Is it the teeny tiny bit of sunshine making me think about spring cleaning, or maybe the dust balls collecting around my desk? Actually it’s a question someone raised on our discussion forum earlier in the week; about ditching a client.
Maybe last year, when times were really tough you would never have considered saying no to even the most awful client. However, now is the time to think about who you are working with and how it is working for you.
This isn’t about dropping anyone who won’t pay top rates; it’s about working with the companies who actually bring you pleasure rather than pain.
Why not (nicely) get rid of clients who:
Harass you for CVs then never come back to say who they want to interview
Refuse to give feedback after interviews
Mess about candidates at offer stage
Won’t pay a realistic fee
Pay terrible salaries but expect top class candidates
Always pay six months late – after much chasing (all costing you extra time/money)
Make it obviously they hate recruiters and they are dealing with you even though they don’t want to (perhaps ditching those clients is a little unrealistic!)
Make sure you keep clients who:
Treat your candidates right
Pay on time
Understand your value
Maybe this a little tongue in cheek but there would be nothing more perfect than only having clients who make you smile when you pick up the phone to them!
This is a great post. Spending time on bad clients takes away time to pursue and provide service for old clients. Not to mention the emotional drain that permeates into the time you spend with good clients!
Regards,
Joey V. Price, MS, PHR
HR Problem Solver, CEO
Jumpstart:HR – Strategic HR Consulting and Outsourcing Firm
“We give your HR Department an instant boost!”
I don’t really understand the “Spring Cleaning” element as you should be doing this anyway as part of an ongoing process irrespective of market forces.
Perhaps it’s relevant to some people though, and it is always worth re-affirming and repeating, so to conclude it’s a decent enough post but the reality is that it’s basic level recruitment training.
I fully agree! There is little point in working with a client who does not see the added value of a positive recruiter / client relationship. But then, there is also the question of why we accept business like that in the first place? However, relationships change and can either develop or reduce in effectiveness over time, as businesses respond to the economy. So a periodic reassessment is always a good idea.
Cathy, we accept that kind of business in the first place because there is always the chance of developing the client to the point where they trust you and even like you!
Most of the points above can me addressed with clients who you have worked with and earned the right to have a frank conversation with!
I think its a great post and just where we are up to as a business. I love the “spring clean” slant – and yes – those who make our job really difficult tend to take up the most time and want “everything for nothing” – lets work with those who are a joy to work with!