I have been told it is good to Twitter, so I have started. Already people are following me, although I’ll be honest that I’m unclear as to the value of Twittering. You can follow me at https://twitter.com/samheadhunteruk
If it helps people find us, and helps us explain our market position, then we’re ahead.
Written by Martin Ellis – me@samheadhunting.com
Davis Antoine has joined SAM Headhunting this week. Welcome Davis!
Davis has a broad business background in sales, audit, (odd bedfellows I know, but it just goes to prove variety is the spice of our life!) compliance and financial services. For the last few years Davis has run his own recruitment company out of his central Milton Keynes office.
Davis joins us to beef up our franchise commitments, and also to strengthen our market position from his central location. He is a welcome addition to our partnership.
Davis also loves sport of any sort and still plays a mean game of hockey.
You can reach Davis on his mobile 0795 269 1373 , or on his email at dan@samheadhunting.com
Here we are. The Senior and Managing SAM Headhunting Partners from all over Europe and beyond. This photo was taken in Sweden at the end of May 2009 at one of ouir bi-annual meetings - We are BIG and we are connected!
The photo may be badly staged, but it is evidence of our size, scale, and connectivity.
If you require a real international headhunter, SAM’s your man (or woman!)
Written by Martin Ellis – me@samheadhunting.com
During my time with SAM, I have witnessed great growth and success as the business model has moved into new international markets. SAM’s market position of great speed at a great price seems to have a resonance where ever it’s applied.
I really pleased to see that we have now established 4 USA offices. Geographically they’re set on the Eastern side, but the USA is one network in one market, so geography is almost irrelevant, and the web makes borders disappear anyway.
Having spent quite a while working and managing a USA company with a UK parent, I know that SAM is well placed to take as much market share in the USA as it has done elsewhere. The American market looks for value as much as anywhere else, and the fact we can bring a truly international network to bear adds value to our proposition – especially to companies with an international footprint.
This morning I spoke with my colleague David Dunsmuir (born in Scotland and a Hearts supporter, so can’t be all bad) who’s based in Atlanta. It’s clear he’s keen to share the SAM success model around and set ourselves up against those who have been around headhunting in the USA for rather longer – they have a reputation, but they also have an infrastructure that adds to their cost and their clutter – our opportunity again!
Anybody wanting a different perspective on headhunting in the USA should either email David on dd@samheadhunting.com or call him at + 1 404 431 9043
Written by Martin Ellis – me@samheadhunting.com
Last March (2008) I started to see clients defer recruitment decisions - I reckon this was the first signs, for me, of the recession in the UK. Between then and now, things have been tough for headhunters………………..(note I don’t say impossible, just “tough”)
Last month (April 2009) I started to witness more firm recruitment decisions. I saw companies who want to sit on thier hands no longer. There is a market out there to conquer, and not making decisions is not getting anybody anywhere.
In April I saw more enquiries, more overseas interest, more business coming from our international SAM Partners, more new assignments than for 13 months.
The recession is not over, but in the interests of talking things up (we all know there are too many people talking things down!), I forecast things will visibly pick up at the end of the summer, and even the Daily Mail will report an upturn!
I’ll take a £100 bet with anybody that September will be the real start of better tomorrows.
Any takers?
Written by Martin Ellis – me@samheadhunting.com
If you’re looking for a headhunter you’ll have already asked the right questions; worked out if you’re happy with the fee; not been fooled by sector specialisation; and made sure you’re clear about service standards – all this issues are covered in this blog - look under “How to Choose a Headhunter”.
But……….
…………what happens after the search? How can you be sure you have a safety net when things don’t turn out as planned?
Make sure you get a guarantee that, if the candidate doesn’t work out, the headhunter will find you a replacement at no extra cost.
If the headhunter has done their work right, then the chance of things going awry are thin, but even so, the best laid plans of men often go astray. A good headhunter will stand by their work because they know they are likely to have chosen well, so the risk to them is low. You should get a 3 month guarantee without blinking; a 6 month guarantee may take more haggling, but stick to it. If they won’t guarantee their work, you’ll know exactly what to think and go elsewhere. There may be some sensible conditions, like not changing the job description after they’ve started, but don’t let that stand in your way.
Get a guarantee and get it in writing. It makes great business sense and will sort out those those who have the balls to stand by their work.
Written by Martin Ellis – me@samheadhunting.com
Posted in How to choose a headhunter | Tags: choose a headhunter, guarantees, headhunter, headhunter fee, headhunter fees, headhunter guarantee, headhunter required, headhunters, headhunting, headhunting fee, How to choose a headhunter, how to headhunt, pick a headhunter, sam headhunting, select a headhunter, www.samheadhunting.co.uk
To anybody in the franchise market the BFA is an essential and credible source of information, support, and direction.
The BFA pre-qualifies it’s members. This means potential franchisees know that members have been vetted against a strict code of practice, and should re-assure them that the franchisor will have the building blocks for a successful business.
There are credible franchisors outside the BFA, but potential investors should ensure they do their research on the business model and support systems before they commit to any investment.
The BFA gives sound advice on choosing a franchise at http://www.thebfa.org/choosing.asp
Written by Martin Ellis - me@samheadhunting.com
With increasing ranks of middle managers being at risk of redundancy, the alternative career options for them are ever more varied and interesting. Hunting for a new job at, say, 50 is not always easy, and the prospect of a return to the humdrum of 9 to 5 is not always attractive (It wasn’t to me when I was 50!).
Franchising is a real alternative. It can offer excitement and the possible opportunity t0 squeeze value from the skills and networks amassed during a glorious career. It’s certainly not for everybody, but for those looking for a quick start, new challenges, real ownership and a sense of personal pride, it can be a great and practical way to a new career and an outstanding income that directly reflects effort and hard work. Fortune favours the brave!
The range of available franchises now caters for a whole host of skills and experiences – it goes way beyond office cleaning, fast food and domestic services such as wheelie bin sanitizing and oven cleaning.
Those considering franchising should consider what they may get for their investment – the potential returns and support they can receive from a good operator can be impressive:
BRAND VALUE: Working under an established brand can help portray value in a competitive marketplace.
A QUICK START: Set up and systems are oven ready. Invoicing can start early!
PROVEN SYSTEMS: Why waste time re-inventing administrative routines?
MARKET TESTED: Good franchises will be able to share success stories from other franchisees.
A NETWORK TO SHARE: Franchises come with a network that may share customers, ideas, and support.
PASSION: Franchises are more often than not started with passion by people wanting to share an idea and grow a business as quickly as possible – share that passion!
GROW A BUSINESS WITH INHERENT VALUE: Franchisees don’t just take a wage and share in the profits, but can also build something that has a value that can be sold.
As somebody who left the corporate world at 50, and was determined never to return, I can only urge those looking for a new career to give franchising a real and serious think. Yes, there are good and bad franchises, and yes it can go wrong, and yes nothing is guaranteed, but a franchise, if properly researched, can provide a strong springboard for a real career change and a way to earn good money.
At SAM we are marketing 3 franchises in the UK:
SPORTS XTRA: see http://www.sports-xtra.com/
THE BUSINESS BOOSTER: see http://www.thebusinessbooster.co.uk/
LIFESTYLE ARCHITECTURE: see http://www.lifestylearchitecture.co.uk/
Each franchise appeals to a unique market segment and provides a range of revenue streams to keep risk at a minimum. These are only three alternatives. There are others out there to suit many tastes and ambitions (and investment requirements!)
If you’re thinking about franchising, call us for a chat. We will give you something else to think about and be clear about the potential risks and the rewards.
Written by Martin Ellis – me@samheadhunting.com
Despite all the talk of gloom, some companies are thriving right now and looking to grow their salesforce and establish a footprint in the UK while their competitors take shelter (whether it’s needed or not!).
We’re now looking for 10 sales people for Air2eua (great name by the way) all over the UK. The first 3 positions will be senior and set the benchmark for the others who join them through the year. The senior roles need office water sales experience, and the rest need B2B sales experience, preferably with rental sales experience.
The Air2eau water cooler distills water from the atmosphere and therefore has some unique benefits over competitor machines:
Air2eau have ambitious plans to grow, and want their people to grow with them.
If you are interested in this role, please ring Martin Ellis on 07823 887982, or write to him at me@samheadhunting.com
Written by Martin Ellis – me@samheadhunting.com
Posted in For Candidates | Tags: air2eau, headhunter, headhunters, headhunting, job search, office water, sales jobs, sam headhunting, water coolers, www.samheadhunting.co.uk
I really pleased that SAM Ireland and SAM UK will now operate together as one. This will give our clients and prospects the assurance of one consistent standard and one point of contact.
I’m also very pleased that Deirdre Mooney is joining our happy band – we are now lucky 13!
Deirdre has a broad business and recruitment experience in Ireland. As with all good SAM Partners, she has some great networks, especially as a legacy of her presidency of the South Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
Welcome Deirdre!
This new SAM union also means that the entire suite of SAM services is now offered in Ireland:
SAM Performance Management Service:
This management tools helps managers and leaders understand what makes their top individuals and teams tick by objectively measuring their behaviours and motivational preferences. For more information go to http://samheadhunting.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/sam-headhunting-performance-management-services/
SAM Career Transition Service
This service is designed to add a positive aspect to the process of redundancy. This service is offered to companies with a duty of care to all staff (those being made redundant, and those who will remain after restructuring), and customers and to give all on a focus on managing better futures. For more information go to http://samheadhunting.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/career-transition-services-making-downsizing-easier-for-all/
I know we all look forward to working with Deirdre and wish her and her clients much success and enjoyment for the future. You can reach Deirdre at dam@samheadhunting.com
Written by Martin Ellis – me@samheadhunting.com
