Recruitment Matters International March Newsletter

After all the publicity and announcements, you can't fail to be aware that there are new IR35 rules coming into effect for off-payroll workers from April 6th. Although the decision to switch contract worker status resides with the end client, recruitment agencies still have their part to play. If you are still not sure how that affects you, now would be a good time to find out :)

 
We touched last month on the growing debate of working at home versus the office. Have you seen the Nationwide's solution to this? Under a new flexibility scheme, they're going to allow 13,000 office staff to choose where they work - at home, at work, or even at their local branch. It does appear increasingly likely that we'll see more of these hybrid working solutions. 
 
It seems appropriate that there are an increasing number of economic green shoots appearing this Spring. Certainly, here at RMI, we are receiving more and more training enquiries which is usually a good barometer of the health of the recruitment industry in general – long may it continue!

For news of our full range of recruitment services, check out “What’s new?” later in this newsletter.
 
This month, Ideal Marketing Company MD Jess Shailes takes a look at how tough decisions can lead to exciting opportunities, including in her own company.

How is 2021 going for you so far? Read below as Warren suggests a way to help you take stock of progress so far before it’s too late, and how to develop a plan of corrective actions if required.

RMI's Associate Trainer, Sarah 'H' Gordon explores how and why developing your Emotional Intelligence can be a life changer, perhaps even a life saver.

In this month's contribution from JMW's Simon Bloch and Kelly Hurst, they look at changes to the furlough scheme, furlough fraud, and what to do about it.

If you have any requests on what you would like to see covered in future newsletters, please let us know. Also, please send your own potential editorial contributions to ken@recruitmentmatters.com. 


Making changes and the importance of challenging what works
 
                                              
Contributor: Ideal Marketing Company MD Jess Shailes takes a look at how tough decisions can lead to exciting new opportunities.
 
We’re no strangers to change at the Ideal Marketing Company. In four years, we’ve had four MDs, been through a change in ownership and removed and added services. And if that wasn’t enough, in January, we went through another significant transition by making a permanent move to remote working.
 
On a day-to-day basis, this change in how we work makes very little difference to how we had been successfully operating since the pandemic forced us into working at home in March last year. However, the move does create new possibilities both for our future direction and our short-term options.
 
I’d like to share some marketing and business lessons from our real life experience.
 
Letting go of what was an important part of our history, a gorgeous environment to work from in a building that was part of Market Harborough history wasn’t easy. I will admit that I grappled with doubts and my ego. However, in the end what was best for the future of the company won.
 
So I ask you:
 
What are you doing just because it’s always been done?
 
As we fast approach our  budget setting deadlines for the year ahead, this could apply to how your marketing budget is allocated. For many, the marketing budget is just a duplicate of the previous year’s. However, some of our clients are using the Covid-19 restrictions to test alternative marketing methods to the conferences and event sponsorships they’ve always committed to. We got the ‘opportunity’ to find out that remote working works for us; is there something you could test out that might usually feel like too much of a break from the status quo?
 
Is what you’re doing working?
 
Your digital marketing efforts will have some tracking in place as standard. But when did you last review the engagement stats? Or test an alternative way of doing things using A/B split testing? I looked at all the different ways we could invest the money that was previously tied up in the office, and calculated that same investment could make a difference both in how we operate and the services we can provide to our clients.
 
Have you asked for a second opinion?
 
A fresh pair of eyes can reveal some really helpful insights when you’re too close to a problem or feeling precious about your work. We’ve all been there, and my decision to leave the office was aided by insightful coaching questions and detailed conversations with trusted business advisors.
 
A fresh perspective on your marketing
 
While no one would have asked for the position we find ourselves in almost a year on from the original ‘stay at home’ order, we do have a unique chance to challenge what we’ve always done in business and marketing and find an alternative way to operate that we carry with us into the new normal. 
 
For a free consultation about your marketing needs, from branding to PR to digital marketing, visit idealmarketingcompany.co.uk or call 01858 44 55 43.


Time to review your year so far



Contributor: Warren Kemp, CEO and Trainer, Recruitment Matters International. Warren is also a qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor
 
Well, like me, are you wondering where Q1 has gone?  Did it pan out as planned? Have you hit the targets and goals you visualised back in January? Before you say goodbye to another 3 months you will never get back you may find it beneficial to (objectively) review what you have done well and not so well and what you will change.
 
One of the simplest tools to do that is the PIG Grid – Performance Improvement Grid.
 
Make just four headings – STOP, START, LESS and MORE.

Now list under each heading things you will STOP doing that didn’t work or weren’t wanted, things you will START doing that either you have been asked for or seems beneficial to do, or a new initiative. Then things you will do LESS of that perhaps you will cherry pick to do for select clients or things that, although they still work, they are less effective than they once were; and things you will do MORE of as you have had good feedback and/or results when you have taken the time to do them.
 
The PIG Grid doesn’t change the number of hours you work (unless that’s one of your things to change, of course) but simply helps you get more from the hours and effort you put in. Make sure you do this same exercise quarterly – put that on your START list!
 
Warren Kemp is CEO and trainer with Recruitment Matters International. For more tips, advice and information on RMI, visit https://recruitmentmatters.com/  telephone 0800 0749 289/ +44 (0)1529 410375 or email info@recruitmentmatters.com.
 

Emotional Intelligence can be a matter of life and death

Contributor: Sarah ‘H’ Gordon, Associate Trainer, RMI

 


 

• 90 days after receipt of the grant not entitled to;
• 90 days after receipt of the grant not entitled to, due to a change in circumstances;
• 20 October 2020 (90 days after royal assent of the Finance Act).

1. Was the employee furloughed specifically due to the impact of Covid-19?
2. Were they employed on 19 March 2020 and listed on the PAYE system on this date?
3. Did they receive notification of furlough in writing, and agree to it?
4. Were they on flexi-furlough from 1 July 2020?
5. Had they previously been furloughed between 1^st March 2020 and 30^th June 2020? If not, they will have been ineligible for furlough from 1 July 2020 onwards.
6. The maximum number of employees furloughed at any one time from 1^st July 2020 cannot exceed the total maximum number of those furloughed between 1^st March 2020 and 30^th June 2020.
7. Did any furloughed employees work whilst on furlough? For the avoidance of doubt, employers should not ask employees to do this.
8. Review your records and make a report of any employees who fall into the above category.

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