I've recently started training in powerlifting as part of my fitness plan to become the best version of myself - v10.0, if you will. It may have something to do with a significant birthday looming in October…more of that later!

This journey is both new and exciting, and I've got a coach to guide me through it. One of the key lessons my coach keeps drilling into me is, "Lift the same, look the same." The idea is simple: if I don’t keep adding weights, nothing changes. I won’t get stronger, I won’t look fitter, and I’ll remain the same.

The same principle applies to your business. If you continue doing the same thing today and tomorrow as you did yesterday, then nothing will change. If nothing changes, nothing changes.

Growth and improvement come from consistently challenging yourself and your team. So, how can you apply this mindset to your recruitment business?

Assess and Evolve Your Processes

Take a step back and review how your team operates from prospecting to post-placement care. Here are a few areas to consider:

Prospecting: Are your methods for identifying potential clients and candidates up to date? Utilising the latest tools and platforms for prospecting can significantly enhance your reach and efficiency. Explore new methodologies, leverage automation and AI-powered search tools, and utilise existing platforms such as LinkedIn to its fullest potential.

Screening and Interviewing: Evaluate your screening and interviewing processes. Are you using advanced assessment tools and structured interview techniques to identify the best candidates - even before your consultants review their resume? Consider incorporating skills assessments, personality tests, and video interviews to streamline and improve your selection process. Some of our clients ask 1 question that makes their teams focus on the right candidates, cutting through 100s of candidates they cannot help.

DM me “What's the question” and I’ll share it with you!

Client and Candidate Experience: Just like progressively adding weights to your lifts, enhancing the experience for your clients and candidates can lead to significant gains. 

Implementing feedback mechanisms, improving communication, and ensuring a smooth onboarding process can differentiate your service and build stronger relationships. After all - we are in the service industry, so let’s not forget to productise that service as much as possible so it’s repeatable and continually improving.

Measure it too. There are so many tools that are free/negligible in cost to implement a way to measure your service. At a minimum a brief survey post placement. But why not go for gold with a survey pre-placement (post internal interview and post client interview) so you are measuring not only successful candidate/client experience (post placement care surveys) but also how your process pre-placement too.

Embrace Technology and Innovation

Staying ahead and providing best in class service, means embracing technology and innovation. Here’s how you can do it in your agency:

1. Automation: Automate repetitive tasks to free up your team’s time for more strategic activities (like speaking to people!). From candidate sourcing to interview scheduling, candidate update activities, reminders to keep in contact with clients, automation can enhance efficiency and reduce missed opportunities.
2. Data Analytics: Utilise data analytics to gain insights into your recruitment processes. Track key metrics like time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, and source effectiveness to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions. Job to placement ratios are one of my favourite as it highlights how many jobs I MUST have on to meet my placement targets. 
3. Continuous Learning: Encourage continuous learning and development within your team. Provide training on the latest recruitment trends, tools, and best practices. And then keep reminding them! Repetition is the mother of learning and the father of action - so you may think you sound like a broken record, but keep reminding them and teaching them. Staying informed and skilled is crucial for adapting to changes and driving growth.

Set Goals and Measure Progress

Just as in powerlifting, setting clear goals and measuring progress is essential for business growth. Define specific, measurable objectives for your team and track their performance regularly. Not just financial goals, but performance metrics/targets that improves customer experience too. Celebrate the small wins and use setbacks as learning opportunities.

The Powerlifting Lesson for Your Business

“Lift the same, look the same” is a powerful mantra not just for powerlifting, but for any area where growth and improvement are desired. By consistently challenging your team, embracing innovation, and striving for continuous improvement, you can ensure that your recruitment business doesn’t just stay the same but grows stronger and more successful over time.