REC SQUAD: Change Your Game

Simon Lewis speaks with Victoria McLean, CEO of award-winning recruitment consultancy business, City CV. City CV transforms careers globally through its CV writing, interview coaching and career coaching, inspiring thousands of people per year through events, webinars and workshops. In this episode Victoria outlines the benefits of offering a value-add service to the traditional recruitment offering.

Simon is joined by retained search expert Louise Archer, as they discuss the role mindset plays in being a successful project based recruiter. Many recruiters are switching from traditional contingency recruitment to retained, but how can you win at it? And what impact will it have on your life outside of work?

Do you own an SME recruitment firm and feel dissatisfied because you seem to work hard for your business rather than your business working hard for you? If so, it's probably down to 3 reasons: You aren't earning what you want; you're not leading the lifestyle you and your family would like you to lead; or, most of all, you're no closer to financial security now than when you started. In this episode Simon is joined by scalability coach, Mike Ames. Mike helps recruitment company owners who want their business to give them the income, lifestyle, job satisfaction and financial security they desire. During 45 minutes of honest reflection, Mike and Simon discuss a whole range of topics that will help any recruitment business owner build a business to suit them. Whether that's independent, micro or SME. Because the truth is, whilst most of us enter recruitment expecting to build a business through people scale, very few achieve it. Recruit. Make money. Exit. Hot topics covered in this session include: Building a business for the future Keeping it lean and mean Attracting talent and KEEPING it by building a culture for retention Why commission-driven remuneration is detrimental to your business What does lazy management look like? Why all recruitment agency owners should get a coach How to avoid making short-term decisions that affect long-term gains And just what is 'refrigerator recruitment'? This is a cracking episode with one of the industry's true protagonists.

In this special off-the-cuff episode Gabi Preston-Phypers and Simon chat about everything from rec tech to removals. There's soothsaying, myth-slaying and a whole lot of fanciful thinking. Candidate carnage, Boolean beauties and Disney dazzlers. Yes, this one's a laugh. Gabi is co-founder of mobile robotics recruitment agency, Oscar Harrington, and co-founder of candidate sourcing tech, Tooled Up Raccoons.

In this energetic episode Simon is joined by recruitment leader, Emma McNamara. A genuine industry protagonist, Emma founded one of the preeminent recruitment agency brands within the digital sector and became renowned for her no-nonsense approach. An MBO 16 years later saw Emma transfer her wealth of knowledge in house, where she now works as a talent and business strategy consultant, helping companies build or improve internal talent management and operational strategies. So, just what is the secret to becoming a great recruitment leader? What does great leadership look like? Can leadership be taught? And what's charisma got to do with it? Whether you're a couple of decades down the recruitment track or just starting out on your journey, this episode lifts the lid on leadership and how the landscape has changed since the 90s.

Culture. What is it? How do we create it? And why does it matter? In this episode I'm joined by Miles Lloyd, a professional skills coach and business mentor with a track record of developing people and businesses through transformational change. A wide and varied career has seen him work with recruitment consultancies, not-for-profit organisations and the Premier League, with the latter involving professional skills mentoring and business leadership coaching for Elite Academy Managers and Heads of Coaching. Miles is also a business culture expert, and it's this subject we're getting stuck into today.

In this insightful episode Simon speaks with talent development specialist, Ben Browning. Thoughtful, measured and articulate, Ben opens up on mental health, growth mindset and what it takes to become a high performing recruitment leader. This is a whizz-bang session featuring productivity, accountability, focus and discipline. What does recruitment evolution look like? Why is laser focus so important? How does progress win over perfection? And what would Ben tell his 16-year-old self? This is a must for anyone in recruitment, particularly leaders.

Finding the right talent is tough, especially in unusual times. In this dynamic episode Simon is joined by business performance coach Katy Green, as they discuss the mechanisms required for modern-day attraction strategies. In a period when many recruitment agency owners have been put back 'on the tools', how do we make space to work ON the business and not just IN it? And just who did turn on the hose?! This in an episode full of energy, passion and grit.

In this episode Simon is joined by Stephanie Lythgoe, director of Multisector Recruitment, an independent recruitment agency supporting hiring managers across the UK in the Engineering, Legal and Business Support sectors. Having grown up in RAF confines, Stephanie found her way into recruitment via the Adecco door. Now with a fantastic family, business of her own, and the perks of working from home, life looks pretty sweet for Stephanie. But the journey to here hasn't been easy. In this episode Stephanie shares her experiences around mental health and how the hidden issues of a childhood trauma have affected her life. Pressures, pick-ups, pick-me-ups and the pearls of ASDA, this is Stephanie's story.

In this episode Simon is joined by recruitment performance trainer and coach, Ben Browning. This is a very frank, open and honest conversation around overcoming adversity, laying foundations for outstanding leadership and the value of communication and accountability. How does growth mindset impact business? And what's empathy got to do with it? Let's take a moment to thank Ben for this incredibly powerful, succinct and articulate reflection on high performance within recruitment.

In this episode Simon is joined by former professional inline hockey player and Team GB coach, Andrew Sillitoe. After helping build a performance and leadership team within one of the most recognisable recruitment consultancy brands, Andrew began a path of learning and development that marks him as one of the pre-eminent leadership figures within the staffing and commercial sector. Andrew is a serious exponent of wellbeing and positive mindset, fusing lessons learned from his time spent in elite sports with business. What does Andrew think makes sustainable leadership? How does this transcend all walks of life? And why is locker room mentality so important? This is an episode about no regrets. And it's a belter.

In this episode Simon is joined by former Hays leadership coach, Ashley Rice. A decade spent at this internationally-renowned recruitment consultancy, promoted some critical thinking around what great leadership looks like and how it can be implemented in a profession often so relentless in pursuit of financial reward. So what does high performance mean to Ashley? What are Ashley's non-negotiable characteristics for anyone working in his team? And why is Ashley so passionate about the term 'connection'? This is a fantastic episode for any business leader wondering how to balance contemporary leadership with commercial pursuit.

In this episode Simon is joined by the magnificently passionate high-performance coach and mindset mogul, Michael Whatman. At just 15 years of age, Michael was playing international baseball for the U18 team. A switch to elite rugby then followed, before injury curtailed a burgeoning career. But such was Michael's clarity and vision, he was rewarded with the opportunity to undertake coaching badges. And so his destiny was in the making. Bachelor and master's degrees in medical sociology and clinical nutrition were followed by a leap of faith into the staffing sector, assuming a billing role within a high-flying life sciences executive search firm, recruiting across Europe, APAC and the US. Four years later he transitioned into training, kick-starting a journey into the world of high-performance coaching, underpinned by elite-level insights. So what makes an elite team environment? What does high performance mean to someone who's been immersed in sport most of his life? How does this play out in a business environment? And what are Michael's three non-negotiable characteristics people must have when working in his team? This episode is a corker!

In this episode Simon is joined by Steve Guest, a recruitment entrepreneur and best-selling author who has cultivated a career in an industry where margin gains are often quite literally the difference between success and failure. Like many within a sector historically driven by bullish behaviour and unforgiveness, Steve's rise to leadership hasn't been without it's wobbles. So which tools did he adopt to help him through and how did he manage to make his mark in a sector where the 'outsider' doesn't usually get a look in? This is a tale of resilience, consideration, process and ownership. And it's a good one!

With Danny Crates: Olympic athlete, TV presenter, pundit, commentator, high performance coach At just 21 year old, Danny tragically lost an arm in a car accident whilst on holiday in Australia. What followed is a remarkable story of resilience, endurance, passion and determination. Because by the time he'd retired from the track Danny Crates had won every possible major title in Paralympic athletics, his trophy cabinet boasting World Indoor and European titles, silver in the 4X400m relay, an 800-meter world record at the Athens Games and the ultimate prize – a gold medal at the 2006 World Championships. But, having been bestowed the honour of flagbearer for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, a turn of events would transform Danny's mindset altogether. So what drove Danny to succeed? What shapes the mindset of an Olympic athlete? What are Danny's three non-negotiable behaviours and characteristics for success? And what is he grateful for?

Self-development is the cornerstone of every great leader. How can we lead others when every day of our own remains the same? We need to clear our minds of the clutter. Mindset transformation comprises many facets. So how do we: Create positive daily habits? Develop emotional awareness? Find space for new energy? Prioritise physical health for emotional superpowers? Rebecca Shannon leads the show with more from the Beyond Limits MembersOnly leadership programme.

Having driven alongside record-breaking F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, Andy Cohen-Wray knows what elite performance looks like. Throw in more than two decades of competitive experience competing with and learning from Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth champions, plus training as a master in NLP, and you have the the tools to incite winning mindsets. But for Andy the path to fulfilment has been anything but an easy road. Life's twists and turns have seen him overcome unfathomable trauma, leaving him with a mindset that he can quite literally barely remember achieving. What does high performance look like? How has 2020 left us feeling? What are the three non-negotiable characteristics of a team member? Lessons From The Racetrack proves that high performance takes planning , strategy and teamwork. And that constantly driving at 300Ks will end up with you in a wall. Andy Cohen-Wray can be found at 1404 Performance: https://1404performance.com/

Learn how confidence fuels the authority needed to succeed in every aspect of your life. In this session Simon is joined by world-renowned psychology expert, speaker, author and high performance influencer, Jamil Qureshi. Jamil is one of today's foremost practitioners of performance enhancing psychology and is an expert in high performing teams. Jamil has enjoyed working with a rich diversity of the most talented business and sports people and teams in the world, helping six individuals get to World Number 1 in their profession. Projecting confidence helps people gain credibility, make a strong first impression, deal with pressure, and tackle personal and professional challenges. But confidence is not an innate, fixed characteristic. It's an ability that can be acquired and improved over time. It is a belief in oneself, the conviction that one has the ability to meet life's challenges and to succeed—and the willingness to act accordingly. Being confident requires a realistic sense of one's capabilities and feeling secure in that knowledge. It's also an attractive trait, as confidence helps put others at ease. Join us as we learn the psychology of confidence.

At 25 years old, Alex is paving the way for a new kind of recruitment leader, where tradition makes way for vision. Building a business with passion and compassion and its heart, is the makeweight for commercial enterprise. In an industry awash with normalised silos, just how is Alex's fresh approach being received by those for whom recruitment is a sea of 'shitheads'? There's a bit of blue language in this one. And some mention of tequila.

In this session Simon is joined by Beyond Limits co-creator and performance coach, Rebecca Shannon, as she takes you on a journey of empowerment and discovery. Activate 2021 - How To Ignite Your Vision & Catalyse Your Courage For The Year Ahead encourages you to explore your inner and often subconscious-self. How did the circumstances of 2020 make you feel? And what positives can we draw from a year full of uncertainty, change and unusual circumstances? During this highly motivating session you will be invited to answer 15 questions, including: What made you angry? What made you afraid? Did you feel shame? What turned you on? Where was your peace and your connection? And what was the greatest gift of 2020 that you can bring into 2021..? (Activate 2021 is drawn from learnings of the One of Many leadership group).

Dubbed 'The Paisley Powerhouse', Scotland and Team GB table tennis champion Martin Perry was born without hands and only one leg. Yet at just 26 years old he has won 52 international medals. So what drove him to pursue a career in a sport in which hands are surely a prerequisite? What are Martin's drivers? What keeps him going? What are his values? What are his non-negotiable traits in a team-mate? And what does a winning mindset look like for an elite athlete in a sport with more than one billion followers?

Hear from Jamil Qureshi - one of the world's preeminent psychological trailblazers - as we uncover the secrets to effective influence and persuasion in a leadership context. Develop the power to influence and persuade others, accelerating your leadership to another dimension. Persuasion and influence are both leadership skills, but they are not the same thing. As a leader your success depends upon your ability to get things done. Individuals who are persuasive can influence their followers, and will induce certain mindsets or behaviours from others. Persuasion is an essential proficiency for all leaders, requiring you to move people toward a position they don't currently hold. Influence is having a vision of the optimum outcome for a situation or organization and then, without using force or coercion, motivating people to work together toward making the vision a reality.

Join us for a 20 minute shot of inspiration, as we hear from Rebecca Shannon about how creating self-motivation may not come in the way you imagine. A few of the attendees shared their experiences too.

Simon is joined by Rebecca Shannon for one shot of inspiration, as we take 20 minutes out of the day to kick-start your week. No fluff. Just energy and action. And one nugget of intelligence that will advance your mindset and make you better at your job. Different topics each week. Shot #4: OMG & a whole lot of attitude: How to thrive as a leader*. And how to inspire a following. *And not just in business!

Join us for one shot of inspiration, as we take 20 minutes out of the day to kick-start your week. No fluff. Just energy and action. And one nugget of intelligence that will advance your mindset and make you better at your job. Different topics each week. Shot #3: Habits - making and breaking them. A great habit for self-growth is routinely making and breaking habits. Habits forge our lives. We need them. But how can they work for us? Find out.

Join Rebecca Shannon and Jon Brook for one shot of inspiration, as we take 20 minutes out of the day to kick-start your week. Shot 2: Pricing - How to contemporise the way you charge your client, revolutionise your working practices and make more money.

Simon got together for an impromptu session with performance coach, Rebecca Shannon, for a session on how leaders can be their own coach.

Join performance coach Rebecca Shannon for one shot of inspiration, as we take 20 minutes out of the day to kick-start your week. No fluff. Just energy and action. And one nugget of intelligence that will advance your mindset and make you better at your job. Different topics each week. Shot 1: VUCA - the world solutions leadership theory framework. Volatility. Uncertainty. Complexity. Ambiguity. Let's do this.

Join us for a dynamic and engaging session, uncovering the secrets to how successful people remain positive and move forward even in the toughest times. What is it about elite performers that distinguish them from the rest? How do they bounce back from adversity? And what coping mechanisms are deployed to keep going and reorienting? Where does the focus come from? For 45 minutes we will be joined by the incomparable high performance leadership coach Jamil Qureshi, as we explore how to create a mindset of calm, control and celebration even when everything around us is uncertain. Jamil will take us in a journey of discovery, highlighting behaviours you can adopt to ensure you continue to feel like you're moving forward in both your commercial and recreational worlds. Reinvent your imagination.

Simon is joined by the fabulous recruitment marketing legend that is Lisa Jones - the industry's 'pocket rocket'! This session will give you time and ideas to help you focus on the immediate future of your recruitment business, and recruitment marketing job – and how marketing can add genuine value to sales pipelines. Recruitment marketers are heroes. Most recruitment leaders recognise that. Join us to ensure business is saved through marketing.

"This is no time for ease and comfort; It is time to dare and endure." - Winston Churchill The recruitment landscape has changed forever. The COVID-19 pandemic was unforeseen, unprecedented and unforgiving. The terror and torment caused will leave an indelible stain on our recreational and commercial lives. But we must move on. Because from adversity, comes opportunity. In this episode Simon is joined by Una McGuinness and outgoing REC chairman Chris Moore as they reflect on recent events, share stories and look ahead to a new dawn for the industry and changes within MO.

During this dynamic and interactive session, you will hear from some of recruitment's preeminent thought-leaders, as we uncover the secrets to creating your personal brand and unlocking the power of story-based marketing. Simon is joined by Amelia Sordell, Victoria Rush, Andrew MacAskill and Hishem Azzouz. You will leave with 100% actionable pointers to improve your daily responsibilities immediately.

An accidental soundbite during a Team Talk chat between Grant Bristow, Aaron Leslie and Simon Lewis During a discussion around recruitment outsourcing, Gran's impression of Charlie Mullins makes for a wonderful interlude.

Simon is joined by Una McGuinness and Justin Auckland as they discuss the operational elements to building and running a successful recruitment agency business. They explore mistakes to avoid and demonstrate how you can power your business by surrounding yourself with support and an outsourced solution that will focus on the stuff you need to get right, so you don't have to.

Great leadership and culture development has never been more important. One of the world's preeminent speakers will help you nail it. Simon is joined by one of the world's most sought-after performance coaches and psychologists, as they explore what great leadership looks like in the new context, whilst answering the billion dollar questions surrounding cultural development. Key takeaways: How leaders and teams are staying motivated How leaders and teams can stay unified Understanding productivity and balance The big picture of change for business culture

Every staffing business needs proper legal guidance. Knowing more than your clients and competition saves time, money and reputation. In this insightful episode Simon is joined by Lucy Tarrant, founder of recruitment lawyer experts Cognitive Law.

In this engaging episode Simon is joined by purposeful leadership champion, Rebecca Shannon. Without culture, you are nothing. "Your culture is your past, your culture is your future. Without the past, you have no future and without culture, you have nothing. We must learn to bring our cultures into the present and make the modern way of life, marry with the past" This session will help build foundations for a culture that you, your staff and future employees will want to to be a part of.

Buckle-up! In this electric episode Simon is joined by Jim Berrisford and a panel of recruitment experts as they bring agency and in-house recruitment leaders together to discuss building relationships for the modern market. In the blue corner: Janine Owen & Rohan Shah (agency recruitment) In the red corner: Elizabeth Lembke & Akbar Karenga (in-house recruitment)

Simon Lewis introduces retained search expert Louise Archer into the MembersOnly network, as they discuss the importance of breaking away from the reliance of contingency recruitment. Together, Louise and Simon discuss: Know the best target clients for Retained Search Understand exactly what retained search is and why clients buy it Learn how to position a Retained offering alongside your other services Find out which of your consultants will be the most successful – the right consultants to sell and deliver the product How to ensure it's a long term success and not just a flash in the pan!

Fireside chat with Volcanic Sales Director, Darren Curtis. Discussing how the recruitment landscape might look post-COVID.

Talking recruitment marketing strategy with Una McGuinness and Glenn Southam. This session is designed for recruitment agency owners and marketing professionals tasked with producing a strategy fit for a re-imagined and new-look industry. Are you in need of an injection of activity that will create immediate results but also allow you to contribute and shape your strategy for a post-COVID future? So what actions must we as recruitment leaders and marketing custodians take to overcome the challenges?

Fireside chat with Dan Lewis, co-founder of marketing & digital recruitment agency, NU Creative. We discuss overcoming the challenges of being on furlough from your own company, and what the future holds for the businesses moving forward.