The Recruiter Campus

Recruiting Firm Owners: When was the Last Time You Weeded Your Garden?

Have you ever planted dandelions?  Do you have a special garden for them?  No?  Then why do they show up?  Why does any weed end up in your garden if it is not planted?

Weeds like negative thoughts spread.  The people we talk to, both clients and peers spread them to us.  We spread them to our team.  They are 'watered' every day by more negative thoughts.  Like invasive plants need to be pulled from a garden, negative thoughts need to be manually removed from your mind.

I was reminded about this during the past week as I had the priviledge of speaking with over 30 owners of recruiting firms in a thirty minute strategy session about their business.  With the exception of one person, the good news is they are all seeing nice increases in their businesses.  Some even saying they are getting a consistent flow of call-in job orders!

Despite this uptick in the business a few of the folks I spoke with were a bit "beat up" by the economy over the past year.  This is quite understandable.  However, I challenged them and I challenge you to "tend to your mind".

Recruiting Firm Owners: Are You Keeping Poor Performers Too Long?

OK, for all you Bleeding Hearts out there, I apologize in advance for what I am about to say.

In my work with recruiting firm owners I see 2 common problems as it relates to tenured recruiters who are producing poor results right now.  In my conversations with the owners they have a sense of loyalty to these people.  I agree.  But shouldn't there be a reciprocal sense of loyalty from them?

I don't mean loyalty in the "hangin' around" mode.  I mean a sense of loyalty in stepping up the activity to help you through the downturn.  Don't get me wrong, many are.  I speak only of those recruiters who have mentally "gone fishing" for the recession because the thought of making 80 or 90 calls again makes them sick to their stomach.

My gut tells me you are paying these people a draw and/or salary.  Correct?  Is this money down the drain?  If you have someone on your recruiting team you owe them leadership and you need to wake them up.

Here's some ideas: