IN THE SPOTLIGHT Q. You studied social policy and administration at university before juggling jobs as a dairy salesman and working behind a bar. How have these life-skills helped in pinpointing the right people for your clients? I think anyone who comes into recruitment thinking that they are just going into a sales role is delusional. In recruitment, you have to be not only a good sales person, but also have good communication skills, be empathetic, and be adaptable enough to consider every person that you come into contact with as an individual with individual circumstance and individual needs. My degree, although not related to recruitment, gave me a good understanding of wider societal issues – housing, health, education – that have given me a greater understanding of the issues that many of the people who work for us face on a daily basis that may affect either their ability to work, or their aptitude to work in particular professions. By better understanding the challenges that some of our candidates face, I can work with them to find the best workable solution for them, meaning our clients receive more suitable candidates that they might otherwise. Selling cheese never helped me in the slightest!
Q. Your company strap-line is ‘All About People’ – finding the best employment opportunities for candidates and the best staff for clients. It also includes investing in your workforce of 30 based at Macon Court in Crewe. Tell us about the transition from being an employee to an employer. I’ve worked for myself for so long, I can barely remember being an employee! But I can remember one previous employer whose approach to employee engagement and motivation left a lot to be desired. They believed that the more pressure they put on their employees, the better results they would get. But people don’t always work like that.
It’s important to treat each person in your team individually; find out what makes them tick and treat them accordingly. After all, what motivates one employee might be a complete turn-off to another. My 19 year-old son, Dominic, for example, now works in one of our companies. He isn’t particularly motivated by money, authority or even career progression; his motivation is being recognised for doing a good job and working in a positive environment. So we ensured he was given the right training from the outset, was placed in the right team and that he receives regular encouragement to succeed in what he does. Our ethos, ‘it’s all about people’, isn’t just a strapline; it’s an ethical way of working that ensures that anyone we deal with – Client, Candidate or Colleague – is treated decency, with respect and with due care to their particular motivations. It’s not just a ‘nice’ way of working; it ensures a better working environment which, in turn, delivers better results for all parties involved.
Q. How does being based in Crewe benefit the Absolute Group? Crewe has always been an industrial hub, and its infrastructure – with great motorway and railway links to nearby major cities – also makes it an attractive place to do business. Over recent years we have seen some big-name employers settle in the town, and the town regeneration project along with HS2 and the development of several major business parks and industrial sites means that we can expect more to follow. It’s an exciting time to be here!
Q. What do you like to do in your spare time? Outside of work, my life is dogs and pubs and music – luckily, three interests that I can often combine at once! I grew up down South, spending five years living in London whilst singing in the choir at St Paul’s Cathedral. Music has remained a passion for me and, aside from playing guitar and piano for the last 32 years, I also write film scores – I currently have around 70 finished scores but no films to put them to (although anyone who follows our
social media may have heard some of my pieces that have snuck into the background of a number of company videos)! If I ever step away from recruitment, I’d like to write music professionally. We have two dogs - Bruno, a Jack Russell cross and Moose, an American Bully pup who already weighs in at 28.5kg at only six months old! They are regulars at our local pub as much as we are! Jessica and I love to travel too, and we’ve been privileged enough to visit some of the most amazing places in the world.
Music-loving Dan was a choirboy at St Paul’s Cathedral
Q. Who inspires you and why? Two people; firstly, my Dad, who passed away several years ago. He was the most honest, decent and trustworthy person I’ve ever known. Secondly, my wife, Jessica. Those who know us know about the cancer battle she fought through so bravely ten years ago and know how she never let it stop her achieving what she wanted to achieve. She is so strong, kind and determined and I’m proud of her every day.
Q. What is your greatest achievement to date? Probably, not losing my mind after 20 plus years in recruitment!
Q. What are you looking forward to in 2022? I’d love to tell you, but I can’t. There’s a number of exciting projects coming in 2022 for the Group, but I’m not allowed to tell you anything yet! _ If you’d like to meet Dan to discuss your recruitment requirements, please call on 01270 509266 or email info@absol-group.com
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