The Recruitment and Employment Confederationís Academy for Business is widening the portfolio of support services that it offers to recruitment entrepreneurs and newly established companies, all designed to help them meet the challenges that the economic downturn currently presents.
The RECís Academy for Business – Includes the UKís first integrated business support service designed for recruiters – as well as training, qualifications and business partner programmes. Following itís most recent expansion the service now boasts an extensive consultancy arm reflecting the continuing demand for expert support and guidance to assist recruitment businesses through their present difficulties.
The support is also geared towards helping new businesses realise their commercial potential. In particular the Academy for Businessí services are tailored towards helping entrepreneurs use the downturn as an opportunity to launch extra products and services, coach and develop their staff to reach their full potential or have their business viability assessed before they move to the next level.
Prior to becoming integral to the Academy of Business - launched earlier this year to coincide with the start of RECís highly successful HELP campaign, the RECís consultancy services has already built up an established track record in helping hundreds of start-ups and fledgling businesses get off the ground.
Formerly known as the Recruitment Industry Taskforce for Enterprise (RITE), it was launched five years ago as the only support service geared towards improving survival prospects for new recruitment agencies.
Director REC Business Support Sam Strange said: ìStarting your own business is one of the most exciting ventures anyone can undertake, but it can also be a daunting task so it is essential that from the outset, individually tailored help and advice is at hand to take away much of the initial stress and strain. At the same time we have recognised that existing businesses can benefit from additional guidance and support, especially in the current climate, and we are constantly reviewing our services to help agencies move to the next level.î
ìStandards are at the heart of everything the REC does which is why our services are about helping both new and existing businesses meet the highest levels of good practice and differentiate themselves in the market place.î
The additional Academy for Business services being offered include:
ï Business Health Check incorporating an objective, robust review of a companyís strategy to help businesses realise their potential and prepare for the next phase of their development
ï Fee-Earner Performance Coaching – a one to one coaching and performance product delivered by REC industry experts to help improve consultantsí productivity
ï Mentoring Services – an offering which has been available from the REC for sometime but is now even more geared up to help businesses in very specific areas of development such as diversification into new markets, preparing for the sale of a business or reviewing processes, procedures and compliance.
On the Business Health Check, Sam Strange explained: ìAllowing an objective consultant to carry out a comprehensive review provides an excellent opportunity for the business to examine its priorities and style so it can build on its success ready for when the economic climate really begins to improve.î
These business support products, which have been launched to assist recruitment businesses through the current downturn, have been created by industry ìgurusî who understand the current market difficulties and so can impart knowledge and support in areas where they are most needed.
In addition, the Academyís Start-Up Services continue to be very popular to both experienced entrepreneurs new to recruitment or experienced recruiters new to business.
Sam Strange explained: ìThrough constant research and feedback, we know the old ëone size fits allí maxim does not apply to industries such as recruitment. As the industryís representative body, we have both the knowledge and expertise to ensure that the right kind of support is given irrespective of the circumstances and conditions in which businesses are operating.î
For more details about the Academy for Business, please contact Alison Kennedy, 020 7009 2131 or visit the website
REC Academy for Business Expands its Services
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