How can small recruiters grow in 2014?

Denise Walker

Companies at the smaller end of the market must make the most of the opportunities arising from the recovery. Denise Walker explains how

For small recruitment companies across the country, it is an exciting time. The economic recovery is in full flow and employers are hiring again. There are a few key steps that these agile businesses can take to make the most of the opportunities available and achieve high growth.

Know your niche

The recruitment industry is notoriously competitive, so as a small company it makes it especially important to showcase your niche speciality. Does your business recruit into a particular sector or sectors? Is your expertise in placing senior staff? Or do you have in-depth knowledge of a specific location? When you’ve established a niche, market it so that you’ll attract customers whose needs match what you can deliver. This will also help build the reputation of your business as an expert or specialist in something – which is always an attractive proposition to potential clients.

Be a ‘people business’

As your business is based on helping other companies to take on talented individuals, practice what you preach. Complete a skills audit to determine what capabilities and talents you might need to achieve growth, and consider whether you can invest in the development of employees’ within your business, or whether you need to take on new staff. Or do you need to do both to get where you want to be? Thinking about the longer term, consider the skills and people you will need to deliver growth to reach your five year goals rather than just your immediate goals.

Be disruptive

Shake up established processes and systems, and implement new and exciting ways of doing things. Whether it’s harnessing new technology, attracting candidates via social media, or developing a dynamic candidate assessment process, showing clients that you are innovators and willing to embrace non-traditional methods of recruitment will definitely impress.  Remember there is always room for innovation in any industry.

Engage with the wider business community

For any growing business, networking is instrumental to make valuable connections and establish brand awareness. Attending industry events and networking both virtually and in person are helpful ways to meet potential clients, partners or even someone who knows someone that might be interested in working with you. Ensuring you communicate all the great work your business does and your capabilities is also really important, so consider asking your satisfied customers for testimonials to add to your website, and encourage them to recommend you to friends and colleagues if they are pleased with the work you do for them.

Take advantage of the economic recovery

As the economic recovery is gaining pace, confidence is returning. Businesses are hiring again, and small recruitment businesses should take advantage of this. As optimism has grown, you can capitalise on their needs and increased demand by offering help with the placement of temporary and permanent staff and fulfilling their needs during this exciting transitional period. Or if they are feeling confident to make permanent hires, make sure you’re on hand with a talented bunch of people on your books who are feeling buoyed by the improved economic climate, and are also looking to move onto pastures new.

Denise Walker is growth coach at GrowthAccelerator