How to safeguard your recruitment business growth

No matter which newspaper you read, you’re sure to be bombarded with messages that state that there’s definitely light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the recession.

Some recent reports have even suggested that we’re more than half way to full recovery, which is encouraging. However, business owners on a day-to-day basis are still finding times tough, particularly in the recruitment sector.

So what can you do to safeguard your recruitment business over the remaining uphill period, making sure you come out of the other end stronger and better than before?

Here are our Top Ten Tips:

1. Specialise. Jack-of-all-trades have a tendency to be master of none. Niche is often thought of as bad, but if you can build a reputation for being great in one sector, it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish that’s lost in a big pond. Invest the time and effort it takes to work out what you’re truly great at and give it your very best shot.
2. Prospect. Employers are recruiting and people are changing jobs; it’s a fact. If you’re not getting a share of the action, it’s time to up your prospecting act. Get on the phone, get on the social media, get out and about. Shake up your network and remind people that you’re there and worthy of their attention.
3. Look after your most valuable asset. Too many businesses take their existing customer or client base for granted. This is a huge mistake and to be avoided at all costs. Your existing client base is quite literally your goldmine. You worked hard to get them, and at the moment you need to work hard to keep them. Don’t forget to do it.
4. Be on your toes. In the current climate, change is flavour of the day. While it’s not always possible to anticipate challenges and change, if you’re on your toes, you’ll be able to embrace change as well as respond positively to challenges that are good or bad.
5. Delight. One of the opportunities for any business to really differentiate itself is great service. Customer or client service deserves your attention, day in and day out. In the current climate, customer delight should ideally be your goal.
6. Listen. Listen to your team, listen to your clients and listen to the market. By keeping your finger firmly on the recruitment pulse and keeping your ear to the ground, you’ll be perfectly placed to get ahead of the competition when it comes to seizing opportunities.
7. Invest in your people. Making sure your team is ahead of the crowd when it comes to training and knowledge is a sound investment for the future. In the same way as a captain coaches his team ahead of a match, you need to make sure your team has every tool at their disposal to do their jobs better than the rest.
8. Focus. Setting goals and sticking with your plan is key to any business’ success. While even the most focused business owner can find this tough at times, the effort you invest on staying on course will pay dividends.
9. Look after yourself. When things are tough, it’s tempting to put your head down, get negative and forget about looking after yourself. We all know that we operate much more effectively when we eat well, get enough sleep and exercise. If you’ve forgotten to do any of these things, now’s the time to redress the balance.
10. Boost the team. Don’t forget to encourage, coach and congratulate your team. They’ve been feeling the tough times too. It’s your job to give them the boost they need to get them to the next phase.

If you’d like to discuss your recruitment business with someone who has their finger firmly on the pulse of what’s happening in the market, why not get in touch?