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News
Friday 20 February 2009
Finalists in the 2009 Recruitment Awards
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Aston Taylor is once again a nominated Finalist in the Recruiter Awards for Excellence, in the category of Best Recruitment-to-Recruitment Consultancy.
For the first time the Judges decided to let the Clients choose their nominations, based on who they believe provides the best service.
The Finalists were drawn from the five Recruitment-to-Recruitment companies who received the most nominations.
Researchers from The Recruiter then conducted a random poll of 100 senior management and directors of UK recruitment companies to determine the winner, which is announced on 28th April 2009 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s prestigious Park Lane.
ASTON TAYLOR received over 40 nominations from our clients, including glowing prose from both large, multi-national groups as well as from smaller, owner-managed firms.
http://www.recruiterawards.co.uk/
Wednesday 18 February 2009
Set Your Sights on the Best

The overwhelming focus on generating new business means the number of entry level positions within the industry is shrinking by the day. Companies are reluctant to invest in trainees because it is unclear how long these inexperienced consultants will survive if the economy continues to deteriorate.
“This is a time for experience at all levels, from management down,” says Vic Chuntz, Chief Executive at rec-to-rec consultancy Aston Taylor. “There is a need for people who can go back to basics and cold call. Ultimately there is no substitute for getting on the phone and calling people. You can no longer rely purely on email.”
One of Aston Taylor’s pro-active solutions to the current industry conditions has been to launch a managed agency service for recruiters. Eight clients have so far signed up for the service.
“There has been an interesting reaction from the industry because this has not something that has been offered by a rec-torec company before,” says Chuntz. “We have to prove to clients that they can get everything they need from us and save money by using one supplier. This means being scrupulous, honest and transparent.”
One of its managed agency clients is Prestige Nursing, which is part-way through a six-month trial period using the service. HR and quality manager, Mary Pond, says it made business sense to sign up. “We have always had a good relationship with Aston Taylor and have used their candidates many times,” she says. “I am in a standalone HR role so this service saves me a lot of time which means I can concentrate on other areas of HR.”
When business is difficult it is essential potential and existing employees can contribute what they claim and have the skills recruiters need.
In these dark days it is more important than ever to have the best team in place.
http://www.recruiter.co.uk/setting-your-sights-on-getting-the-best/1000795.article
Wednesday 7 January 2009
Recruiters Need to Embrace Change
Rec-to-rec recruiter Aston Taylor has preserved revenues during the economic downturn by identifying opportunities for the increasing number of candidates entering the market.
Vic Chuntz (CEO) told Recruiter: “Some clients are taking less risks at the moment but many are exploiting the current conditions and are increasing their market share as the less professional companies are finding it hard to win and retain business.
Despite a general dip in the markets, the UK on the whole is still suffering severe skill shortages,” adding sectors such as healthcare and education are experiencing a particular strong demand.
“There is a vast increase in the number of candidates on the market - we need to work even harder to identify the top 20% for our clients and to ensure we continue to service them as well as candidates. Plenty of our leading clients are still growing and there are opportunities for good, strong candidates to move into successful, growing consultancies. Companies are always looking for ways to add value to their business and in this climate it is even more critical to recruit the right candidates so that they can increase profits,” says Chuntz.
Friday 21 November 2008
Pass the baksheesh

Having just returned from a trip to the Middle East, where paying baksheesh is the norm, I wondered how this translates into the UK recruitment industry.
(Editor's note: the term 'baksheesh' is defined by online service Answers.com as 'a gratuity, tip or bribe paid to expedite service')
While we'd all like to believe that we receive recommendations based purely on levels of service, in the real world people have bills to pay and will take advantage of earning extra money just for passing on a lead or a name.
We've been asking clients and candidates their views on the matter: do they pay for referrals for business or for new candidates?
If so how much or in what format?
Without giving away any names, we found that recruiters in certain sectors seem to offer a referral reward more readily than others.
For example, one construction recruiter admitted it had secured a £500,000 piece of business on the golf course.
A regional manager for one of the national agencies told us she'd treated a particular client to a holiday in Florida.
An IT/telco recruiter actually handed over £5,000 in cash to help smooth the signing of a major contract.
A number of the job boards also offer cash incentives to help promote their services.
Currently most sectors are experiencing a severe skills shortage, rather than a lack of vacancies. The main issue is about having access to high-calibre candidates.
Here's what we heard: another IT recruiter has just arranged a weekend ski trip for the people who have referred the most lucrative new candidates in the last six months.
Many high street agencies offer smaller incentives and rewards, such as shopping vouchers, for referring new candidates to the agency's books, and numerous accountancy Recruiters offer gifts, such as cases of wine, for access to candidates who are successfully placed.
One executive search firm said it paid £10 for every new name added to their database, regardless of placement, plus £500 if the person was assigned within the next 12 months.
Some may take the moral high ground, refusing to pay for recommendations, but in the face of the realities, it seems more productive to show some tangible, fiscal method of thanks and appreciation. And why not!
Vic Chuntz
CEO
http://www.recruiter.co.uk/opinion/pass-the-baksheesh/332488.article
Wednesday 15 October 2008
Diary Of… A Recruiter Come Builder!

Monday
First day of the build and the rain is torrential! We meet at Mfuleni’s (township) School to meet our home owners and wait it out together to get started. It doesn’t happen. We lose a whole day of building, but hey – us recruiters love a challenge and it just makes the team more determined to succeed! We try not to be discouraged and lift spirits, with spirits!
Tuesday
Again we arrive at the school, ready with boots and hard hats and the rain stops! We go to site to be greeted by 5 or 6 kids
playing in our mound of sand. We have a huddle, shouting ‘Yeoleh!’ (This is it!) before launching into building a house – aka listening to an experienced South African Builder! I mix cement, or ‘duggha’ all day, with breaks to play with the kids and teach thumb wars – not easy when they don’t speak English! By 5pm, we are on target for day 2!
Wednesday
After a sleepless night (the muscles in my back in shock at all the work!) we are back at our house by 9am. We’re half way
through and we have half a shell of a house! The scaffolding goes up today for the upper courses to be laid, window and door frames in, and I mix duggha, again! A neighbour decides this build needs some music and the dancing as we build begins!
Thursday
Roof day. The gables go up and I am the only female with 3 men willing to go up on the roof, and I loved it! I tiled the roof today; a beautiful, hot day and I may even get a tan! We brought face paints for the kids today and before we know it, we have over 40 kids swarming the girls for a face paint! A reminder of how effective word of mouth is!
Friday
Final day – half a day as we go up Table Mountain this morning and then the closing ceremony is at 3pm. We have a lot to do. Finish the roof and build internal walls. I lay my first brick! Team work is essential today and we finish with a completed house and a very happy and excited family! By far, the best, most life-changing experience I have ever had and I am proud to work for a company that supports such a great cause.
http://www.recruiter.co.uk/analysis/diary-of/338316.article







