RecruitRank Awards Night – Report

I couldn’t make it along to the RecruitRank awards at the end of October, but luckily for me Helen Reynolds ex Acting CEO Of the REC was happy to take my place and write up a “roving reporters” piece for the blog…

For those of you who were unable to attend the RecruitRank Awards, hosted by Jobsite, you missed a great evening.

My colleague and myself were greeted with warmth at the door with champagne and the most wonderful canapé selection I have ever had at such an event. In fact it wasn’t the traditional canapés you come to expect, but a full-blown charcuterie and fromagerie, with a delightful selection of Spanish meats and cheeses. Just perfect for someone like me who hosts Latino blood. By the looks of things, everyone was enjoying it.

The networking had very much began at this point with finalists eagerly awaiting the moment we were to be called through into the main room.

We took our seats in the award hall, a beautiful environment with decorative ceilings and a calming ambience. Seated on long white leather settees and I had the great pleasure of sitting next to Russell, Phil and Alan from CG Consultants, who had been short listed at the awards.

Our introducer to the awards was the industry experienced Stephen Peerless, who re-affirmed the importance of client and candidates feedback and the excellence that the awards promoted, stating that “RecruitRank is the virtual thermometer at measuring the views of our candidates” with strong statements such as “ Never work with a jerk” and “Growth for the sake of size it not worth it” Stephen ensured that those attending would go away and re-think how customer service underpinned all that should be good about our businesses. In a time when, lets face it the market could be kinder to us, he encouraged us to ensure that we did not become complacent  and that its our service that makes us unique.

Stephen then introduced the humble Keith Potts, who was clearly delighted to be hosting the 3rd annual awards and said that when they founded JobSite some 13 years ago, he certainly did not expect to be awarding our industry for customer satisfaction.

The person that many were keen to hear from though was our Keynote speaker of the evening James Caan. Having made his fortune within the recruitment industry, the audience, was clearly poised to absorb his words of wisdom. The ever charismatic James, talked us through what it is like to be a Dragon and the pressure he felt to lose his “Dragon Virginity”, having gone home to his wife having not invested she commented ”You cannot just sit there not investing, there is already someone who does that – Deborah Meaden”. A line met with much laughter.

On a more serious note James talked about his early days at Alexander Mann and recalled in the last recession, how sitting down with his Accountant to conclude end of year accounts, he realised that they had just cleared £1500. James commented how easily it would have been to throw the towel in then but he didn’t. His message was quite clearly the same now.

Yes times are tougher and his core advice was that any expenditure that is not critical to your business, cut it. Get lean and mean…… but keep going, keep that foot to the floor as if you maintain the same momentum, you will come out the other side and you will drive forward.

Wise words……..

And then onto the awards

Low volume Jobsite user: Communication iTS European
High volume Jobsite user: Communication networx
Low volume Jobsite user: Understanding candidate needs Big Red Recruitment Ltd
High volume Jobsite user: Understanding candidate needs CELECTUS Recruitment Limited

Having been seated for over an hour and a half – we hit the midway point and the wonderful smell of Paella was whafting through the door. James joined us all, mingling and posing for photos with those who wanted to. More food and drink and then back into the concluding part of the ceremony.

With the concluding winners being

Low volume Jobsite user: Best Recruiter iTS European
High volume Jobsite user: Best Recruiter CELECTUS Recruitment Limited
Low volume Jobsite user: Industry Knowledge EMS Sigma Ltd
High volume Jobsite user: Industry Knowledge Fircroft
Low volume Jobsite user: Most Improved Big Red Recruitment Ltd
High volume Jobsite user: Most Improved Enterprise Recruitment Ltd

The best recruiter overall award went to ITS European – who were clearly delighted to have got the golden ticket.

And now for the networking!

Mojito’s, El Diablo’s and Sangria accompanied the well known Spanish Churros and the atmosphere buzzed with excited award winners and the chatter that recruiters do best. The mood was extremely upbeat as were recruiters attitudes to the big “R” word. The inspirational words of the evening had re-fired many into thinking “ Lets go for it”.

Within my own network we have chosen to “opt out” of the recession and by the sounds of it – I’ve now got many new members to this club. I might go and get some badges made!!