Being a Magnificent Leader

The last decade we've seen the rise, fall and rise again of the recruitment industry. But as we move through 2015 and look a few years ahead the forecast is extremely bright and likely to produce continued market growth.

Businesses and individuals confident in the economic outlook, people are more likely to change roles, and  businesses are more likely to try to hire new talent. For recruitment business leaders the next few years will provide an exciting opportunity to achieve scale.

Competition will remain fierce, especially with talent shortages in every sector and region of the UK. Leaders will need to be magnificent and entrepreneurs will need more than a good sales team to succeed.

So while the current rise in fortunes for our industry will contiune for a while to come, the degree by which you can really be a magnificent leader, has never been more crucial.

What is an entrepreneur?

The 21st century will probably be the century of entrepreneurial capitalism

Carl Schramm, a well-regarded expert on entrepreneurial innovation, stated, “I see the 20th century as one of industrial capitalism evolving into bureaucratic capitalism of corporations, government, and labour unions, while the 21st century will probably be the century of entrepreneurial capitalism”. Asked to define an entrepreneur, Schramm listed the following qualities:

• They are an outsider, they ask the hard questions, and press leaders on the ‘why’ around status quo.
• They think in terms of disruption, and are often thought to be disruptive by the change-averse.
• They see things differently, considering untraditional forces that others didn’t see.
• They are often competent in a completely different field than the field they are working know lots of facts and information that makes thinking richer.
• They have worked in multiple places in the world.
• They have worked in a start-up. They have worked in a job they didn’t like.
• They have worked in multiple industries.

Scaling up

Recruiters seeking to emulate the success of other entrepreneurs and leaders will need to find ways to improve their profitability. With margins remain under pressure, it's about demonstrating value to clients whilst remaining compliant and operationally robust.

As part of the REC’s Business Services programme, we are delivering a campaign called Scale Up aimed specifically at supporting recruitment leaders, owners and entrepreneurs. Via a range of products and services we are helping those who want to grasp the opportunities that economic growth will bring.

The Scale Up campaign includes a live UK tour, our Scale Up recruitment leader podcasts, masterclasses, workshops, business guides and research; The seven secrets of successful recruitment entrepreneurs.

The seven secrets research brings together the views and experiences of some of the UK’s most notable recruitment entrepreneurs. It highlights the challenges and opportunities they encountered and shows how they overcame these challenges and took advantage of the opportunities.

Each entrepreneur we spoke to has a different story to tell, and the research recognises that there is no one right way to succeed. But what the report does offer is some key insights and advice that an entrepreneur should take into account.

The REC’s broader business services programme provides a comprehensive set of products and services to help you lead your recruitment business through growth

Beyond the research, the REC’s broader business services programme provides a comprehensive support package and services to help you lead your recruitment business through growth, expansion and diversification. We also have services aimed at developing talent so that you can help your staff and your business do more.

We have nearly two decades of experience of helping thousands of individuals and recruitment businesses reach their goals. And phase two of Scale Up now provides businesses with access to the Elite Leadership programme, via our brand new strategic alliance.

In business it's important to know the right moment to move forward. The expertise we have amassed has enabled thousands of business to move beyond the ordinary. So, if you are going to be magnificent, don’t do nothing – do something. Being an entrepreneurial leader means knowing more and seeing things differently. Three small things you might just want to do:

1. Read the Seven secrets of successful recruitment entrepreneurs – the best advice from some of the most successful recruitment leaders
2. Listen to the recruitment leader podcasts – insight and enlightenment from the leaders who have been there and done it
3. Why not give us a call - we have a number of free Elite Leader business health checks which we are trialling on a limited basis with mid-sized businesses who are keen to Scale Up and ride the wave of current market. How can you be more if you don’t know what you might be missing?

Give us a call on 020 7009 2100.