Understanding Referral Hiring: Addressing Common Concerns
In the modern recruitment landscape, companies face rising hiring costs and unmet staffing needs. As organizations look for innovative solutions, referral hiring—utilizing employees' networks to acquire talent—has emerged as a viable option. However, many businesses encounter challenges before they can effectively implement or enhance their referral programs
To address these concerns, Willof Partner Inc., led by CEO Takumi Shimizu, is hosting a free online seminar titled "[Q&A Seminar #1] Addressing All Questions on Referral Hiring Budgets and Approvals" on September 16, 2026. This seminar aims to provide practical answers to the pressing questions posed by HR professionals regarding referral hiring strategies.
The Importance of Referral Hiring
Referral hiring not only reduces the time and cost associated with recruitment but also enhances the quality of hires. Studies show that referred candidates often fit better culturally and exhibit greater loyalty to the organization. However, to effectively utilize this approach, firms need to overcome several barriers, such as securing executive buy-in for investment and navigating the intricacies of budget allocations.
What to Expect from the Seminar
In this session, participants can expect insights from seasoned professionals with extensive backgrounds in both human resources and referral hiring. CEO Takumi Shimizu, who has overseen over 1,000 companies incorporating referral hiring, will share strategies for clearly communicating the return on investment to management. Alongside him, Shuhei Nakajima, a former HR Director at a publicly listed company, will provide insights based on his experiences in developing recruiting strategies and managing budget approvals.
The seminar will cover:
- - How to articulate the costs versus benefits of referral hiring to executives
- - Best practices for setting referral bonuses and incentives
- - Strategies to encourage employees to leverage referral programs
Who Should Attend?
This seminar is beneficial for:
- - HR leaders and executives looking to reduce reliance on recruitment agencies while revitalizing their referral hiring strategies.
- - HR personnel who have already adopted referral hiring yet face challenges in generating actual referrals, risking the program's effectiveness.
- - Those interested in developing suitable referral bonuses and incentive structures tailored to their organization.
- - HR representatives who have unique hiring challenges that require more than just case studies from other companies.
Event Details
- - Date and Time: September 16, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
- - Cost: Free
- - Capacity: 50 participants on a first-come, first-served basis
- - Platform: Zoom
Interested attendees can register via the following link:
Register Here
About the Speakers
Takumi Shimizu, CEO of Willof Partner Inc.
Takumi Shimizu joined Sansan Inc. in 2013, where he played a crucial role in the establishment of the Customer Success department. In 2014, he founded what is now Willof Partner, following a pivotal shift to develop the cloud referral hiring tool "Refcome." Recognized by Forbes as one of Asia's '30 Under 30' in 2018, he continues to lead initiatives that enhance companies' recruitment capabilities.
Shuhei Nakajima, Customer Success Manager at Willof Partner Inc.
With 19 years of experience at Will Group, Shuhei has driven operational excellence and human resource development. As an HR Director, he achieved remarkable results including a 300% increase in recruitment, 50% reduction in hiring costs, and a 150% increase in acceptance rates. Since April 2026, he has been instrumental in supporting companies to establish strong workforce engagement strategies.
Conclusion
The upcoming seminar promises to be a crucial event for HR professionals seeking to optimize their referral hiring practices in an evolving market. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from industry experts and engage with peers facing similar challenges!