Scottish recruitment firm Ten Live have successfully defied the
downward trend in unemployment by dramatically exceeding all initial
expectations to report a gross turnover of £1.2m within their first six
months of trading. These results firmly position the Coatbridge-based
consultancy as one of the fastest growing recruitment agencies in
Scotland.
Despite the news this week that unemployment in Scotland has risen by
a further 13,000 to 231,000 (8.6 per cent)* between June and August,
Ten Live are enjoying a period of continuous growth that has set the
fledgling agency on course for a projected turnover of £2.1m by the end
of their first full year of trading in March 2011.
Commenting on these latest results, Gary Telfer, joint owner and
Director of Ten Live, said: “From the outset we have been very focused
on what we want to achieve. We have created a company and brand that is
buzzing and very exciting with new and innovative plans to drive the
business forward.
“We have many clients and influential contacts we have worked with
over many years who have been very supportive of Ten Live. Indeed, from
day one we started trading with a FTSE 100 global engineering client
which was soon followed by a number of global 3rd party Logistics
companies who also came on board with us very quickly.”
With nearly forty years combined recruitment industry experience
between them, Ten Live’s husband and wife co-founders Gary and Joanne
Telfer had worked together with the same firms for 16 years in various
senior management and director positions before deciding to join forces
in establishing Ten Live, based in Coatbridge on the outskirts of
Glasgow. But the setting up of Ten Live was unexpected.
“In 2009, after numerous business trips to Dubai we secured a multi
million pound deal to run all the recruitment and HR functions for one
of the top 5 organisations in the region, and we were all set to
relocate. Unfortunately, the downturn in the UAE economy and subsequent
reluctance of the client to commit contractually meant the whole project
was shelved indefinitely.
“Despite our obvious disappointment, we were boosted by the knowledge
that we could negotiate and win business at a very high level. So we
decided to take control of our destiny and start on our own with
autonomy for all aspects of the business.
“Our differing styles and skills complement each other well and has
led us to achieve significant success that has been recognised by a
number of business awards we have attained throughout our careers,
including attaining ISO status for our Integrated Management Systems and
various training awards for success using tools such as IiP and
Customer Service for both clients and job seekers alike, for instance,”
says Mr Telfer.
Although the last two years have been the most challenging period the
recruitment industry has faced since the early 1990s, with an estimated
1 in 5 consultancies forced to permanently shut up shop while the rest
of the sector experienced a drop of 25 per cent in overall billings, Ten
Live’s success to date is even more remarkable for a business that only
opened its doors in March.
“Competition in the recruitment business is fierce. But because of
our strong backgrounds in the areas of Distribution, Manufacturing,
Engineering and Scientific recruitment, we have forged a number of very
close business partnerships with several national recruitment companies
to whom we second tier.
“Where I believe we stand out from our competitors is that we are
hungry for the business compared to many others who don’t seem to be as
driven as we are. This, combined with a reputation that both Joanne and I
built up over the years for providing a quality service with strong
customer focus and while achieving what we say we will, has instilled
trust with both clients we have previously worked with and new clients
we are converting weekly as Ten Live - it’s simply back to basics
recruitment that has proven to be a winning formula,” he added.
When Ten Live started trading in March their initial forecast for
Year 1 was £1.5m. However, with four additional staff recruited to the
business and between 90 and 120 temporary and contract staff placed each
week, these figures have since been revised and the company is on
course to achieve a turnover of £2.1m for their full first year. But the
Telfer’s attribute much of their success to the strength of the support
network they have behind them.
As Gary Telfer explains: “We have surrounded ourselves with talented,
positive, professionals who have a keen interest in helping the
business grow, such as Support Services Group whose extensive experience
in setting up recruitment consultancies like ours quite literally
enabled us to set our business up for success from day one - taking away
all the stress associated with branding, web presence, factors,
legislation, HMRC, accounts and payroll. Their expertise has enabled us
to focus us on our expertise.”
So with more and more recruiters looking to start their own
consultancies, what advice would Ten Live give?
“Ultimately, focussing on the positives and your integrity as people
is critical to the success of any business,” says Mr Telfer. “Be
prepared for a sleepless first 3 months, but remain positive and believe
in your ability because there is plenty of business out there for
everyone.
“And if you have ambition matched with a good business plan, surround
yourself with like-minded people who can give you the ongoing support
you need to make your business work such as Support services Group,
supporting you every day without compromising your own identity. Indeed,
much of Ten Live’s success to date has been down to Alyson Watson and
Karen McGuigan – who were trusted colleagues and friends. At the very
start we offered them the opportunity- and they jumped at the chance- to
become shareholders in the business with Divisional Manager status. And
their enthusiasm and motivation combined with their high degree of
professionalism have played a significant role in driving the business
forward.”
Clare Armstrong, director of operations and policy at Support Service
Group, said:
“From our initial meeting with Gary and Joanne in Scotland, it was
clear that they had the necessary skill, ambition and determination to
build a really successful company. We are proud to have been able to
support them on their journey and look forward to working with them as
they continue to grow their business.”
Ten Live are currently looking to add to appoint senior recruitment
professionals regardless of sector specialism who can present a strong
business plan. In return, they will receive total support, the autonomy
to grow their own division within Ten Live, and the option of becoming a
shareholder in one of the fastest growing consultancies in the country.
For more information about the opportunities available, please contact
Joanne Telfer on 01236 702007 or email info@tenlive.co.uk
*Source: Office of National Statistics, 13th October 2010