CGA Recruitment

Background

With extensive recruitment industry experience gained from a large international agency, Claire Gibson decided to put this experience to good use and take the plunge to form her own company. So, in 1996, Claire set up CGA Recruitment, along with fellow Director and shareholder Nick Bailey. The rationale for the new business was to capitalise on a poorly serviced market by providing exceptional levels of customer service, which they knew were sadly lacking in the market place. CGA initially provided industrial placements to a cross section of local businesses, and achieved sales of £250k in its first year of operation. The business grew steadily and profitably in subsequent years, building an excellent reputation for reliability and delivery.

Having quickly outgrown their first small office, the Directors purchased new premises in Blackburn in 2002, and expanded the administration and recruitment team as the business developed. Growth continued from the industrial placement sector but the company also began to win clients in the commercial sector. After several years of sustained growth, the business began to plateau and the recession started to bite across all their client markets, with CGA losing around 50% if its client base. The Directors realised that an external view of the business was required to provide a new impetus and to prepare the business for the anticipated upturn and the longer term future of the company.

Support

Claire signed up to the High Growth Programme in April 2009 to receive 10 days of coaching support, specifically focused on strategic business planning and marketing.  The support received from the High Growth business coach included;

•    Helping the Directors to ‘step back’ and have a more considered view of their markets
•    Developing a strategic plan for the business using the Vision Orbit and Single Page Plan
•    Redefining the marketing strategy and tactical approach
•    Coaching key members of staff
•    Personal mentoring to Claire
•    Improving presentation and telesales skills of the staff

Outcome

•    Successfully entered and developed new markets
•    Company has returned to sales growth
•    Increased and improved profit margins
•    Revitalised the business
•    Improved cash flow and financial control
•    Have developed a business model for controlled, profitable growth
•    Improved staff morale
•    Much more cost effective marketing in place