I love working as part of the Stopgap Group, not least because it’s a values driven business that places the welfare of its people and the quality of service given to clients and candidates at the very top of its priorities. Consultants have always been rewarded on feedback – since the day the business was launched 17 years ago – and we always look for consultants with who have compassion, a real interest in people and a genuine desire to make a difference, rather than just sales skills.
We’re empowered too, and all encouraged to contribute to the future direction of the business…a group of us will be embarking on a series of Blue Ocean Strategy planning exercises with the management team, and a similar group have recently been entrusted with redefining our core values.
That’s right, no-one is hitting us with harder targets, tightening KPIs and threats over not making fee forecasts…they’re asking us to help shape everything that the business stands for and how it will operate in the future.
And we’re now looking to the future with a new set of Guiding Principles which I believe should be at the heart and soul of a successful modern recruitment business:
Daring
Passionate
Integrity
Collaborative
Agile
Here’s my view of how we can use them in recruitment:
Daring – Audacious and bold, not afraid to challenge, be it career expectations or a client brief. Actively taking a path less travelled if it helps you get where you want to be and not being afraid of change if it is needed to help you get there.
Passionate – Need to feel a passion about the whole process, candidates’ careers and clients businesses and be committed to finding the right cultural fit and the right career development. Always be prepared to go the extra mile and have the drive and determination to succeed.
Integrity – A genuine interest in people as human beings, and appreciation of the need for honesty, openness and respect. Brave enough to challenge but in a sensitive, caring way. Building lasting, sustainable relationships. Basically, it’s about genuinely caring.
Collaborative – Our Company isn’t a place that is interested in ranking boards, competitiveness or egos but is an inclusive, all-embracing culture which helps us communicate. Whether dealing with a client, candidate or colleague, there should be a commitment to an unfaltering, consultative approach.
Agile – Adapting, evolving, flexible and not tied to any tired processes. Ready to respond to any issue. This constant evolution is needed to meet the demands of clients, candidates and colleagues in a fluctuating, demanding market.
So what do you think?
What principles have you adopted, and what principles would you like your recruiters to adopt?
I’ll be co-hosting the ‘Future of Recruitment’ track at TruLondon and it would be good to share your thoughts.
Talent Trends & Insights 
Interesting stuff T Recs!
I was raised in recruitment, and I mean that literally as in “Dad was the Boss” – and it is refreshing to see recruiting companies truly become consulting firms.
When I worked a desk before the dot.com bust, it was all about numbers, competition boards and cut-throat fee schedules. I left feeling like I had been a fighting ring all day.
Your principles are sound, and universal. And applied with passion and commitment, will form a strong foundation. Never let an “except when” creep into the conversation… its the death knell of principles.
Great post, Mervyn, wish I cold be at #truLondon for the collaboration.
I think its very important for any company to have a clear set of core values. ITN Mark are part of Ochre House with 3 other recruitment arms, all of which work to the same values of:
Outstanding
Commited
High Achieving
Radical
Exciting
We can apply these to almost everything we do and look for these qualities within new staff.
Great blog (as always)
@NatalieJayW