The Recruitment Leadership Podcast

Available Episodes

5 of 73

Supercharging Business Development with Tech: Building Credibility and Consistency with Darren Westall, CEO of Paiger
Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. In this episode, Alison is joined by Darren Westall, CEO and Co-founder of Paiger - a platform originally known for personal branding, but now a powerful engine for business development enablement. Darren shares the story behind Pager’s evolution - from a social scheduling tool into a BD productivity platform trusted by over 1000 staffing businesses. Together, he and Alison explore what recruiters really need to build a pipeline effectively, especially in today’s saturated and cautious market. In this conversation, they cover: 💡 Why BD performance is stalling in so many firms, and what’s really behind it 💡 The gap between “doing more” and “doing better” 💡 How Pager helps recruiters find vacancies, research clients, and automate intelligently (without losing the human edge) 💡 The psychology behind “phone fear”, and how better prep removes it 💡 What recruitment leaders often get wrong about tech implementation 💡 Why smart automation supports BD, but doesn’t replace it 💡 Where AI is heading in recruitment, and the unexpected challenges it may bring 🎁 Darren also offers an exclusive bonus for Recruitment Leadership Podcast listeners - the first 10 people to contact Pager and mention this episode or Alison Humphries will unlock a special offer. Details on how to claim it are included in the episode. Whether you're leading a sales team, implementing new tech, or just trying to get more consistent BD from your consultants - this is essential listening for agency owners and sales leaders alike. Connect with Darren Westall on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at [email protected].
--------
41:30
--------
41:30
Building a Better BD Strategy: Recruitment Sales Lessons with Ben Browning, Founder of Resonant
Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. In this episode, Alison is joined by Ben Browning, Founder of Resonant and host of the Recruiting Better Podcast, to tackle one of the biggest (and most neglected) challenges in recruitment: business development. With insights drawn from Resonant’s recent State of BD report - covering over 500 firms - Ben shares why so many recruitment businesses still treat BD as a reactive, last-minute scramble… and what high-performing agencies are doing differently. Together, they unpack: 💡Why 76% of recruiters lack a consistent BD strategy 💡What’s driving underperformance - and what to fix first 💡 How to position your service around real business problems, not just open vacancies 💡 The 5 pillars of account development - and how to use them to boost revenue and retention 💡 Why systems and strategy matter more than charisma when it comes to sales You’ll also hear practical ideas for improving sales culture, creating accountability, and building a repeatable process that doesn’t rely on one “superstar biller” to hit the target. 🎁 Ben is offering listeners a free Blueprint Call - a no-pressure opportunity to review your current BD strategy and spot opportunities for improvement. Details on how to claim it are in the episode. If you're a recruitment leader looking to build a more confident, consistent and commercial approach to sales - this is essential listening. Connect with Ben Browning on LinkedIn. Book your Blueprint Call. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at [email protected].
--------
44:10
--------
44:10
Transforming Recruitment Training with AI: Building Confidence, Capability, and Results with Will Bourne, Founder of Rekbot
Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. In this episode, Alison is joined by Will Bourne, Founder of Rekall Consulting and Rekbot - a groundbreaking AI-based training and coaching tool designed specifically for recruiters. With over 15 years of industry experience, Will shares the challenges he faced leading teams, hiring new recruiters, and trying to deliver impactful training at scale. From bootstrapped startups to running large P&Ls, his frustration with traditional training methods inspired him to build Rekbot - a tool that leverages AI to deliver real-time feedback, reinforce learning, and close the performance gap in a much smarter way. In this conversation, Alison and Will explore: 💡 Why traditional training fails to create lasting behavioural change 💡 How AI simulations help recruiters build real confidence, fast 💡 The hidden cost of relying on your top billers to train others 💡 The role of emotional reinforcement and repetition in learning 💡 Why Rekbot could open the door to hiring outside the industry - and getting ROI faster 💡 How bias detection, progress tracking, and tailored scenarios set this tool apart 🎁 Will also gives listeners an exclusive 50% discount to try Rekbot - details on how to claim it are included in the episode. Whether you're a recruitment business owner struggling with underperforming hires, a leader trying to reduce training costs, or just curious about how AI can level-up your team’s capability, this is an episode you won’t want to miss Connect with Will Bourne on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at [email protected]
--------
33:42
--------
33:42
Rehumanising Business Development: Practical Mindset Shifts with Kate O’Neill, Recruitment Coach
Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. In this episode, Alison is joined by Kate O’Neill, Recruitment Coach and Behavioural Profiling Specialist, known for her straight-talking, practical approach to business development in recruitment. Together, they explore what it really takes to make business development work, not just for the short term, but in a way that builds long-term, sustainable client relationships. Kate shares why human connection still matters more than ever in a world of automated outreach and digital tools - and what recruitment leaders can do to help their teams overcome hesitation and build real confidence on the phone. They also dive into the mindset challenges that often get mistaken for skills gaps, and how to shift the behaviours that hold people back from BD success. You’ll learn: 💡 Why “cold calling” is an outdated and unhelpful term — and what to do instead 💡 How your team’s hidden beliefs might be sabotaging their BD performance 💡 Why phone calls, in-person meetings, and follow-ups still matter more than email 💡 The link between strategic preparation and confidence on the phone 💡 What great BD conversations actually sound like — and what’s getting in the way 💡 How to create a BD process that drives consistent results, not one-off wins If you’re a recruitment leader looking to move beyond transactional BD and help your team build confidence, consistency and credibility - this is a must-listen. Connect with Kate O'Neill on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at [email protected]
--------
37:51
--------
37:51
From Boiling Frogs to Big Opportunities: Long-Term Trends in Recruitment with Louise Triance, MD of UK Recruiter
Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. In this episode, Alison is joined by Louise Triance, Managing Director of UK Recruiter and organiser of the Recruitment Agency Expo. With over three decades in the industry, Louise brings a broad and informed perspective on how recruitment has changed and what recruitment leaders should be paying attention to now. While short-term data gets all the attention, Alison and Louise zoom out to examine the long-term trends - the “boiling frog” changes slowly, reshaping the industry. From stalled productivity and the rise in micro-agencies to shifting client expectations and the limits of AI, they explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. Most importantly, they highlight why each of these shifts is an opportunity, if you can spot it and adapt. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: 💡Why productivity per head has barely shifted in 25 years, and what might be behind it 💡 The risk of sounding the same as everyone else and how to genuinely differentiate your agency 💡 Why face-to-face still matters and what we’re losing by avoiding it 💡 The limitations of AI in candidate experience and how to use it without losing the human touch 💡 How to sell more sophisticated services (like SOW and employer brand consultancy) with confidence 💡 The rise of peer collaboration and why it’s a good sign for the industry’s future If you’re a recruitment business owner or leader looking for a broader perspective on what’s happening in the industry - and how to navigate it - this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Listen now to discover how recruitment is changing and how to stay one step ahead. Connect with Louise Triance on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at [email protected].
--------
36:36
--------
36:36