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Business Brains on Tour: Mike Southon

November sees the REC hitting the road for Business Brains On Tour, which brings together some top UK business talent to share their business knowledge to help you grow and develop your recruitment business.

One of our “brains” is Mike Southon, the Beermat Entrepreneur who has advised hundreds of businesses about how to grow, build the right teams and focus on the customer.

The REC caught up with Mike for a quick chat to find out what we can expect from him on tour.

Please sum up your business philosophy in no more than 140 characters?

The Beatles said: “all you need is love”; “and in the end the love you take is the love you make”. Love your work, your customers and your staff; what goes round comes round

The economic pressures on recruitment agencies have grown in recent years – what one essential tip can you give to recruiters to help them build their business?

Work hard, work smart, find your niche, keep it simple and always hire people better than yourself.

Recruitment has undergone huge changes in the way that it operates – what characteristics would you say are the most valuable for a successful recruitment business owner to have in the new environment?

Passion for what they do, the ability to always learn, particularly listening to good advice from their mentors.

Social media has had a massive impact on the way that recruiters operate and there are a range of options on offer – what approach would you advise recruiters to take to get the most out of their social media?

Hire a young geek, who loves and understands social media and is good using it.

The UK recruitment industry is continuing to grow and operate on a more global scale – what benefits are there to recruiters considering overseas markets?

Not all economies are in recession – find a growing market, and hire good local people.

Retaining high quality staff is key to driving business forward – what advice can you give to recruiters to make sure they hold onto to their top talent?

Be a good leader – have a clear vision, be a people person, be consistent, listen carefully and communicate well.

What would you say is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever been given?

From my own mentor, Sir Campbell Fraser, a Scot: “Watch the cash, laddie.”
Always run a cash-positive business; in good times, banks offer you enticing debt. Turn it down! In bad times, they can change interest rates and terms randomly if they don’t like you.

The Business Brains on Tour will be running on the 19, 20 and 21 of November in Birmingham, Manchester and London. Click here to book tickets or for more information.