Hiring & Inspiring

In this episode, I catch up with Liam Davis, the founder of Better People Group, a recruitment agency in the education sector. 

Liam shares his journey of launching a business at a young age, discussing the challenges he faced, the financial preparations he made, and the emotional impact of making his first deal. 

He emphasizes the importance of mindset, the need for a support network, and the lessons learned from his previous roles in recruitment. Liam also reflects on his achievements, future goals, and what success means to him as a business owner.

Takeaways

• Financial preparation is crucial before starting a business.
• Making the first deal brings immense relief and validation.
• Mindset is a significant challenge in recruitment.
• Having a support network is essential for motivation.
• It's important to stay true to professional values.
• Understanding financial metrics like net profit is vital.
• Success requires a long-term commitment and effort.
• Balancing work and personal life is a continuous challenge.
• Success is defined by flexibility and the ability to impact others.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Liam Davis and His Journey
01:12 The Challenges of Launching a Recruitment Business
04:15 Financial Preparations for Starting a Business
07:10 The Emotional Impact of Making Your First Deal
08:51 Mindset Challenges in Recruitment
12:45 Building a Support Network
15:28 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
17:47 Balancing Work and Personal Life
20:04 Pride in Achievements and Future Goals
23:22 Reflecting on Past Experiences
25:59 Defining Success and Personal Motivation

Check out Liam below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamadavis1/

This epsiode is in partnerhsip wiht Recview:

https://recview.ai/

In this episode, I catch up with Tian Leong, a recruitment professional at Talent Forge Australia, discussing the challenges and strategies in winning new clients in the recruitment industry. 

We explore the effectiveness of cold calling, email prospecting, networking at events, and leveraging LinkedIn for client acquisition. 

Tian shares personal experiences, success stories, and insights on overcoming obstacles in the recruitment process, emphasizing the importance of building genuine relationships and maintaining a proactive mindset.

Takeaways

• Cold calling remains a foundational method for winning clients.
• Personalization in emails significantly increases response rates.
• In person networking should focus on building genuine connections, not just selling.
• Follow-up after events is crucial for solidifying relationships.
• Utilizing LinkedIn effectively can enhance client outreach.
• Overcoming the fear of cold calling is a continuous process.
• Developing intangibles like communication skills is essential for success.
• Consistency in outreach efforts leads to better results.
• Understanding client needs through research is vital for effective communication.
• Maintaining a proactive mindset is key to achieving recruitment goals.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Recruitment Challenges
02:50 The Importance of Cold Calling
05:47 Strategies for Effective Cold Calling
09:04 Overcoming Cold Calling Fears
12:14 Success Stories from Cold Calls
15:10 Email Prospecting Techniques
17:54 Networking at In-Person Events
21:13 The Power of Follow-Up
23:53 Leveraging LinkedIn for Client Acquisition
26:59 Future Goals in Recruitment

Check out Tian below :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tianleong10/

This epsiode is in partnership with Recview :

https://recview.ai/

In this episode, I catch up with Julia Ayoub, a principal consultant at Sirius specializing in blue collar recruitment. Julia shares her insights on the fast-paced nature of the industry, the importance of building trust with candidates and clients, and the need for tenacity and proactive strategies in recruitment. 

She discusses her journey in the recruitment field, the challenges she faced, and how she achieved success and promotions in a short time. Julia emphasizes the significance of understanding candidates' motivations and the consultative approach to recruitment, aiming to make a positive impact on both clients and candidates.

Takeaways

• Julia emphasizes the importance of being proactive in recruitment.
• Building trust with clients and candidates is crucial for success.
• The fast-paced nature of blue collar recruitment requires quick thinking.
• Time management is essential for handling multiple roles effectively.
• Understanding the client's business and pain points leads to better placements.
• Tenacity and resilience are key traits for recruiters in challenging situations.
• Success in recruitment is not just about filling roles, but providing solutions.
• Julia's journey highlights the importance of accountability in personal growth.
• Changing the recruitment game involves seeing beyond resumes and traditional criteria.
• Making a positive impact on candidates and clients is Julia's driving motivation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Julia Ayoub and Her Role
01:10 Current State of Recruitment in Blue Collar Industries
03:15 The Fast-Paced Nature of Blue Collar Recruitment
05:40 Time Management and Proactive Recruitment Strategies
08:23 Building Trust with Candidates and Clients
10:20 Consultative Approach to Recruitment
12:57 The Importance of Tenacity in Recruitment
15:29 Achieving Success and Promotions in Recruitment
18:13 Taking Accountability for Personal Growth
19:54 Changing the Recruitment Game
23:19 Future Aspirations and Goals
25:17 The Personal 'Why' Behind Recruitment

Check out Julia below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-ayoub-recruitment/

This epsiode is in partnership with Recview

In this episode I catch up with Sheniah Richardson, founder of Richardson Recruitment, who shares her journey in the recruitment industry, focusing on logistics. Sheniah discusses her experiences launching her own business, the importance of networking, and the current state of the logistics job market. 

She emphasizes her strengths in headhunting and building relationships, while also providing valuable advice for new recruiters. Sheniah reflects on her career growth, the challenges of being a solo business owner, and her passion for making a positive impact in people's lives through recruitment.

Takeaways:

• Network is everything in recruitment.
• Securing new clients is a strength for Sheniah.
• Logistics offers diverse and dynamic job opportunities.
• Headhunting is a key strength of hers in recruitment.
• Building relationships is crucial for success.
• Never make assumptions about candidates' past experiences.
• Helping people find the right job is rewarding.
• It's important to remain professional and authentic.
• Recruiting in a niche area is beneficial for expertise.
• Success in recruitment is about making an impact.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sheniah Richardson and Her Journey
01:07 Launching Richardson Recruitment: Early Experiences
03:06 Building a Brand and Network in Recruitment
05:10 Understanding the Logistics Job Market
07:41 Headhunting: Strategies and Strengths
10:06 Advice for New Recruiters: Building a Niche Network
12:53 Passion for the Supply Chain Industry
14:15 Success Stories in Headhunting
17:40 Reflecting on Career Growth and Development
20:31 Challenges of Being a Solo Business Owner
22:24 Future Plans for Richardson Recruitment
23:32 The Why Behind Recruitment: Making an Impact

Check out Sheniah below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheniahrichardson/

This epsiode is in partnership with Recview:

https://recview.ai/

In this episode, I catch up with June Ponseca, a principal candidate consultant at Talent Forge, who shares her journey in recruitment, insights on building relationships with candidates, and strategies for sourcing hidden gems in the job market. 

June discusses her day-to-day activities, the importance of understanding candidate motivations, and the challenges she enjoys in her role. She emphasizes the significance of transparency and authenticity in recruitment, as well as her goals for continuous learning and growth in the industry.

Takeaways:

• Building relationships with candidates is crucial for success.
• Authentic conversations help in understanding candidate motivations.
• Sourcing passive candidates can yield great results.
• Using open-ended questions can reveal deeper insights.
• Transparency with candidates and clients is key.
• Crafting enticing outreach messages is essential.
• Continuous learning is important in the recruitment field.
• Success in recruitment is about making a positive impact.
• June enjoys the challenges and growth opportunities in recruitment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to June Ponseca
02:38 June's Journey in Recruitment
05:34 Daily Responsibilities of a Candidate Consultant
09:57 Building Relationships with Candidates
13:03 Understanding Candidate Motivations
16:31 Consultative Approach in Recruitment
17:40 Sourcing Hidden Gems
22:37 Effective Communication with Passive Candidates
24:54 The Essence of Recruitment
27:15 Goals and Aspirations in Recruitment
28:31 Defining Success in Recruitment

Check out June below :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/june-marie-ponseca/

This episode is in partnership with Recview:

https://recview.ai/

In this solo episode, I reflects on the challenges faced in the recruitment industry during the first quarter of 2025. I discuss the struggles many recruiters are experiencing, the importance of returning to basic recruitment strategies, and the need to redefine success in a tough market. 

I hope to emphasize the significance of maintaining high activity levels, staying optimistic, and finding meaning in the work despite the challenges.

Takeaways

• A lot of recruiters are struggling with client acquisition.
• Returning to basics is essential for success in recruitment.
• High activity levels are crucial in a tough market.
• Redefining success can help maintain motivation.
• Optimism should outweigh pessimism in sales roles.
• Finding meaning in work can provide personal fulfillment.
• Staying in the game is a valid form of success.
• Your energy and attitude impact client interactions.
• Helping others is what people remember you for.

Chapters

00:00 Reflecting on Q1 2025
07:45 Back to Basics: Activity is Key
12:41 Redefining Success in Recruitment
17:46 The Importance of Optimism and Attitude
18:58 Finding Meaning Beyond Numbers

This episode is in partnership with Recview.

https://recview.ai/

In this epsiode, I catch up with Stephen Reddy, a healthcare recruitment expert with extensive experience in startup environments. 

We discuss the current state of the recruitment market in 2025, the challenges faced in the industry, and the importance of building meaningful relationships over focusing solely on revenue. 

Steven shares insights from his journey in recruitment, emphasizing the need for deep industry knowledge, resilience, and the excitement of building a brand from scratch. He also reflects on his leadership journey and the impact he aims to have on candidates' lives.

Takeaways

• Clients are more proactive in their recruitment strategies.
• The demand for permanent workforce is increasing, posing challenges for interim recruitment.
• Building a recruitment startup requires foundational work and flexibility.
• Success in recruitment is measured by relationships, not just revenue.
• Deep industry knowledge is crucial for success in a startup environment.
• Resilience is key in overcoming challenges in recruitment.
• The excitement of building a brand from scratch is a unique opportunity.
• Learning from failures is essential for growth in recruitment.
• The ultimate goal in recruitment is to positively impact candidates' lives.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Recruitment and 2025 Outlook
03:01 Challenges in Recruitment: Demand for Permanent Workforce
06:05 Building from the Ground Up: Startup Recruitment Experience
09:09 Success Metrics: Relationships Over Revenue
11:59 Advice for Aspiring Recruiters in Startups
14:46 Traits of Successful Recruiters in Startups
17:54 The Excitement of Building a Brand
20:49 Learning from Failures and Evolving as a Recruiter
24:00 Future Goals and Leadership Development
26:55 The Impact of Recruitment: Changing Lives

Check out Stephen below :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenreddy/

This episode is in partnership with Recview:

https://recview.ai/

In this episode I catch up with Andrea Collins, an experienced recruitment professional and rec2rec business owner. 

We explore the challenges faced by recruiters in 2025, the importance of building strong client relationships, and the motivations driving candidates to seek new opportunities. 

Andrea shares insights on the pressure on new recruiters, retention strategies for experienced professionals, and the impact of technology, particularly AI, on the recruitment process. The conversation concludes with reflections on the value of experience in recruitment and Andrea's personal motivations for her work.

Takeaways

• There's optimism in the technology sector for 2025.
• Hiring processes are long and cautious.
• Recruiters face pressure to perform quickly.
• Building strong client relationships is key.
• Leadership is crucial for retaining mid-level recruiters.
• Candidates are seeking change due to poor leadership.
• AI can streamline recruitment tasks.
• Experience in recruitment leads to confidence and ease.
• Activity equals results in recruitment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Andrea Collins and Current Recruitment Landscape
01:16 2025 Recruitment Trends and Challenges
04:12 Caution in Hiring: The Impact of Costs and Processes
06:00 Pressure on New Recruiters: Expectations and Performance
08:21 Building Strong Client Relationships and Business Ethos
13:16 Candidate Motivations: Why Recruiters are Seeking Change
16:07 Retention Strategies for Experienced Recruiters
19:56 Advice for Junior Recruiters: Navigating Career Paths
22:44 The Value of Experience in Recruitment
24:44 Embracing Technology: AI in Recruitment
28:17 The Future of Recruitment: Adapting to Change
30:04 Lessons Learned: The Importance of Activity in Recruitment
31:51 Future Goals and Personal Motivation in Recruitment

Check out Andrea below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/connectingrecruiters/?originalSubdomain=au

This episode is in partnership wiht Recview:

https://recview.ai/

In this episode I catch up with Sam Hope, the director of H People, a recruitment company specializing in logistics and manufacturing. 

Sam shares his journey of launching the business, the importance of goal setting, and the challenges he faced along the way. He discusses the significance of hiring and developing a strong team, his experience in the logistics industry, and the impact of building a personal brand. 

Sam emphasizes the need for ambition and drive in business and defines success in both personal and professional contexts.

Takeaways

• Setting goals is crucial for both personal and business growth.
• Accountability partners can help maintain focus on goals.
• Hiring individuals without prior experience can be rewarding.
• Building a personal brand is essential for success in recruitment.
• Understanding the industry you recruit for enhances effectiveness.
• Work-life balance is a challenge for entrepreneurs.
• Success is defined by both business achievements and personal fulfillment.
• Taking risks is necessary for growth and opportunity.
• Learning from clients and candidates is vital for industry knowledge.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sam Hope and H People
03:02 The Journey of Launching H People
06:03 The Importance of Goal Setting
08:54 Challenges in Business and Work-Life Balance
12:02 Hiring and Team Growth
15:10 Experience in Logistics and Recruitment
18:02 Passion for the Industry and Continuous Learning
20:04 Building a Personal Brand in Recruitment
20:26 Building a Personal Brand
28:50 Ambition and Drive
32:22 Taking Risks and Overcoming Fear
35:58 Defining Success

Check out Sam below :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samhpeople/

In this episode, I catch up with Lewis Houghton, an experienced recruiter and co-founder of LH Partners, a new recruitment business specializing in the drilling, mining and civil industry. 

Lewis shares insights on the challenges and rewards of launching a new venture, the importance of resilience in recruitment, and the value of building strong client relationships. He emphasizes the significance of specialization in the industry and the need for selectivity when choosing clients. The conversation also touches on the long-term vision for the business and the personal motivations behind their work.

Takeaways

• Building relationships with clients and candidates is crucial.
• Resilience is key in the recruitment industry due to its ups and downs.
• Being selective with clients leads to better partnerships and outcomes.
• It's important to treat candidates with empathy and respect.
• Finding a niche can help recruiters build a strong reputation.
• Long-term success comes from adding value to clients and candidates.
• Networking and creating connections is essential for growth.
• Success is defined by personal values and the impact on others.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lewis and LH Partners
01:12 The Launch of LH Partners
02:10 Specialization in Drilling and Mining
03:18 Focus Areas and Business Operations
05:10 Enjoying the Recruitment Process
06:57 Importance of Industry Experience
09:45 Finding Your Niche in Recruitment
15:43 The Role of Resilience in Recruitment
19:13 Developing Resilience
23:07 Being Selective with Clients
27:24 Advice for Struggling Recruiters
31:28 Future Goals for LH Partners
32:53 Defining Success

Check out Lewis below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-houghton-b98bb11b6/