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.
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Recruiters are liars and scumbags. Google says so.

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!)

How to resign without being a prat
You have got a new job! Well done. Now, don’t spoil it all by making a hash of your exit from where you are now. I know, you are excited. It’s hard to stay focused on the old gig, when everything is ‘oh so cool’ about the new one. But remember, the ‘old gig’ was [...]

50 (half) smart, or (vaguely) controversial things I said at the RCSA Conference (Part 1)
Apparently my presentation at the RCSA Conference caused consternation, irritation, and even inspiration, in equal part. A success then, by my measure. I have had a lot of requests for summaries of the content, so here are 50 things I said that day. Although, in Part 1 we start with the first 25. The rest [...]

Recruiters, toughen the f*** up!
Most people who become recruiters do not last. There are many reasons for that. Poor hiring decisions and inadequate training being high on the list. But there is another key reason why so few people actually last in the hurly-burly world of agency recruiting. It’s a frigging hard job! So I know that sometimes you [...]

Fun and Money – The two reasons to come to work
There are only two reasons to come to work. Fun and money. And you have to have both. One of them will not be enough. Not if you want to love what you do, that is. Having a job where you get just one or the other, often seduces you into thinking you have found [...]
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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How did it get to be ‘OK’ for people to be late for everything?
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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The future of recruitment — explained in 30 minutes!
June 11, 2013
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This person cleans up your mess for $8.50
May 28, 2013
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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
- cameron lang: Great piece Greg. People who are late are the one...
- Tim: This article is so accurate and timely too! My Fa...
- Grant: Excellent read Greg! Time is precious, and yet peo...
- Guy Swain: Greg, I agree wholeheartedly. I feel that this ...
- Ragav Mehta: Greg, Loved the webinar! Your insights into the...
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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
You have the ability to encourage people to explore new ways of doing business and how to engage effectively with people and staff at all levels. Your ideas and training sessions have been received extremely positively with our staff over the years. Through your training we have achieved the desired outcomes and built stronger relationships with our clients. Your executive coaching style is both engaging and empowering. When I have left your seminars I know I will have a better understanding of the challenges business face and how to understand and implement ways to improve and overcome future challenges.Paula Watts - Director, Law Staff (NZ) Limited
Following your seminar, I am writing to you to let you know that the month of implementing your Backwards Plan and points system (May) we broke a company record in billings. I just wanted to let you know that in June we broke that record again! We had a monster of a month! I am absolutely delighted with the difference this simple system has already made to my business and just wanted to thank you once again. I’m focusing on managing the growth we are experiencing now – it’s great to have even happier staff who are all reaping the benefits of the points system!Joanna Wilson - Director, The Ultimate Recruitment Company
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
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
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.
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
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
Greg's style, message and insights into a recruitment industry under pressure, are both confronting and inspiring. With passion, Greg pulls apart what we shrug off as 'candidate care', 'margin', 'business development' or 'tough times'. And he refuels the fire that industry leaders are using to drive growth, value and profitability into this new era of recruitment. NPA Worldwide is a cooperative of 400 specialist owner-managed recruitment businesses around the world. Greg Savage spoke at our Sydney NPA conference, attended by 100 agency owners and consultants from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Asia and the US.Geoff Crews - Director, Forsythes Recruitment; and Director NPA Worldwide
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.

