Her referral-only approach has resulted in attracting over 1,200 candidates annually. After moving to Recruit in 2016, she spearheaded initiatives in referral promotion and organizational restructuring. In 2020, she founded Matka, focusing on strategic support for staffing firms, and integrated into Gaiax from 2025, continuing her impactful leadership in staffing.

Ai Haru, Marketing Leader at HERP Job Miru (Moderator)
Haru joined HERP in 2019, becoming a founding member of the Customer Success team for HERP Hire. With experience overseeing hundreds of onboarding programs and renewals, she now leads the marketing team for Job Miru, a system tailored for staffing firms while also managing recruiting for business roles, embodying HERP's philosophy of 'scrum hiring' to foster growth and expansion.

Seminar Overview

• - Event Name: Optimal Attraction Strategies for Small Agencies
• - Date and Time: April 21, 2026, 12:00 - 13:00
• - Format: Online (Zoom)
• - Cost: Free (Pre-registration required)
• - Registration Link

About Matka

• - Established: December 16, 2020
• - CEO: Sakae Nakano
• - Services: Consulting for staffing agencies, career consulting support, etc.
• - Matka Website

About HERP

• - Established: March 2017
• - CEO: Ichiro Shoda
• - Services: Providing HERP Hire, a recruiting management system, and Job Miru tailored for staffing firms.
• - HERP Website

About Gaiax

• - Established: March 1999
• - CEO: Yuji Ueda
• - Services: Social media services, sharing economy services, incubation business initiatives, etc.
• - Gaiax Website