Client Testimonials
I had an interesting debate with a recruitment consultant last week, which changed my thinking about the sector. He made the following observations:-
a. Recruitment is the only sector where you expect your supplier to carry out all the work at his/her cost, and then decide if you want to buy or not. Would you expect 3 houses to be built to your spec, and then to decide whether you want any or not?
b. Our common approach of giving the same job to 3/4 agencies creates a particular ‘opportunistic’ behaviour which we then criticise. The agencies will rush, and sometimes cut corners, to be ‘first past the post’, and, if no early success, will rationalise that ' another agency will get it’. Hence the Pavlovian cli ent may not get his/her vacancy filled.
c . We shou ld be equally uncomfortable with the 'large retainer’ culture, the opposite extreme in terms of fair-play, ie agencies who regularly make retained fee income without ever filling the vacancies.
His agency’s approach was quite novel - exclusive relationship, but no retainer up front, and no fee until vacancy filled!....... unless the client withdraws or puts vacancy on hold - then clients pay a cancellation fee (sliding scale) dependent on where they are in the process.
I was impressed, as it kept me, the client, in control of the process, and the exclusive agency committed to getting a result!!
Thanks again, Pavlov!
Name and address supplied
