1. 1 7 TOP TIPS FOR GROWING RECRUITMENT BUSINESSES Denise Walker FIRP www.absolutelybusiness.co.uk

2. 2 22 About me 26 years in recruitment 7 years at Reed - perm consultant, temps consultant, branch manager 12 years as founder/MD – small commercial business, temp and perm, grew to £4m, sold in MBO 7 years to date - helping recruitment businesses grow: worked with c 200 recruitment businesses, including 50 start-ups, various sectors Specialise in executive support, NED, leadership & management development, linking people development and operations with strategic goals

3. 3 33 About my clients SMEs and some larger SMEs Quality-led, people-centric, specialists in their sectors – ‘deep sea diving’ Examples of successes: Turnover growth from £1.7m - £4m (now working towards £8m) Re-introduction of proactive BD and account management to ensure EBITA of £1m Quantified increase in NFI of £375,000 in 18 months

4. 4 44 7 tips on what I see works

5. 5 55 1. Focus, cohesion, simplicity

6. 6 66 2. Differentiation

7. 7 77 3. ‘Lemon-squeezing’ Reproduced with kind permission of David Molian BGP, Cranfield University

8. 8 88 4. Work ON the business

9. 9 99 5. Develop strategic and business planning processes

10. 10 6. Develop people

11. 11 7. Measure, manage & maximise

12. 12 7 TOP TIPS FOR GROWING RECRUITMENT BUSINESSES Denise Walker FIRP www.absolutelybusiness.co.uk