Small business recruitment

Commission only sales people

2009-07-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

I just joined a forum this week and have been very impressed by the amount of activity and interaction that takes place. Definitely worth a visit for small business owners (www.ukbusinessforums.com).

One of the recurring themes that seems to have come up this week is that of commission only sales people. Some people are of the opinion that you can't find people who are willing to work on commission only, and why should they? However my experience has been different, and I have posted several times on the forum this week to that effect.

Good, self employed sales people, who might have other projects on the go earning them some income, are willing to work on commission only if the product is saleable and the commission structure is realistic and has the potential to earn them good income. If they know they are good at their job, they will give it a go.

In my opinion, as a small business owner, taking someone on who is working remotely and working on an hourly rate is a risk. I think, offering someone a high commission is an incentive to them to work, and if they prove to be good at the job, then you can consider paying them a low hourly rate, plus commission as a thank you for their hard work, but let them prove themselves first. If your product/service doesn't sell, they'll soon tell you.

If you would like to discuss using commission only sales people, I have many very experienced professionals on my database who might well be interested in working for you.

Sales Sharpener

2009-07-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a very interesting meeting with Andy Homeyard of Castle10 (www.castle10.com). Andy was offering a 2 hour session that he calls a Sales Sharpener, in which he explored my business with me, and offered some suggestions on how to improve and increase sales.

I have to say, if I'm completely honest (and sorry about this Andy if you read this) I did go along with a bit of scepticism about the whole thing. After all, I have been running my business for two years, have taken lots of advice and guidance from some very high level, experienced people and thought that no one could identify opportunities that I haven't considered, explored and rejected in the space of two hours.

How wrong could I be?

It is amazing what a fresh pair of eyes can do to open up opportunities before you, that just haven't crossed your mind. Sometimes, I think, as small business owners we get tunneled in our vision and keep thinking down the same avenues, and it is difficult to stand back and take a new perspective on what you are doing. Andy seemed to do this with ease in two hours, and I came away with some very positive action points to help move my business forward, as well as renewed impetus.

If you think you could benefit from Andy's help, contact him, and please tell him where you heard about him.

Employing home based workers for home businesses

2009-06-24T03:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last blog, but I didn't think anyone was reading it, and felt a bit lonely, however I've discovered that people do read it, so I'm going to start to be a bit more religous about it.

I came across an interesting website yesterday, The Home Business Alliance, which after two years of running my own business from home, I was surprised not to have found it before. Apparently it's been going since 1993 (www.homebusiness.org.uk)which must have been pretty much when the internet first started invading our lives, so they really spotted a future trend well in advance.

Home businesses are the future. More and more people are starting their own business and working from home, but for those people who don't feel the entrepreneurial urge, then perhaps working for another home business would suit you better. You still get the benefits of working from home, your employer benefits from your skills and experience but doesn't have to provide office space for you, and it's a win-win situation.

Many of the job seekers on my database would love the opportunity to use their skills and experience and work from home. Perhaps you could use them to support your business growth? A bookkeeper for two hours a week, or a marketing manager to create a marketing plan for you and then guide you through implementing it. All these skills can be used flexibly to provide a skills "pick and mix" for a growing business.

Why small business recruitment is so satisfying

2009-05-04T03:21:00.000-07:00

On Friday evening I was invited to a party to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of one of my client companies. Angels Den introduces entrepreneurs to investor angels and the business is thriving.

The dress code for the party was white, (wings optional) and it was a very surreal experience, with cotton wool clouds on the floor, white linen draped around the room, inflatable white sofas and a 5ft10" white rabbit taking photographs! Even all the food was white.

But the thing that I found most rewarding from the whole experience was to be introduced to all their staff members, the majority of whom I had sourced for them, allowing their business to grow. All their staff members work remotely from their own homes, and offer a variety of skills that Angels Den can tap in to as and when their business needs it. And they all seem so happy and grateful to me - not just the staff, but Bill and Lois (the owners) too.

I felt as though I had played an important role in the growth of their company, and hope that I continue to do so. SMall businesses do often struggle to find the skills and experience they need, just as job seekers struggle to find flexible work that provides them with a good work life balance.

Specialising in small business recruitment I might not make the money that traditional recruitment services make, but the rewards for me, far outweigh that. I have a passion for small businesses and a passion for helping people find a good work life balance, and that party showed me that I am achieveing it. Thank you Angels Den.

Working as a Virtual PA

2009-03-29T01:25:00.001-07:00

Held our first training day yesterday for budding virtual PAs and I think it went down very well. When I first had my children and was searching around for something I could do from home, believe it or not (I know it makes me sound old) we didn't have a home computer, and the internet was in its infancy, so it wasn't so easy to work from home in those days.

I remember applying for a job as a freelance translator and they asked me if I had email, and I didn't even know what it was! I can't believe it now, and that was really only 12 years ago.

Now of course, many people have home computers and internet access and the role of a Virtual PA is very appealing to many young Mums who have an adminstrative background. But where do you find your clients, how do you market yourself, what IT tools will you need and how do you keep your clients happy, providing the services they need at prices they can afford?

Our Virtual PA training course covered all these aspects and delegates went away feeling confident and excited at the prospect of a new venture that will also give them the flexibilty to be there for their children.

I was very excited at being able to offer this opportunity to some of my candiates, with the help of Graham Roberts-Phelps and Shay Russell, from Virtual PA Plus and I'm looking forward to working with them more and hopefully opening up this great flexible working opportunity for more of my candidates.

The importance of a good CV

2009-03-19T05:08:00.000-07:00

If you are job seeking, the most important thing you can do is get your CV right first. Your CV is your marketing document and it is said that, when working their way through pile of applicants, most recruiters make up their minds about a candidate before they’ve got to the end of the first paragraph, and my experience tells me it is true.

Imagine you are given a brochure for a luxury hotel. It is in a great location, has all the facilities you could wish for, but the brochure is badly set out, is difficult to read, has spelling mistakes, no capital letters or full stops. What impression would that give you about the hotel? Maybe that they’re sloppy, disorganised? It might even make you decide not to book your holiday there. Well the same applies for your CV. A well written well organised CV, that has been spell checked, does not use text speak, and sets out the candidates skills and experience in a clear, easy to read format, will make you stand out from the crowd. And it really will. You would not believe the number of CVs I see that do not fit that description, and when you are fighting, in a difficult economic climate, against two or three times as many applicants for each job as there might have been previously, you need to stand out.

So, what are my top tips for writing a CV

1. Use grammar, punctuation, capital letters (in particular for “I”)and do not use text speak. This is the number one thing that I am seeing more and more in CVs and covering letters, and it does not create a good impression.

2. Use at least a size 10 font and use space. Do not try and cram everything in to two pages if it doesn’t fit easily. People are more likely to read the CV if it is easy on the eye.

3. Set it out in a clear, well organised format.

4. Start with a profile, or introductory paragraph about yourself and your current situation/objectives in finding a job.

5. If there are gaps in your employment, explain them. People do get ill, go travelling, have children, so explain it rather than try to ignore it, thinking the employers won’t notice, because they will.

6. Include a section, highlighting your key skills.

7. Rather than focus solely on your job description of each role you have had, pick out some key achievements, things you were particularly proud of that you did.

8. Get someone else to read it before you start sending it out. A fresh pair of eyes will always spot something that you’ve missed.

Remember, one size does not always fit all.

Once you’ve got your standard CV, it is also worth remembering that it can sometimes be worth tailoring your CV for each job application you make. As an example I might receive a CV in response to a telemarketing role, and the opening paragraph will say “Now keen to find a job in IT and establish my career”. This is going to turn any employer off, who is looking to employ someone for a telemarketing position.

Q&A on flexible working for employers

2009-03-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

There is going to be a lot of talk in the media over the next few weeks about the introduction of the new rules on flexible working so what are the government’s new rules ?

In April this year the government will introduce the right to request flexible working for employees who have children up to the age of 16. This does not however mean that they have a right to expect flexible working patterns.

Can I refuse a request for flexible working?

You can refuse a request based on any of the following business grounds

planned structural changes
the burden of additional costs
a detrimental impact on quality
the inability to recruit additional staff
a detrimental impact on performance
the inability to reorganise work among existing staff
a detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand
lack of work during the periods the employee proposes to work

Should I be worried about this?

Research from the Cranfield School of Management shows that flexible working improves employers’ recruitment and extends employee retention as an employee will perform better and remain more committed to an employer who acknowledges and supports flexible working. At a time of economic downturn, it has never been more important for business to enhance relationships with their employees through offering flexible working to help to stabilise their economic future.

What are the benefits to me, as an employer, of offering flexible working?

You can cut costs by not employing someone full-time, as their salary would be less. You may also want to save on office costs by enabling an employee to work from home or ‘hot desk’ with another part-time employee. You will also create happier and more motivated staff by allowing them to balance work with their family.

When do the new rules come in to force?

April 6th 2009

What do the Conservatives say about this?

David Cameron has always put the family at the core of his policy decisions. He has vowed to promote flexible working to help hard-working couples struggling to make ends meet. He has suggested that a Tory government would push for more flexible working hours for parents of children of all ages, rather than just the very young.

What is flexible working?

Flexible working can involve any of the following: part-time work, flexi-time, annualised hours (where your hours are worked out over a year, often with set shifts with you deciding when to work the other hours), compressed hours (working your agreed hours over fewer days), staggered hours (different starting, break and finishing times for employees in the same workplace), job sharing or home working.

More information?

Flexible Skills Bank will shortly be running a series of free online seminars exploring the issues surrounding flexible working. To register your interest in attending one of these seminars, please email us at info@flexibleskillsbank.co.uk

Having it all?

2009-03-10T06:49:00.000-07:00

More and more women are setting up their own businesses these days as it seems to offer the perfect work life balance, but is it really the perfect scenario and do you really have it all as a Mumpreneur?

Having run my own business for almost two years now, I began to wonder if I do have the perfect balance. I work from home, no commuting stress and no office politics to deal with. I take my kids to school in the morning and I am there to help them with their homework or take them to football training, scouts, parties and anything else that comes up. I love my job, I find it both challenging and rewarding. So what could be better?

Really, I think that working for yourself, in my opinion, does offer the most flexible working option, but it is really important above all else, to be organised and focussed, otherwise it can all fall to pieces.

I have a passion for my business, and since the email and website are sitting right next to my kitchen and living room, it is very tempting to keep having a peek, to see if anything has "happened" or if anything needs my attention and it is therefore very difficult to switch off. Sometimes I find that I am responding to emails and forget that the dinner is cooking until I hear a sizzling coming from the kitchen and I rush out of my study to find another burnt offering.

I have now come to the conclusion, that whilst working from home is the ideal scenario for me, I am not very good at it and need to be more structured in my day to day approach. I need to set aside a time each day to put the washing on, do the ironing, make dinner and be with my family, instead of constantly switching from one to the other and achieving nothing.

My advice to anyone thinking about setting up in business, working from home, is to make sure that your business is in a separate room, that you can close the door when you are working, so you aren't disturbed, and you can close the door when you're not working, so you leave it behind until the next day.

Women have been campaigning for years for equal rights, equal pay, equal status, and now it seems that we do have it all, but maybe too much is not a good thing. We have to work and run the home and family and for many women these days, run a business too. Multi tasking at it's best. Is this really having it all, or having too much?

Search for the UK's most family friendly employer

2009-03-08T07:02:00.000-07:00

I think that employers who do offer family friendly working conditions should be recongnised and I would like to invite you to nominate your employer (current or previous) in our search to find the UK's most family friendly employer. Maybe they offer flexible working arrangements in terms of working form home when you need to, flexi time if you need to take your kids to the dentist, or term time only working. Perhaps you have a creche facility at work or you can even take your kids in to work with you if you need to.

It's not unheard of, I have taken my children to team meetings before because they I had no alternative arrangement - OK they're not babies, but they sat there quite happily playing on the game boy or reading while we discussed business and no big deal was made of it. That to me, constitutes an amazingly family friendly employer, and as a result I am loyal and dedicated to that employer because she (yes, OK she is a mother too) makes my life so much easier.

Are there more like this out there? Why not join my campaign on facebook (Search for the UK's most family friendly employer) and let me have your stories, or comment on it here too?

Flexible working can save money and increase productivity

2009-02-02T03:26:00.000-08:00

Surprisingly many companies are hesitant when it comes to thinking differently about how they employ their staff. Words such as "flexi time", "home working" and "job share" can send shivers down their spines and visions of their hard-earned profits waltzing out of the door.

However if used wisely these flexible employment methods can actually increase efficiency and save money rather than costing more.

How will a flexible worker save me money?

A flexible worker often represents far more value for money than an average employee. They tend to be highly experienced and knowledgeable people who, for whatever reason, although usually due to caring for their family, can not work in a "normal" 9 - 5 role. They are often willing to compromise on salary as long as the job fits in with their needs. Stay at home mothers returning to work may have had over 10 years professional experience before they stopped work to bring up young children, that can be put to good use and mean that they can be up to speed for more quickly than a graduate.

Employing flexible workers can really benefit start-up companies who can initially operate a "virtual" office, where staff can work from home but have access to colleagues, information and facilities almost as though they are working in the same offices. This can create the impression of a large scale, established operation whilst keeping costs to a minimum.

These flexible workers also tend to be more loyal, increasing staff retention and thus decreasing re-training costs, as they really appreicate finding a fulfilling role which also enables them to make time for their family. The reduced stress of a flexible role also means reduced sickness absence, and that personal commitments can be fulfilled in one's own, flexible time.

BT Business managing director Bill Murphy said, "Recent studies have demonstrated the business benefits of flexible working, from improved staff retention and productivity to cost savings and new business wins. BT has itself witnessed a 20% increase in productivity where it has put smarter working practices in place."

Once in the office flexible employees are nomally much more efficient as they condense their working hours. If they work for just a few hours a day there will not be a requirement for a company to pay them for a lunch hour and wasted time spent chatting over coffee is dramatically reduced.

If their business allows, companies can just employ staff during term times, giving un-paid leave during school holidays, which gives the employee valuable time off but also reduces salary costs. Similarly, employing freelance or contract workers can relieve companies of the burden of high salary expenditure and allow them to increase staff as they need without committing resources in these uncertain times. Extended business hours can be covered with flexible work schedules and companies can adapt to increased business quickly and make available additional pesonnel at times of high customer demand.

Direct costs such as office space and any travelling expenses can be cut by employing home-workers, job sharers or people at different times who can hot desk. If your company is environmentally minded this can also help reduce traffic pollution and the environmental cost of heating/lighting and office space.

Flexible working offers a greater ability to attract high calibre, new staff in an increasingly competitive labour market. Organisations which show that they value their employees as whole people, gain a good reputation as employers, especially now that flexible working is considered to be the number one benefit a company can offer for prospective employees.

Right to request flexible working on hold

2008-10-21T02:07:00.000-07:00

We learn today that Peter Mandelson is reviewing the plan to extend the right to request flexible working, because of the pressue it will put on businesses.

Surely, the government should be encouraging flexible working during times of economic downturn. Flexible Working offers so many benefits to businesses, in terms of improved staff retention, increased productivity and cost savings, that rather than thinking about putting on hold on their plans, they should be looking at ways of facilititating it further and making it easier for companies to achieve.

What everyone seems to be forgetting is that it is still only a "right to request" and not a blanket decision that if a member of staff requests flexible working, they have a legal right to be given it. If there are justified business reasons why they can not be offered flexible working, then the company owners are not obliged to give it.

National commute smart week 2008

2008-10-18T05:45:00.000-07:00

The current economic turmoil is expected to make more employers look at the benefits of smarter working for their staff, a UK industry group has said.

“The economic downturn means organisations are trying to save money and boost productivity – which means managers are more likely to consider allowing staff to work and commute smarter,” says Phil Flaxton of Work Wise UK

The benefits of smarter working include lower overheads for employers, more productivity, and a demonstrable commitment to the environment. But, overall, smarter working practices mean happier employees.“

Employees themselves are looking to cut the costs of commuting. Fuel price increases, rises in mortgages and the growing general costs of living means everyone is tightening their belts.”

Phil Flaxton was speaking ahead of National Commute Smart Week (October 26 to November 1) which aims to draw attention to wasted time and resources which result from work-related travel and commuting to work at peak times. Starting the day after the clocks go back, Commute Smart Week will also highlight a number of ways of avoiding the misery of travelling to and from work in the dark, and the depression and despondency that many experience as a result, by working and commuting smarter.

Flexible working times (including flexitime, condensed hours and nine day fortnights), staggered journeys and part home working, reduce the overall need to commute, and allow people to avoid peak times.

Trying alternative ways of commuting, such as cycling or walking, can also help reduce congestion and public transport overcrowding, and at the same time significantly improve health and wellbeing.

The knock-on effect of reducing overall traffic congestion and public transport overcrowding by extending the rush hour and reducing peak demand through smarter working and commuting will make the daily commute more bearable for those workers who have no choice when and how to travel

Flexible Working attracts employees

2008-10-04T07:38:00.000-07:00

Owners of companies should take note of the following results from a survey. Flexible working can help retain your employees and make them more loyal to your company.

"Flexible working options, healthcare and a flexible benefits programme are the perks employees would most like to be offered, according to research released by Accor Services.

Of the 1,200 employees canvassed in the survey, 37% said they would most like to receive flexible working options, 34% said they would like to have healthcare perks, and 26% favoured a flex scheme.

Employers appear to be aware of employee preferences. The same survey has revealed that flexible working options and healthcare are the two most commonly-offered perks, received by 47% and 27% of employees, respectively. These are followed by childcare vouchers (21%) and lifestyle discounts (18%).

However, only a quarter of employees regard their benefits package as competitive, although 35% think they are fairly paid. Overall, few employees believe their pay, benefits and incentives are not competitive compared with others doing a comparable job in similar organisations."

Flexible Working is growing

2008-09-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

A record number of women are currently employed, but half are working part-time, according to the Office of National Statistics.

A report published yesterday says the number of working women has been rising steadily for decades, and that 2008 employment levels are at a record high.

Flexible Job ideal for mums (or dads!)

2008-09-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here is an example of a forward thinking company who are open to term time working, because they understand the problems mothers face.

"A consultancy to the charity sector based in Sutton, are looking for an Administrative Assistant initially for a six month contract. Duties will include answering incoming calls, booking places for delegates at their events and conferences, some audio typing, proofreading and all general administrative duties. Candidates must have previous experience in an administrative role and be confident using Word and Excel.

This is a very family friendly company and flexible working is offered; with school hours, and even term time working being considered for the right candidate. Ideally they would like someone for around 28 hours per week or more. Salary will be £15,000 - £16.500 pro rata depending on experience"

To apply for this job visit http://surrey.flexibleskillsbank.co.uk

Flexible Working

2008-09-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

Ten years ago, flexible working was something that mothers only dreamed about. If only it were possible to find a job that really fitted in around your family commitments, where you could work while the kids were at school or nursery and work in a challenging, fulfilling role, but also be there when it was time to pick them up, and take them to their activities, or when they were ill.

Times have changed, and flexible working is now in the news every day. The Government is currently reviewing the best way to introduce their extended right to request flexible working for parents of children up to the age of 16, and more and more companies are opening their eyes to the potential and possibilities.

Employing mothers, who have a good track record of experience behind them, and who really want the job, can actually benefit companies. Employees are more dedicated to companies that allow them to work flexibly, and the company benefits from their experience, without the need to employ someone full time, on a full time salary.

Since setting up Flexible Skills Bank (www.flexibleskillsbank.co.uk) two years ago, I have been delighted by the response I've had from job seekers and employers alike. It is a scheme that works well for both parties and is continuing to go from strength to strength.

I would like to use this blog as a resource for people interested in flexible working. I will post flexible jobs on here as well as links to items of interest in the news, both from the job seekers point of view as well as the employer, and I hope you find it useful.