Today, I want to talk about making plans and deciding where to focus our energy and time in our business. It can be very easy to think, “I’m not doing this” or “I could do that,” so I want to give you some ideas on what to ask yourself when looking at where to start and what to do next.  

If you’re new here, welcome! There are another 448 podcasts you can listen to that will help you market your recruitment company. This is a great time of year to assess where you are. Download our audit checklist at superfast.co.uk/MCL. There’s a simple, straightforward spreadsheet you can use. We’re updating our checklist to a snazzy online version that will generate your own PDF. Either way, you’ll get a PDF showing exactly where you are, giving you ideas on things to consider as you start.  

Understanding The Fundamentals Of Business Planning  

This podcast answers questions many people have when sitting in front of their work, thinking, “What should I do? Where should I start?” I was thinking about this while watching MasterChef in the UK. There are famous chefs like Monica Galetti (whose hairstyle inspired my recent change) and Michael Roux on the team. It always starts with their signature dish and a skills test.  

It fascinates me because, during the skills test, Monica will give them 20 minutes to make something specific. They have all the ingredients they might need, plus some different ones. The chefs automatically get into their groove and do what they’ve always done. At the end, they get feedback from Michael and Monica, who often point out unused ingredients or unnecessary steps in their process.  

Identifying Core Business Activities  

One of the things we do with our Super Circle clients is get them to look at some basics. Here’s a huge clue – if you haven’t downloaded the Marketing Checklist, please do that or look at your original version. We map out different activities and tactics that are very good to do. One of our current clients uses it as his touchstone for processes he needs to implement.  

Organisations that do really well stick to the basics and fundamentals. They don’t try to change things around too much. They do what they know works. We’re entering the holiday season with offers everywhere for Black Friday and Christmas. People are using tried-and-tested methods, like John Lewis’s special video ad around Christmas time because they know these things work.  

Analysing Business Gaps And Offers  

As you look at what’s worked for you this year, check if you’re following the fundamentals: regular social media posts, maintaining a blog, doing cold outreach. Everything doesn’t have to be super sexy to work. Sometimes, it’s about doing the basics – finding your ideal client or candidate you can work with and support, then making them an offer.  

Remember, offers equal money and revenue in your bank. People sell things for different reasons, often to help their clients and candidates make more money. The recruitment sector is about helping clients build their business and helping candidates get better salaries and accelerate their careers. Think about what offers you’re making and how you can help your current clients.  

Understanding Business Constraints  

The next important aspect is constraints. What’s constraining your business and stopping growth? While it’s easy to say, “I don’t have enough time,” we need to look beyond that. Consider what’s really holding you back. For example, one of our friends struggles with getting potential clients to book follow-up sales calls. She’s improved by scheduling next steps while still on the initial call.  

For us, one constraint is follow-up. We have sales calls with people worldwide and need to improve our follow-up process. Some clients lack enough billers or marketing reach. Think about what constraint you need to handle in the next 12 months to make a difference. Sometimes, it’s something smaller than you realise, but addressing it can create significant change.  

Driving Business Growth Through Key Metrics  

What drives your business? For many, it’s the volume of sales calls. For us, it’s the number of demos we conduct. For many clients, it’s the number of client meetings or quality candidates registered in their database. Until you analyse these metrics, you won’t know what truly drives your success.  

Consider whether you’re doing the fundamentals correctly. What’s working? What’s missing? What could you do differently? Maybe you need to recruit a VA or get marketing materials. Perhaps you’re not focused on the key drivers that will make a difference in your market next year. Maybe you should expand your geographical reach.  

Think about these elements as you plan for the coming months. Look at your fundamentals, identify your constraints, focus on conversion, and determine where to start. These considerations will help guide your business planning and growth strategies for the upcoming year.  

Remember, success often comes from mastering the basics rather than constantly seeking new methods. By understanding your constraints and focusing on key drivers, you can create a more effective plan for your business’s future.

Thanks 

Denise 

How We Can Help 

Feeling overwhelmed about where to focus your recruitment business efforts in 2025? Book a call, and we’ll help you analyse your fundamentals, identify your constraints, and create a strategic growth plan that delivers results.