A comprehensive guide to starting your agency

This is a guest blog by Giant Finance

Starting a recruitment agency might seem simple. All you need is a laptop, a phone, and LinkedIn, right? Well, it's not that easy. There are many challenges you might not anticipate, like getting paid, dealing with rules and regulations, and helping your temp workers with their timesheets. That's when you'll need some support.

Giant Finance + has been in the recruitment business for over 15 years, and we've helped many consultants start and grow their agencies.

The business landscape

When the economy faces disruptions, it eventually bounces back. This is an excellent time to start a temporary employment agency in the UK. Many businesses want to save money with a more flexible workforce, and more people are looking for temporary jobs due to rising unemployment.

This is a guide to "Starting A Temporary Agency." It can help you transition from being employed to running a successful agency.

Preparation

Before you open your agency, there are a few important steps to take:

1. Find your unique edge - With over 37,000 competitors, you need to stand out. Specialise in a specific industry, highlight your skills, streamline services, or find a unique angle to stand out. You don't need groundbreaking ideas;

find a unique twist.

2. Understand your customers - Get to know your target market, create customer personas, and establish an online presence through engaging content and social media.

3. Test your edge - Many businesses fail because they don't test their ideas. Talk to potential clients and ask them what challenges they face. Be honest with yourself when looking at the responses. Did you come up with a winning idea, or do you need to make some changes?

Sometimes a simple solution to a client's problem can make you their preferred choice.

4. Set your prices and terms - Decide on your target and minimum profit margin, and stick to it. It's not worth chasing high sales if you're not making enough money to cover your costs. Also, be clear about the types of business you don't want and create terms that protect your interests, especially if temporary workers turn into permanent employees.

5. Secure adequate fundsm - Lack of capital is a common reason businesses fail. You'll need startup money for your website and initial expenses. Also, partner with a finance provider who can help manage your cash flow as your business grows.

6. Reliable back-office support - Invest in a back-office provider to handle administrative tasks. This will free you up to focus on clients and candidates. It may seem like an added expense, but it's worth it in the long run. Try to structure costs so they are a percentage of your income.

7. Invest in a good database or CRM system - Your data is valuable. Invest in a system that can store and secure it, making it easy to access when needed. Properly used, it will save you time and money when you need to find a candidate you worked with months ago.

8. Don't forget the details - Choose your legal structure and define shareholdings if you have partners. The UK is considered one of the easiest places to start a business, but we can provide the guidance.