Timing the recovery. When to invest in staff and marketing

Most staffing markets around the world have stabilised. Some have definitely started growing, while others are clearly showing signs of increased optimism. For recruiting firms, it seems the dark days of 2009, where demand virtually collapsed, are behind us. Many business owners and managers are thinking about growth, reinvestment and hiring staff. However, these strategic […]
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Kill off the Bikers. Fire unprofitable clients now!

I have nothing against bikers. I had a motorbike myself, until I drove it into a hedge at 60 mph on the way back from the rugby club. Bikers are only an analogy in my tale today, so Rev Heads… take no offense please. But to the business at hand. Consider this and then run […]
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Aquent ‘Exclusive Selection’ strategy starts to pay off

Regular readers of ‘The Savage Truth’ will remember that in January 2010, Aquent launched a new strategy for engaging with clients on permanent hiring assignments. Realising that multi-listed, contingent arrangements with clients are to the detriment of all parties concerned, Aquent now only accepts permanent assignments in Design, Digital, and Marketing on a retained or […]
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Do not allow a ‘Prima Donna’ to destroy your leadership credibility!

If you have ever managed a team of recruiters for any length of time, this topic will resonate with you, I am sure. Inevitably, within a group of recruiters, one, maybe two, will rise to the top. These “Big Billers” either inherit a great desk or, less often, they build it themselves, and soon they […]
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Leadership is action! It’s what you do that counts, not what you say

Managers have subordinates, leaders have followers. That short statement took me many years to learn. When I was young, and thrust into a management role way before I was ready, I thought leadership meant “getting people to do things”. And maybe, in the end, that is what it is. But it’s not by telling, or […]
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Kiwi Recruiters. Linked In or left out?

During my recent RCSA speaking tour around Australasia I spoke to over 500 Australian and 150 New Zealander recruiters, on the upbeat topic of ‘Riding the Recovery’. I have to admit it was refreshing to talk about positive ideas and strategies to ensure we take advantage of the opportunities presented by an economic revival. One […]
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Forget the hype. New Zealand Recruiters do not use Twitter!

Over the past week I have conducted RCSA seminars for over 150 New Zealand Recruiters in Auckland and Christchurch. The topic was “Riding the Recovery” and part of my session was on Social Media and how we need to build that technology into our talent sourcing strategies. Well, I grabbed this opportunity to conduct a […]
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Oh dear! People won’t follow you on Twitter? Here is why!

I am no social media expert, although I have built up 45,000 plus Twitter followers to date. Truthfully, I only plunged into the social media world, including this blog, because I am a recruiter, and I ran a business that works in the digital and marketing arena. I felt I needed to know what the […]
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‘Large metallic balls’ or not, customer experience is the pathway to recruiting greatness

It has been a while since I had a really good laugh reading something on the internet, but apparently this item caused me great mirth, because even people on the other side of the office came over to see what all the fuss was about. Yes, the article on Skrentny Speaks where I am described […]
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Guess what? Candidates are customers too!

Last week I blogged on the importance of customer service in the recruitment industry, and how Aquent is surveying customer satisfaction, and rewarding our staff based on customer feedback My story was picked up by recruitment journalists in Australia and the UK, and I have been fascinated by the feedback this concept has received. Comments […]
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