This is a series of general election puns isn’t it?

It was borderline irresistible!

And it’s all linked to starting up my own recruitment business…

Candidates…see what we did there?

Of course. Running a recruitment business means looking after candidates. But what’s with the ‘Am I a candidate’?

Ah. We like helping recruitment professionals to start their own businesses. But to get our vote ….

Enough!

Sorry. Bear with us. To get our approval and backing you do need to tick certain boxes.

I’ll let that one go. Explain the boxes I need to tick.

You need to have five years current experience in recruitment. Unbroken. And ideally you need to have spent maybe the last three of them in a particular sector; maybe running a desk or team.

I qualify.

Good. So, hate to ask, but with that experience why haven’t you elected (sorry!) to start your own recruitment business already?

Fair question. The truth is I’ve found too many obstacles. Full funding was the start point – or not if you see what I mean. Then there was the whole setting up a business thing – the legals and so on. Even when I’d got my head around that I was floundering in trying to sort out branding, premises, systems, I.T. and organising credit with the media.  It all got a bit too much. 

It’s not an unfamiliar story. Still surprising in a way though given the entrepreneurial drive that you obviously have – along with a lot of recruitment consultants out there.

Ultimately I suppose it was down to the bank though. They didn’t like the exposure and didn’t give me their vote.

See – you’re doing it now! Just suppose there was someone prepared to back you. Really back you, across all those areas you listed.

And who might that be?

Us! We at The Recruit Venture Group provide a complete package for startup recruitment businesses. You get shares in, and dividends from, your own company. Backed with 100% funding you’ll also have access to our back office systems and support.

All the legals, the branding, the I.T. – we do that too.

I’m going to have say it, YOU get my vote.

It had to be said! But before you get our’s we need to talk. Tick all those boxes about experience and you’re off to a great start. Then we’ll outline your business plan together, shape your ideas and let us know your objectives, and we’re really on to something.

You mean I need a manifesto.

Oh, very good. But truthfully, if you want to convince us you’re a candidate good enough to look after your own candidates – and clients – not to mention also get our backing, we do need to talk.

 

Two top attributes for business success and definitely worth considering when it comes to starting your own recruitment business

Taking ownership – means taking responsibility and not making excuses; and focus, means not allowing yourself to be distracted.

These attributes come out as 1 and 2 in recent findings recorded about how to succeed.

And you’re telling me this because?

Because you’re thinking of starting your own recruitment company. Are you not?

Well, yes, I am. But I wasn’t looking for management training as such.

It’s not about management training. It’s about the fact that in our experience – which is quite considerable – those top two attributes chime rather well with starting your own recruitment business.

Ok. Ownership is pretty obvious. As in ‘owning my own business’.

A bit literal, but yes. More importantly though, to do it you really do need to get on with it, take responsibility and stop making excuses. Only you can do it. And if you don’t commit to making it happen it won’t. No ownership. No ownership.

I do see what you mean. Slight feelings of guilt creeping in here, but there are a lot of things to consider.

Definitely.  Doubtless you’re worried about finding the funding, setting up the company and – just a guess – maintaining something like your current lifestyle because there’s a risk involved.

Pretty much that. Yes. Care to elaborate on focus?

Certainly. Some of it is right there. When you’re fretting about all of those things, instead of taking ownership of them, you’re already losing focus. Focus on what it is you want to achieve. In this case starting your recruitment business. Zero in on the tasks to be undertaken in order to achieve it. When you do, it starts to happen.

All good motivational stuff. But, I do need to get all of those problems solved. And that can be distracting.

Let’s take a look at what you need to do. The funding, as you say. You’re right again to mention the legal process of setting up the company. Then there are the startup issues like finding premises, sorting and creating your branding, organising software – and hardware – to run fully road tested systems from the start. You’re not going to get far without them. Admin needs to be top notch from day one – payroll, client and candidate data. And, you’re right again, you need to feel comfortable about your own financial position – paying you mortgage and bills. You’re worried about the risk.

Not wanting to argue, but you have to agree that’s all pretty distracting, making it difficult to focus. And as to ownership – it’s not all down to me is it?

It could be down to us.

How so?

Our start up package is designed to help you get going, and get growing. Helping recruitment professional start up on their own is what The Recruit Venture Group do. With full financial backing to launch your business, plus the autonomy that comes with shares and dividends, you can get on with what you do well. With our complete back office and support system you can do it better. We’ll tick all those boxes, from branding to the building; from computers to registering with companies House.  And, with the ability to pay yourself a salary from day one you can run your own recruitment business – without running a risk.

I think I can focus on that. How do I get started?

 Have you got five years experience in recruitment, and ideally spent the past three of them working in a specific sector?

 

As in – ‘I’ve got lots of candidates for you’?

Well, yes, but it’s not quite as straightforward as that.

But we’re talking recruitment – how does it get more complicated than providing the right candidates?

We’re talking about startup recruitment – and that does bring challenges.

No de- motivation, please! I’m seriously considering starting my own recruitment business.

Excellent. Let’s talk some more. But first, you need to seriously consider this. As a startup recruitment consultancy you’re going to have a whole load of things to do. And amongst it all, and pretty much top of the list, come two things.

Two things?

Two things. You need to find candidates and you need to find clients. Finding the candidates – you know how to do that. And with your experience you know how to find clients too. The difference is that as a startup you may well find it harder to convince a client to run with you.

Why? With a long list of candidates to meet their needs why would they not jump at the chance of working with me and my shiny new recruitment consultancy?

There’s the word for you right there. New. There’s no reason to assume that your enthusiasm, rates and list of candidates won’t impress them. But you’re ‘new’. So, says new potential client to themselves – ‘Do they have track record? Are they financially secure? Will they able to cope?

Hmm. I do sort of get that. Reluctantly!

Hate to say this, but there is another problem linked to all of this.

Let’s hear it then.

The bank. They get nervous too about a brand new business. Probably not blessed with a real understanding of recruitment your bank manager will watch your cash flow like the proverbial hawk.

I’ve got five years’

experience in recruitment. For the last three years I’ve been running a sector specific desk. I have loads of ideas about how to deliver a great recruitment service by running my own business.  And now, given this discussion – I think I’ll just shelve the idea.

Now hold on.  First off, your CV sounds like you’re just the sort of person we like to talk to. Secondly, we didn’t say it was impossible. In fact there’s a very good way around the sort of problems we were outlining.

And that is?

Our way. At The Recruit Venture Group we like to think that our way is your way. Your way ahead is to start your own recruitment business. Our way is to provide you with the finance and freedom to do it. Your way needs capital to launch and shares in your own business. Our way is to deliver all of that – and then support you with a full back office system.

Sounds great, but how does all of that – as attractive as it sounds – solve those problems?

Think about it. If you’re able to explain to potential clients that you have full, solid, financial backing; that you have robust cash flow and that you have industry compliant, road tested, systems to handle the work – you’re going to overcome their worries.

You mean I’ll sound like a reliable recruitment business from day one?

You’ll be a reliable recruitment business from day one! And what’s more, with the business backed so reliably by us you’ll be able to draw a proper salary from day one. Which means you can concentrate on what matters; going out to find new clients.

Who will trust me with their business?

Ok. It looks like we’re about to go round again. Talk to us.

How?

Email us at info@recruitventures.com or contact us below.

 

Recruitment businesses need technology – but technology is too expensive when you’re starting up.  Or is it?

 

Talk me through that again.

It goes like this.  We talk to a lot of people in recruitment. And a lot of people who want to start their own recruitment businesses. We found that one of the biggest worries they had was – the technology.

Why is technology a worry?

The fact is, you’ve got to have it. You can’t operate your business without a robust, reliable systems to process applications and maintain client and candidate data. But, as a startup, you’ve got a lot of costs to address already, Premises, Furniture. Stationery. Website. Hardware and the software. All essential but you’ve still got to get that technology – and the technology can be expensive.

It could be worse than you think!

We’re experts in this field if you don’t mind.

No offense. But I’m really fired up about delivering an outstanding service through my own recruitment company. And to do that I’m thinking about Client Relationship Management systems, and tracking candidate data, as well as monitoring industry and market trends. And all that means more technology.

You’re absolutely right. And you haven’t even mentioned the management of the financial side of your business.

The financial side?

Definitely. Think you’ll find that the processing and tracking of payments and invoices rather needs some technology too.

Point taken. In fact several points taken. Technology is vital for a recruitment startup. It affects many aspects of the business. You can’t grow without it. And it’s expensive for a start up to get it.

That’s about the size of it! But here’s the thing. At The Recruit Venture Group we specialise in backing startup recruitment businesses. Full initial funding is just part of the package. You also get access to a complete back office and support system.

Say again!

You also get access to a complete back office and support system. We’re there to provide the technology. From the financials and invoicing to the CRM and analysis, we support you so that you can run your own business.

And it is my own business?

Totally. You’ll get shares in, and dividends from, your own company. Backed by us you’ll be able to draw a salary from day one. You run the business, without running the risk.

So what do I need?

Drive, ambition, entrepreneurial flair……

Can we be a bit more specific?

Realistically you need around five years’ experience in recruitment, and ideally about three of those specialising in a particular sector. Let’s talk about it.

 

This sounds like a warning.

 Let’s call it practical advice. Like any business, you’ll have fixed costs. Rental or lease for premises, utilities, salaries – including your own – media costs, car. To name but a few.

I’d been thinking about this.

Good, then you’re thinking of starting your own recruitment business?

I am. But specifically, I was thinking that when I start up I’ll still have my own personal bills to pay. My lifestyle to maintain. So I was interested to hear you mention my own salary there. Among all those other costs.

 Let’s take this one step at a time. First, the business. All of those running costs, which will be fixed, are a challenge anyway, but remember, they only kick in when you’ve started. And you’ve got to get funding to getting started.

Now it really is sounding like a warning.

 On the contrary. It’s just a question of looking at the overall picture. You want to start your own recruitment business. That means you need funding. You want to run it, and grow it, and that means fixed costs have to be addressed. Borrow the money to fund the launch and the repayments become another fixed cost.

I don’t like it, but I see it.

 Then let’s move on. You want to concentrate on the business, naturally, but just think of the demands of those costs. There are the financial ones of course, but also there are the administrative issues. You’ll need to be dealing with the bank – for your loan – the landlord, the computer suppliers, the job boards, the software company, the utility companies. And then you’ll need to run – and fund – the salaries. It’s a lot to think about. When you want to be thinking about growing the business.

So how do I get a fix on all of that?

Glad you asked that. Well at The Recruit Venture Group we help recruitment professionals start their own businesses. With zero financial risk from our 100% funding package, plus shares and dividends, we leave you free to concentrate on starting up and provide a full back office and support system from day one.

And all those other costs?

We’re here to help you find premises and sort out the ‘legals’. We look after your cash flow, even your invoicing. We’ll provide back up so your software and systems costs are all part of the package, and with our funding, you won’t be chased by your bank manager.

Except my personal bank manager might be on my case.

Let’s get back to you then, and the point you made earlier. Properly funded and free to concentrate on the business, you’ll be able to draw a salary from the day you launch your business.

That’s reassuring. But what do I need to bring to the party?

 Let’s be honest here. You’re going to need a business plan. But, if you’ve got five years’ experience in recruitment, and if you’ve worked in a specific sector for two or three of those years, you’re the sort of person we like to talk to. That is if you’re genuinely interested in starting up on your own.

I am. And this whole fixed cost thing does make sense.

It certainly does when you look at it this way. With us, as your backers and ‘overall provider’ you can really get a fix on them. They’re all in ‘one box’ making life easier for you. It frees you up to do what you do best. And what you want to do.

I want to talk to you about all of this. How do we start that process?

Contact us… email info@recruitventures.com or click below.

 

When it comes to starting your own recruitment company, think niche. It’s nice!

Niche. Nice. I see what you did there. But what do you mean?

It’s a point, and thanks for saying it’s a nice one, that covers several factors.

Talk me through them.

Right. First off, the signs for the rest of 2017 point to the recruitment process getting quicker and quicker. Sought-after skills – there’s still a gap – will fuel that. Client companies want to find people – quickly.

So why is a niche so – nice?

Because specialist knowledge will empower you; by knowing your way around a specific industry or sector you’ll be able to deliver – quickly.

I see.

And there’s more. The client sectors are becoming more niche driven too – which means the more specialist knowledge you have – the more attractive you are to them. Think about the way finance, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture are all developing specialisms within themselves. They all now have their own analysts, I.T specialists and research facilities.

And every one of them is another target sector for a recruitment business.

That’s it! And it’s going to continue. The experts’ opinion is that niches thrive in parallel with major market sectors.

So – if I start a recruitment business it should be a specifically specialist recruitment business.

It’s not necessary to go quite that far. Spreading your net is no bad idea. Eggs and baskets…But, here’s the thing. If you’re the sort of person we’re looking to help, then specialist knowledge is definitely a factor.

You’re breaking up….I’m not sure I’m following this.

At The Recruit Venture Group we provide a complete package for start-up recruitment businesses. You get shares in, and dividends from, your own company. Backed with 100% funding you’ll also have access to our back office systems and support.

Sounds great. But the specialist thing?

The fact is that the people we find, as the best ones to support typically have about five years recruitment experience, and usually three of those years have been spent consecutively in a specific sector, running a desk or team. Sound like you?

It does actually. I know enough about the sector I’ve been working with to really have a go on my own. And my overall knowledge and experience mean I can more than hold my own in the wider market.

We rather like the sound of you!

Shares, dividends, my own business – it all sounds great. But I’ve got a mortgage to pay!

Get that. With our backing and support, you’ll be able to pay yourself a proper salary from day one. And that means you can concentrate on the business. Peace of mind is important.

So, put my experience in a niche to work, in my own business, at a time when there’s potential in niche markets. 

We really couldn’t have put that better ourselves!

How do we talk about this?

e mail us at info@recruitventures.com. We can talk about your niche.

 

Thinking of starting your own recruitment company?  You’re not going to let a little thing like an election stop you are you.

I really thought the ‘snap’ election story had been well and truly covered.

No question about that! And it’s not over yet. Sorry to raise it again, it’s just that things like elections and referendums sometimes become, to be frank, excuses for not getting on with things.

Be honest.  Things were uncertain enough anyway, and this makes life even more unpredictable. Doesn’t it?

So when was “life” not unpredictable? Ask the pollsters!

That is a good point about the pollsters, but surely this is a time for caution.

No more than any other. Look at it this way. All the parties are promising that life will be better, and there will be more jobs if they win. So, whoever wins there are great opportunities for recruitment companies just around the corner!

Do I detect a note of satire?

Possibly! But only a slight one. In all seriousness, times of political change are not necessarily bad for entrepreneurs. In fact, they can be good. Businesses have to adapt, shift their strategies and make decisions as a result of change, and that volatility creates opportunities.

So, you’re saying wait for an election or major event before starting a business?

No, that wasn’t the point. The message is, don’t let an election or major event put you off. If you’re ready to start – start now.

But surely the banks and financial institutions will put the brakes on. I’m bound to get the ‘We’ll get back to you after the election’ story or the version that goes  ‘Wwe’re not able to commit at this present time’.

That’s really rather shrewd of you. Yes. It could happen. But funnily enough, that’s precisely where we can help.

Do tell.

We’re not a bank.  We’re specialists in helping recruitment professionals start their own companies. At The Recruit Venture Group, we provide a complete package for start-up recruitment businesses. You get shares in, and dividends from, your own company.  Backed with 100% start-up funding you’ll also have access to our back office systems and support.

And you’re not concerned about the political changes?

We’re a successful business, so of course we’re tuned into current events. But our overriding concern is you. Do you have, for example, five years experience in recruitment? Have you specialised in a sector for three years or so? Do you have the drive and business plan to make this happen?

As it happens, I think I do!

Excellent.

But I have a lifestyle and tThe risk of starting on my own is a threat to that.

Our start up package is designed to help you get going, and get growing. With full financial backing to launch your business, plus the autonomy that comes with those shares and dividends, you can get on with what you do well. With our complete back office and support system you can do it better.  And best of all, with your business properly backed and launched you can pay yourself a real salary from day one – which means your lifestyle doesn’t have to change.  Except for the better!

How can we start the process?

E mail us at info@recruitventures.com or click on the link below and we’ll be happy to talk it through with you.

 

 

Running your own recruitment company is exciting and rewarding. But take care of yourself as well as the business.

Are we talking gym membership here?

Far be it from us to discourage you from maintaining physical fitness. It’s vital. But actually, we’re thinking more of your mental health.

That seems to be something of a hot topic right now.

It is. And we’re not jumping on any bandwagon. It’s something we’ve been paying attention to for some time.

Your concern is commendable. But, to be honest, mental health being an issue is hardly motivational, is it?

Not an unreasonable reaction. The fact is though that the recruitment business is not without stress. You know that. You’ve got a few years’ experience now, probably run your own sector specific desk for three years or so, and you’ve felt the pressure.

I won’t deny it. Finding clients, finding candidates, meeting targets….

Exactly. And suppose you were running your own recruitment business…

See, there’s that motivational thing again. You’re reminding me of the stress of being an employee, and presumably, it only gets worse if I start up on my own as an employer!

That’s the point we’re coming to. Starting up on your own is stressful. Or it can be. Finding premises, launching your brand, sorting out the I.T and systems – and that’s without organising the financial backing to get started. And all of that when you really want to concentrate on getting on with building the business and putting your ideas into practice….

Precisely! And after it’s launched – I’ve got to run the business. I’m not seeing reduced stress here.

Hold on there, The Recruit Venture Group let you run your business, without running the risk. And without the stress.  We’ll provide all the funding you need to start up, plus shares and dividends.  You’ll be supported enough to pay yourself a proper salary from the start; another worry sorted. And finance aside, we’ll provide a full back office and support system.

This sounds like a plan!

It does, doesn’t it? But the point is that after we’ve helped you get started we stay with you. So many of the things that worry and stress new business owners are outside the actual ‘job’. Taxation, legal issues, cash flow, invoicing. It’s those things that pile up and pile on the pressure. With our support, you can take care of the business, and take care of your mental health too.

A worry-free business! Brilliant!

Whoa! We can’t promise that there will never be worries. The fact is that if you’re not worrying a bit about it you’re probably not giving it your all. What’s important is that with our help you’ll have mentoring, support and back up to give you the freedom to work sensibly, and the peace of mind that can only lead to a healthy mind.

This does make sense. It’s actually removed some of the worries I had about setting up on my own anyway.

Good. Let’s talk. Email us at info@recruitventures.com

You are ready to set up your own recruitment business. But are you ready for the changes and the responsibility?

I think so. It will be a big change of course but….

That’s not actually what we meant…

Sorry? I thought you meant the change from employee to employer…

Well, yes, we do, but we were being rather more specific than that. We can come back to the whole setting up your business thing, but meantime we wanted to mention the changes in legislation you’ll need to keep up with.

We’ve been here before, haven’t we?

Yes. Quite recently actually. We were talking about compliance and the need to have legal advice on hand. But this is something else. Or at least another example of how things change and why you need to stay on top of it all.

Do tell… 

We were thinking about the way responsibility for IR 35 is changing, and how it affects recruitment businesses.

This is to do with being self-employed or something?

Sort of. Look, let’s not go into too much detail but in a nutshell, the government is changing some rules. IR 35 is a piece of legislation that covers tax, and from now on when a recruiter places a contractor with the public sector, the contractor no longer determines their own tax status.

And that means what to a recruiter?

To put it bluntly, a lot of paperwork and calculations.

Is that really too big a challenge?

Possibly not for a person of your calibre. It’s just that you could be responsible for calculating tax and NIC on gross incomes, as if the person is employed, after allowable expenses. Then there’s the probability that you’ll need to hold money and pay HMRC each month and report on the pay run. Oh, and assume responsibility for the accuracy of reporting. Just saying.

It sounds complicated.

It’s not straightforward. You see, it’s not a question of whether or not a contractor is caught by IR 35; that hasn’t changed.  What has changed is the responsibility for determining IR 35 status.

I thought you said we needn’t go into too much detail…

Fair point. We don’t. Not here anyway. What we’re talking about is the fact that legislation changes all the time. This is just one example. It’s about you as a recruitment business having the knowledge, skills, and expertise to be up to speed with it all; all of the time.

I’m sensing that you can help. Or do I mean I’m hoping that you can help?

We can. The Recruit Venture Group specialise in backing start-up recruitment businesses. Full initial funding is just part of the package. You’ll also receive shares in and dividends from, your own business. Plus you have access to a complete back office and support system.

Our backing means you’ll be able to pay yourself a salary from the get-go, so you’ll be able to maintain your lifestyle and concentrate on the business. And – we have legal and taxation experts you can call on for advice at any time.

I’m beginning to feel reassured.

Good as we are here to help.

Help is good. But this would be my own business I’m setting up, Right?

Absolutely. You run it. But you don’t run the risk. And with legislative changes, there can be risks over and above the usual ones of starting a company. The IR 35 issue for example. It could prove really demanding, not to mention time-consuming for a recruiter to make sure that every single public sector candidate placed is being taxed correctly. And getting it wrong could mean paying the bill!

See – now I’m getting worried again!

There’s no need. Look at it this way. You’re going to be running your own business, but with the backup and support to let you concentrate on just that. Running the business.

Ok. I’m excited again. How do I start talking to you?

Email us at info@recruitventures.com We’ll get you into business, and let you get on with the business.