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I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Ged Walsh, the Managing Director of Everpool, on our recruitment, Marketing, and Sales podcast. Ged’s journey in recruitment spans an impressive 25 years, and his wealth of experience shines through in our conversation.
Ged’s career didn’t start in recruitment. He began in retail, working in area management and FMCG, including a stint at George Davis’s head office. In 1999, he made the leap into retail recruitment, initially part-time, while setting up a catering business. However, his success in recruitment – building £160K in just ten months – led him to focus on this career path full-time.
From there, Ged’s entrepreneurial spirit took flight. He co-founded a retail recruitment business that grew to a £2.5 million turnover with 30 employees.
Despite facing challenges during the 2008 recession, Ged persevered, venturing into legal recruitment and later health and social care.
His journey eventually led him to Everpool recruitment, where he now serves as Managing Director. Ged’s diverse experience in various sectors and ability to adapt to market changes make him a valuable and inspirational voice for fellow business owners in the recruitment sector.
Ged shared several areas he thinks are key to building a successful business.
Building a Unique Value Proposition
One of the key topics we discussed was how Ged established Everpool’s unique value proposition. Ged emphasises the importance of quality service and a consultative approach in today’s rapidly changing recruitment landscape.
“We’re not an agency; we’re a consultancy because we’re different,” Ged explains. His focus is on changing lives – not just for candidates but for his team members and clients as well. This mission underpins everything Everpool does, from its approach to recruitment to its company culture.
Ged’s vision for Everpool is to be an ethical and outstanding permanent recruitment service that delights customers by motivating and inspiring colleagues. It’s about offering more than just job listings – creating mutually beneficial partnerships with clients whose values align with theirs.
This approach has shaped Everpool’s recruiting strategy for their team. Ged prioritises flexibility, trust, and a strong set of company values including integrity, inclusivity, and respect. He believes in treating team members like adults, allowing them to manage their own time and work in a way that suits them best.
Embracing Technology in Recruitment
We also delved into how Everpool has approached the technological advancements in recruitment, particularly in light of the rapid digital transformation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ged acknowledges the importance of having an efficient CRM system and utilising various digital tools for lead generation, email marketing, and branding. However, he maintains that at its core, recruitment is still about people buying from people.
“The digital transformation around it can make it smarter rather than harder,” he emphasises the need to balance technology with the human touch, using digital tools to enhance efficiency while still focusing on building strong relationships with clients and candidates.
Measuring Success: Beyond Traditional KPIs
When it comes to measuring success, Ged takes a unique approach. Rather than focusing solely on traditional KPIs, he emphasises the importance of service quality and client relationships.
Everpool works on a ratio system, aiming for one placement for every two candidates submitted. This focus on quality over quantity ensures they send genuinely interested and suitable candidates to their clients.
Ged stresses the importance of thoroughly understanding the client’s needs and the candidate’s aspirations. This includes delving deep into the client’s company culture, onboarding process, and long-term strategies – information many recruiters might overlook.
Building and Maintaining Client Relationships
One of the most valuable insights Ged shared was about managing client relationships. He advocates for a partnership approach, where recruiters act as an extension of the client’s brand.
“It’s about living and understanding what the client wants,” Ged explains. This involves regular reviews and meetings, discussing immediate hiring needs and the client’s growth strategies, pain points, and company culture.
Ged encourages recruiters to be proactive, asking questions beyond immediate job requirements. Understanding the client’s onboarding process, training programmes, and retention strategies allows recruiters to match candidates better and add real value to the client’s business.
Time Management for Busy Recruitment Leaders
As a busy MD, Ged has a refreshing perspective on time management. He views pressure as a privilege in his position and doesn’t see work-life balance as a struggle because he genuinely enjoys what he does.
“If you enjoy it, why can’t you be balanced around it?” Ged asks. He advocates working smartly and efficiently rather than putting in excessive hours.
His approach is to empower his team to set their targets and manage their time effectively.
Advice for New Recruitment Business Owners
For those starting out in the recruitment business, Ged offers several pieces of wisdom:
- Be supportive and open with your team.
- Make decisions collaboratively.
- Have tough conversations when necessary, but do so with integrity and respect.
- Develop strong people management skills, including coaching and development.
- Listen more than you talk.
- Allow team members to set their targets and goals.
Key Decisions for Business Success
Ged attributes much of his success to a few pivotal decisions.
- Continually building and nurturing client relationships.
- Exploring new business opportunities within existing clients.
- Diversifying into multiple sectors to avoid over-reliance on a few large contracts.
- Expanding into public sector recruitment through framework agreements.
The One Piece of Advice
When asked for his one piece of advice for other business owners, Ged offers this gem: “You don’t have to take every opportunity that comes your way.”
He advocates for being selective about clients, ensuring they align with your values and business goals. Sometimes, walking away from an opportunity that’s not the right fit can be the best decision for your business.
Ged gave so many valuable insights for recruitment business owners. His journey from retail to building successful recruitment businesses offers inspiration and practical advice for those in the industry. Ged has created a thriving business model that others can learn from by focusing on quality service, embracing technology while maintaining the human touch, and building strong, value-aligned client partnerships.
Remember, in the ever-changing world of recruitment, it’s not just about filling positions – it’s about changing lives and adding real value to candidates and clients.
To find out more about Everpool, visit their website here.
