Recruiters: it’s time to look at the ways in which you can future-proof your business.
With the uncertainty of Brexit hanging over us, there’s never been a better time to think about how to bullet-proof your recruitment agency.
Chameleon-i is here for you and we want to help you stay ahead of the curve.
With our four tips, you can diversify your business and be ready for the future, whatever it may hold.
1. Assess your recruitment agency
Take a look at what you’ve got
As a recruitment agency, you deal with people daily. It’s a good idea to check that the software you use supports your business and that your candidates and clients on your database are up to date.
Data protection
By now all UK recruitment agencies should have aligned their practices with GDPR.
The way in which agencies collect, keep and use data must be looked at very closely.
If you are found not to be compliant with GDPR, one of two fines could occur, (whichever is higher):
- Up to €10 million or 2% annual global turnover
- Up to €20 million, of 4% annual global turnover
For agencies, as well as other businesses, three things must be focussed on:
- Responsibility
- Consent
- Transparency
Let’s delve into that, shall we?
Agencies must be responsible for compliance. Records and consent stages must be demonstrated between candidates and clients.
Consent must be granted when processing and users must know what their personal data is being used for.
Agencies must be transparent and provide candidates with details of roles and the role must be valid and specific.
You can find out more on this in our article GDPR doesn’t have to be difficult.
After Brexit
GDPR will no longer apply to UK organisations, however, the EU is currently implementing the 2018 Data Protection Act. This means that the country’s current regulations will conform to GDPR standards.
So what now?
The UK will be required to prove its data protection is adequate. This will ensure that UK-based organisations keep British data protection law aligned to that of the EU.
Right now, agencies should be looking to continue to demonstrate the importance of personal data compliance.
Data controller and processor agreements should be implemented, particularly if you are processing data from EU citizens.
Do you want further information?
Find out more about the Data Protection Act of 2018 at ico.org.uk.
The Chameleon-i GDPR Module
Chameleon-i users can benefit from the GDPR module. It’s a chance for you to make sure that you’re compliant.
Our GDPR module:
- Automatically creates GDPR contact lists
- Provides you with a free GDPR e-mail template
- Find out what happens after your automated GDPR e-mail is sent
Great news for Chameleon-i users!
Your recruitment agency will be able to stay on top of your data with our module. The free e-mail template can be sent to your contact list and the GDPR monitor can help you to see what your contact did after the e-mail was sent.
It’s a chance for you, as an agency owner to remind your database that you exist. It’s also a chance for you to give candidates the chance to update you with any new information they may have about themselves.
Importantly, it will give contacts a chance to be forgotten, in line with GDPR.
Phew.
2. Offer more recruitment services
Hello, how can I help?
With Brexit looming, we can predict that now may not be a popular time for people to be investing in shiny new offices.
So why would they want to invest in people as well?
In the future, it could be that businesses will be careful about employing full-time people.
A clever way to future-proof your recruitment agency is t try and see what else you can offer.
For example, if your organisation works with full-time staff, why not investigate supporting temporary or contractors as well?
Chameleon-i has the ability for you to quickly add on temporary and contract modules to your system.
It’s a chance for your agency to add more strings to your bow.
Temps Module
Our Temps module is designed to handle the fast-paced environment of temporary bookings.
Our Temps Grids include the following:
Main Calendar Grid
- Easy-to-navigate and fully searchable calendar
- See all your vacancies and shifts in one place
New Job Wizard
- Create simple or complicated shift patterns
- Set up Job title, number of people required, start/finish/break time, pay, charge, rates and payroll provider
Possible Candidates Tab
- Add candidates to vacancies using drag and drop
- Easy-to-use bulk or single e-mail and SMS functions available for contacting candidates
Shift Candidates Tab
- View all placed candidates and remove them from a single shit/multiple shifts
- Mark candidates as Checked In, No Show, or as a Leaver
- Easy-to-use bulk or single e-mail and SMS functions
Dashboard Tab
- View 4 weeks’ worth of weekly statistics
- View figures for the number of jobs, shifts, slots and filled slots
- See shifts and timesheet information
Edit Tab
- Adjust single and multiple shifts with the Edit tab
- Change the number of people, start/end time, as well as pay/charge rates
- Delete and copy shifts
Contract Module
The Chameleon-i Contract Module allows you to streamline and replace paper-based timesheet and invoice systems.
Easy!
Using our system, you can manage invoices for recruiters, and timesheets for clients and contractors.
If your recruitment system only offers full-time candidates, then it might be time to consider offering more.
Get in touch with us (or call us on +44 (0)1483 600370) to discuss Temps and Contract modules today.
3. Build your brand
Brainstorm ahead
When future-proofing your business, it’s important to concentrate on building your brand. Whether you’re big or small, creating a visual voice is important and can give weight to your marketing campaigns.
So how do you build a brand?
Brand building is an ongoing process which helps to define your organisation and its vision. Chameleon-i has many solutions to help your business look attractive.
Use GDPR marketing
With our GDPR Module, you can show a communication trail – this will not only keep you compliant but also will allow you to be professional.
It’s an opportunity for brands to get creative about their marketing.
Website marketing
It’s time to put some thought into your brand and how to go about website marketing.
If you haven’t done so already, get a website for your agency with Chameleon-i. We have several options to suit your needs and budget.
But don’t panic!
Before you get worried about needing a team of people to realise your website dream – there’s no need for a developer or a designer, we can do it all for you.
It’s your own corner of the internet to explain and boast about what your recruitment agency has to offer. It’s a way for you to show how you’re different to other agencies. It’s important to set yourself apart from the rest and show why you should be used above other organisations.
Your website should be:
- Enticing
- Informative
- Organised
- Attractive
- Responsive
Building your brand means building trust in your business. Not sure where to start? Learn how to build a trustworthy website with our advice.
E-mail marketing
A cohesive email design can help to solidify your business and should include your logo and company details. This will help make your agency look professional and promotes your brand in a positive way
Communications should be on-brand and with Applicant Grid e-mails, Chameleon-i users can enable automated e-mails, which can be used agency-wide.
This can help you to ensure the entirety of your recruiting staff is using:
- The same e-mail signatures
- The same font
- The same e-mail designs
Have you won awards? Send e-mails out detailing your nominations and wins.
Don’t be ashamed to toot your own horn!
You can also display these in your e-mail footers. If you’re proud of something, why not get everyone in your agency promoting it whenever they e-mail?
Build relationships with your clients
It’s up to you as the recruiter to remind your clients that you’re around, and willing to stay and help.
Keep in touch with your mailing list and let them know you’re around and show what you have to offer.
4. Take on an advisory role
What can you do?
In a recent survey, 44% of recruiters and HR managers said that the UK is now less attractive to EU candidates. While 39% have found international candidates are reluctant to move to London.
Jon Addison highlights that ‘With less international talent looking to the UK for career opportunities, businesses need to keep innovating to ensure they are winning in the way for talent.’
In other words, it’s important for recruitment agencies to look at what else they can do to help clients.
As a recruiter, for example, it might be a good idea to show clients how to get the most out of their employees.
This could include:
- Show how to identify weaknesses within the company
- Show how to up-skill your existing team
- Focussing on building a brand
Reorganise and future-proof teams
Back when Chameleon-i started during the recession, it was not uncommon for recruitment agencies to reduce in size. An office of 10 recruiters would drop to an office of 3 – people just couldn’t afford to retain staff. There wasn’t the opportunity to make money, because the jobs just weren’t out there for recruiters to place candidates in.
There is hope.
It’s advisable to start focusing inward and take the time to learn how your workforce engages with your business.
Using engagement software, you can help identify business opportunities for development and learning, and to find out how staff are engaging with their organisation.
With this information, businesses can make important decisions on their staff – if an employee isn’t engaged, is it time to find someone that is?
Recruiters can then help businesses to find that talent.
(So give yourself a pat on the back.)
The hiring landscape will become more competitive as teams will be needing to, as Addison says, ‘…hire talent not just for skills their business needs now but will need in six to 12 months’ time too.’
Offer support
Have a look at what else your recruitment agency can offer in terms of support. Work with organisations to offer a varied service from legal advice to cash flow – don’t get stuck being one type of agency.
Cover as many bases as you can and set yourself apart from everyone else.
Final thoughts
It is a time of uncertainty for many industries.
By now using our guide, you should have some great ideas on how to future-proof your business.
To recap, you could be looking to:
- Assess your recruitment agency
- Offer more recruitment services
- Build your brand
- Take on an advisory role
Now is the perfect chance to take a step back and look at your business as a whole – what you offer, and how you can improve things for your clients.
If you would like to discuss our GDPR module, website options or anything else we can help you with, please contact us and we will be happy to chat.
