I rarely ‘go to lunch’. But recently I did, with a group that included Geoff Morgan, the Founder of Morgan and Banks, and Talent2. We spoke about a lot that day, but one thing he said shook me and contains a lesson for all of us.
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I rarely ‘go to lunch’. But recently I did, with a group that included Geoff Morgan. We spoke about a lot that day, but one thing he said shook me and contains a lesson for all of us.
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I have employed thousands of people over the years. And every time one resigned, a little part of me died. (OK, I lie. I have danced a jig around my desk on the odd occasion!)
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I have taken my fair share of criticism for just uttering the phrase “I am a recruiter”. But now it seems Google has an opinion too… read more
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For several decades I have owned and run recruitment companies in Australia and elsewhere. In January this year I made a massive change… read more
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Hello all South African ‘Savage Truth’ Subscribers, I have great news! I am partnering with APSO on a speaking tour of South Africa in May 2013… read more
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Recruiters get terrible press and everyone has a ‘terrible recruiter’ story. Every day brings more abuse and increasingly, gleeful predictions of the demise of the recruiter. Well, enough! … read more
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This post is one of my most popular. It may offend some readers, recruiters or not. But only because it’s going to cut close to the bone for many… read on if you dare

Into Africa. A recruiting safari.
Today is the last day of the ‘relaxing’ part of my trip to South Africa, and I write to you from the magnificent Delaire Graff estate just outside Stellenbosch, in the Cape Wine lands. But tomorrow it’s D-day. Day one of the Savage Truth Tour of South Africa, kicking off in Cape Town with a 3-hour seminar.

Recruiters! Stand Proud!
Recruiters get terrible press and everyone has a ‘terrible recruiter’ story. Every day brings more abuse and increasingly, gleeful predictions of the demise of the recruiter. Well, enough!

Recruiters are liars and scumbags. Google says so.
My entire working life I have been in this industry, and I have taken my fair share of criticism for just uttering the phrase “I am a recruiter”. But now it seems ‘the great search engine in the sky’ is predefining us as liars, scumbags, idiots and worthless.

The Savage Truth gets even more Savage!
For several decades I have owned and run recruitment companies in Australia and elsewhere. In January this year I made a massive change to that situation. At the end of 2012 I sold my entire interest in Firebrand Talent Search, the global marketing and digital recruitment company that I founded with a like-minded group of [...]

People don’t leave companies. They leave leaders!
I have employed thousands of people over the years. And every time one resigned, a little part of me died. (OK, I lie. I have actually danced a celebratory jig around my desk on the odd occasion, but that’s another blog!)
Greg Savage & The Savage Truth
Greg is the founder of leading recruitment companies Firebrand Talent Search, People2People and Recruitment Solutions. He is an established global leader of the recruitment industry and a regular keynote speaker worldwide. Greg provides specialised advice for Recruitment, Professional Services & Social Media companies.
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No, you are not ‘running late’, you are rude and selfish
June 7, 2010
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“God, I hate recruiters!”
March 2, 2011
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Sorry guys… women are better recruiters than men
December 6, 2011
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Being a recruiter rocks!
April 20, 2011
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Are you a LinkedIn liar?
March 27, 2012
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Suck it up princess. This is as good as it gets
May 14, 2013
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Into Africa. A recruiting safari.
May 6, 2013
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Recruiters! Stand Proud!
April 30, 2013
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Recruiters are liars and scumbags. Google says so.
April 16, 2013
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The Savage Truth gets even more Savage!
April 5, 2013
- Diana: Very true article indeed! I'm in the same situati...
- Mark S: I believe "leadership" is a misnomer in this cas...
- Ryan Harding: Greg- Thank you for sharing this! I have never be...
- Angela Roberts: Greg, great points – thank you for having the co...
- Phillip Kay: Hi John, I find it strange that for someone wh...
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Greg Savage – Feedback
Greg has been one of the best speakers for the Recruitment Industry that I’ve seen. He is passionate, innovative, and highly knowledgeable about where the future of our Recruitment Industry is heading – I aligned strongly to his thinking and ideas about clients, candidates and our own beautiful Recruitment Industry that he obviously loves so much! He is an icon in our space, and I always walk away from his presentations with some great ideas and inspiration to transform.RCSA Conference Delegate 2012
Greg is a passionate, forthright, risk-taking commentator who is single handedly educating the recruitment industry to perform & be accountable. He would get the starring role as the “pistol whipper” should any cowboys mosey into his town. Greg Savage should be knighted for his work in this industry; he is demanding delivery of excellence, holding us accountable; elevating our standards and scaring off the pretenders. He’s teaching us to work diligently and intelligently to earn the respect of our clients; not just expect a fee for services.RCSA Conference Delegate 2010
Greg presented to my senior leadership team of business bankers at our half-yearly conference on the topic of “Driving Business Growth Through Exceptional Leadership”. He delivered an outstanding presentation that was rated by the attendees as the best of the conference. He was able to bring to life some simple yet effective insights on people leadership and exceptional customer practices from his 30 years in business and triggered much discussion for the remainder of the conference. A very valuable experience for all who attended.David Tonuri - State General Manager, National Australia Bank
I have great respect for your outstanding knowledge of the recruitment industry not only within Australia but globally. Your direct presentation style is insightful, entertaining and relevant; always adding value through addressing the fundamentals of what is essentially a simple business model which is often over complicated through a misunderstanding of how to adjust in times change.Peter Gleeson - Executive General Manager, Executive Recruitment, Chandler Macleod Group
It amazes me that time and time again whenever we have Greg present, our delegates cannot ever get enough of him! They always want a repeat. No matter at what business level within our industry Greg presents to and no matter the theme, he consistently delivers a very powerful message that addresses the fundamentals of what we as individuals are about in business and how to succeed. To be able to capture that ‘spirit’ in people and channel it towards a common goal in the work place is done with genuine passion and a true belief that all things are possible. Greg’s own story and success is testament to that, with the added bonus of never being shy of sharing his own business highs and lows. His knowledge knows no bounds. From a conference organiser’s point of view, Greg listens to the brief, is keen to know his target audience and is very thorough with his research, submits his synopsis in a timely manner and is extremely professional and accommodating on the day in regard to AV, sound checks and scheduling. (as one would expect!)Claudia Gray - RCSA Learning Centre & Major Events Manager
The speaker I was most looking forward to was Rachel Botsman, and she certainly didn’t disappoint, but I have to admit it was Greg’s presentation I’ve been speaking about most to others this week. Perhaps the best use of social media I’ve seen anywhere – and I say that as a business coach who specialises in social media!Barry Thomas - Business Technology Coach, Altus
I really enjoyed your workshop yesterday and most of all, I got a few great tips that I can implement into our business. I do wish however I had all my managers from QLD there as well. Next time! Greg, on behalf of the 6 of us that attended from WorkPac in Brisbane – Thanks again.Brian Goldfinch - Queensland Regional Manager, The WorkPac Group
Greg, As always you go over and above. Thank you for your time, professionalism and complete openness during your recent presentation at the RCSA PEARL Consultant Forum. I know that our members always value what you have to share with them, be it leadership, recruitment skills or business focused. I have had a number of people attending the event comment that your session was loaded with practical examples, was full of pragmatic advice, and showed your passion for and experience in the industry. It was wonderful to be able to work with you again.Christina Pargeter - RCSA Learning Centre Regional Coordinator, Sydney, Australia.
Greg was the consummate professional who delivered exceptional content, customised to our local conditions, despite being on the road the length & breadth of SA for two sessions per day, three days out of four. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him in the lead up to the event and greatly appreciated his assistance in generating interest and support for the seminars via his extensive social media network. The feedback from our delegates was amazing and I’m confident that they will take Greg’s savage truths onboard in realising the need to step up their games and become talent magnets within the new reality of global talent management. Judging by the positive reaction, and the success of these events, I think APSO and Greg will be working together in the future!Natalie Singer - APSO Chief Operating Officer, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The training conducted by Greg Savage was energising, informative and highly relevant to our team. Greg's substantial knowledge and industry experience was evident in all of the content discussed. Greg is a hugely personable and accessible facilitator who easily engaged and inspired our team. In addition to his wisdom and insightful market intelligence we took away many meaningful tools and techniques that are easily applied in our organisation.Philippa Flynn HR Manager - Stellar Recruitment, Brisbane, Australia.


