Regulation implementation ‘provides plenty of benefits’

New employment regulations imposed in October have had many benefits for agency workers and recruitment agencies themselves, according to one sector body.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) says that Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) allow businesses to build flexibility into their workforce, with the key being to ensure that they are implemented through a partnership approach between employers and agencies.

Kevin Green, the REC's chief executive, said one of the effects of the new regulations is that some temporary workers are being employed on a permanent basis by agencies.

"This is good news for temps as they get more job security. At the same time, agencies can benefit from having committed workers on their books and employers continue to have access to a crucial flexible resource," he added.

He also noted that options such as the 'Swedish Derogation' model do not provide 'get-out clauses' but rather legitimate new supply methods.

If properly implemented, it is a good way of protecting jobs and keeping the UK workforce flexible, Mr Green stated.

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Posted by Wayne Bly

UK job opportunities and employer demand increase

The number of job opportunities in the UK has increased, along with demand from employers, according to latest figures.

Data released by Reed as part of its monthly Job Index shows that job opportunities for UK staff, including sales recruitment hopefuls, are currently at an eight-month high, with a reading of 129 on the index.

Overall, demand for new staff rose by at least 10 points across core business job sectors such as IT (rising 24 points to 173) and marketing (143).

There was also a significant increase in demand for sales professionals, with this sector showing a reading of 143 in October, compared with September.

Martin Warnes, managing director of Reed, said analysts need to be careful not to get "carried away" by one month’s figures.

"Nevertheless, the rise suggests a returning employer optimism, at a level not seen for the last eight months. Job demand across the country has recovered strongly across nearly all areas of the private sector, compared to the previous quarter," he added.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by Richard Esquilant

Loyalty schemes can have ‘a major impact’ on staff

Companies which implement loyalty schemes may find that it has a significant impact on the productivity of their workers.

However, these firms need to ensure that any such schemes are implemented correctly to avoid discontent and negative consequences, said Sarah Cross, managing director of Uber.

She advised organisations to do their research and see what it is likely to work and what is not, then tailor the loyalty scheme around it.

"Getting loyalty right can have a huge impact on your business and staff, getting it wrong can equally have a huge impact in the wrong way," Ms Cross noted.

She added that it is vital to measure success of a loyalty scheme on a regular basis, adding that it is normal to see results after a 12-month period due to the "strategic long-term approach" loyalty brings.

Bruce Temkin, former Forrester Research principal analyst, said companies need to do all they can to boost customer loyalty and improve client retention in the coming months in order to maintain economic recovery.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Half of UK employees ‘enjoy their jobs’

Almost half of workers in the UK are either happy with their job or love it, according to a new industry survey.

Research carried out by Reabur found that 22 per cent of UK staff, including those in sales jobs, loved their occupation, with a further 26 per cent saying they are happy in their current role.

Just seven per cent of UK staff hate their current job, with 12 per cent claiming they are indifferent and 31 per cent somewhat unhappy with their job.

One in ten Britons said they are currently in their dream job, while 34 per cent said they are 'almost' in their ideal role.

Georgina Read, co-managing director of Reabur.com, said the findings show that many people should possibly consider looking for a new role to boost their happiness levels.

"Finding a new job can be time consuming and a little daunting, but if the result leads to a happier career and employee, then I would strongly recommend exploring the alternative options and getting advice from a professional in career development," she added.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by Wayne Bly

Getting the best out of workers ‘is tricky’

It is currently a challenge for many firms to get the best out of workers and help to drive productivity across their organisation, one expert has observed.

According to Dianah Worman, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development diversity adviser, encouraging employees to contribute more to an organisation is something that has lost importance recently.

In order to keep the traction going, managers need to have a variety of ways of stimulating the changes that need to be bedded down in businesses, with the expert advising firms to give people the recognition for achievement to keep energy levels up.

She recommended: "If you want to be really successful as a business then the best way of doing that is helping to engage your employees. You can't take your eye off the ball because we are in an economic crisis."

It comes after Wilson Wong, senior researcher at The Work Foundation, said sales managers hoping to engage their staff need to promote their company's values if they are to ensure that employers buy into the organisation's ethos.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak 

Small firms ‘drive job creation’

There has been a call to improve awareness of the important role played by the UK's small firms in driving job creation.

The Forum of Private Business, Wanobe.com and The Business Woman's Network have come together to campaign for a micro business day, which will be dedicated to recognising the economic importance of UK firms employing fewer than ten employees.

Jane Bennett, head of campaigns at the Forum, said is time for the government to stop talking micro and thinking macro and instead focus on the "real issues" of the smallest businesses.

"The jobs that will drive economic growth are expected to be created in micro businesses so it is important that we place the political spotlight squarely on them and make sure it stays there," she added.

It comes after new research from Experian covering the third quarter of 2011 showed that, while average late payment time for all UK firms went up by almost one day, to 26.13 days, employers with a small number of employees, including those in sale jobs, were able to limit the rise to just half a day.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak and Wayne Bly 

Responsible approach to business ‘can boost growth’

A more responsible approach to business can be the catalyst for sustainable growth among UK business and firms across the continent, the European Commission (EC) has claimed.

The Commission is proposing to simplify accounting rules for SMEs, which could potentially save them up to €1.7 billion (£1.4 billion) per year.

According to the EC, the proposals would also reduce burdensome reporting obligations for listed companies, including SMEs, adding further to cost savings.

Commission vice-president Antonio Tajani, who is responsible for enterprise and industry policy, said the package of measures is in the interests of both enterprises and of European society as whole.

"It reduces administrative burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises, and sets the conditions for a strong, dynamic social market economy in the medium and long term," he added.

Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Laszlo Andor added that socially responsible business stems from a realisation that the crisis is not just economic and financial but also about ethics.

"This is where social business and Corporate Social Responsibility can have a decisive impact and thus also contribute to Europe's 2020 goals of more jobs and growth."

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak and Wayne Bly  

Employment law tops company concerns

The key concern for the UK's firms over the last month has been employment law, according to the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

Based on the volume and nature of calls to its legal helping, employment law is by far the most troubling and complex area of concern for UK organisations.

This has been largely driven by two major changes to the law this month – the scrapping of the default retirement age and the introduction of Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), which were both implemented on October 1st.

Overall, 65 per cent of calls received during the period were queries about employment law, noted Phil Orford, chief executive of the FPB.

"While the burdens of employment law remain in place, keeping up with the changes and putting in place watertight procedures should remain a key priority. It is important to know your responsibilities – and act accordingly so you don't fall foul of the law," he added.

Recently, a study by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation found that the demand for agency workers in the UK is robust at the moment, with companies committed to taking on temporary staff following the introduction of AWR.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak 

Medium-sized firms ‘the key to recovery’

The UK's medium-sized organisations hold the key to economic recovery in the coming months, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The organisation described these companies as "the forgotten army", noting that they have been overlooked in the past but are able to inject up to £50 billion into the economy by 2020.

For this reason alone, more focus should be placed on these companies, according to John Cridland, CBI director-general, who noted that medium-sized companies represent less than one per cent of businesses but generate 22 per cent of economic revenue and 16 per cent of all jobs.

"We should be championing, nurturing and encouraging our medium-sized firms so that more of them grow and create jobs. For too long these companies, which could inject tens of billions of pounds into our economy, have fallen under the radar of policymakers," he added.

Meanwhile, John Longworth, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, recently said that developing the capability of the UK's workforce, including those in sales jobs, is vital to ensuring that the country continues its recovery from the economic downturn.

For all of the latest sales industry news visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk. If you are looking to hire in your sales team Aaron Wallis offer the UK’s most inclusive sales recruitment service which includes skills testing, psychometrics and a 12 month rebate scheme as standard. For Sales Director jobs visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak and Wayne Bly 

Timekeeping and communication ‘essential’ when job hunting

People on the hunt for a new role, such as a sales recruitment position, should ensure that their timekeeping and communication levels are perfect, one specialist has advised.

That is the recommendation of Recruitment Queen, which noted that a major problem for many candidates at the moment is that they cannot express traits such as their communication skills and punctuality in interviews.

Charlie Ryan, owner of the website, said the problem for many is that they note on their CV how enthusiastic and dynamic they are and that they have great timekeeping, but this is often hard to believe.

"I would say these skills are more important than having the right qualifications. I can guarantee that somebody without certain qualifications can get a job if they have all the right manners and social interpersonal skills," she added.

The expert said a company would be willing to take the risk and take them on because they are seeing people with ability and promise.

Her comments followed the publication of a recent British Chambers of Commerce report which found that many firms claim that candidates do not have the right skills for the job – including poor levels of literacy and numeracy, as well as softer skills such as timekeeping and communication.

Aaron Wallis offers one of the largest resources of interview advice and career tools available to UK jobseekers.

Posted by Richard Esquilant

Older workers are ‘more experienced and reliable’

Older workers looking for sales jobs will welcome a study that claims more mature employees have definite benefits.

Paul Green, spokesman for the over-50s group Saga, said: "They have a range of experience both of work but more importantly of life, so they can apply that experience to the job that they're in, and provide a balance in the workplace."

He added that employers appreciate this experience, adding that knowledge cannot be bought off the shelf, it has to be acquired over time.

The comments follow research by Institute of Geriatrics at the University of Montreal which found that people over-55s use their brains more effectively than younger members of staff.

The findings contradict previous theories - and popular beliefs - that suggest our brains deteriorate with age, making us less able to make reasoned decisions.

"Older people can also be more reliable and more flexible. I think that's certainly very appealing to employers at the moment," Mr Green added.

Aaron Wallis offer hundreds of sales jobs together with some of the most comprehensive sales tips and career advice available to UK sales jobseekers. Achieve the sales career you deserve.

Posted by Richard Esquilant

Most wanted leadership traits unveiled

Creating a strategic vision is one of the most important skills leaders should demonstrate when it comes to management.

In a survey of 1,400 chief executive officers and HR professionals by global talent and career management consultancy Right Management and the Chally Group, 92 per cent claimed they want their managers, including those in sales jobs, to display this trait.

Inspiring others and maintaining leadership responsibility was cited as important by two-thirds, while developing an accurate and comprehensive overview of the business was an essential skill to just over half.

Sue Roffey-Jones, practice leader at Right Management, said: "In today's business environment leadership development needs to be grounded in real work and focused on the critical competencies required for success in C-level roles."

She added that today leadership development is "more science than art".

Leadership skills were also named as the top priority for learning and development teams over the next 12 months, according to Video Arts.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Use CVs to highlight achievements

Showing off you highest achievements on a personal statement is vital for people hoping to secure a job.

Beverley Woodhams, head of central recruitment at the University of Greenwich, said that it was important that people show off their specific areas of interest as well as point out any work they have done that may have set them apart from their peers.

"Report on your extra-curricular activities, such as hobbies, part-time work, caring or other responsibilities. Candidates should articulate how they have grown or developed skills as a result," she suggested.

She said that while job seekers should ensure their claims are "honest and enthusiastic", they should definitely avoid making exaggerated claims.

This is because questions may be asked about them in the interview, which would put them in a bad light if it were to come out they embellished their application.

Meanwhile, recent research carried out by Hays revealed that two-thirds of workers would take another job if it was offered to them.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by Wayne Bly

Better language skills ‘will boost UK economy’

People on the hunt for a new job have been urged to hone their foreign language skills in order to increase their chances of success.

Dr Jim Anderson, senior lecturer in language and education at Goldsmiths, University of London, said that languages are vital to the economy and the lack of foreign language skills in the UK is having a negative impact on the nation's business success.

He said that while European languages are important to business at the moment, it is likely that in the future Chinese and Arabic will also play key roles.

"Language skills develop intercultural competence. Citizenship in a globalising world is vitally important if we are going to develop proper understanding with people in different countries and to be able to understand the different perspectives," Dr Anderson concluded.

His comments follow reports over the last few years by CILT, the National Centre for Languages called Talking World Class, and the CBI which have revealed the damaging effect the UK's lack of language skills is having.

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Posted by Wayne Bly

Developing workforce capability ‘is crucial’

Developing the capability of the UK's workforce is vital to ensuring that the country continues its recovery from the economic downturn, it has been claimed.

John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said people are "at the heart" of every successful business, and noted that improving their skillsets will boost the UK's economic competitiveness.

"UK companies continue to invest in their workforce, and they still want to take on staff and expand despite a difficult economic climate. However, firms looking to recruit are stymied by the poor skills available within the local labour pool," he added.

Mr Longworth added that employers also want to see sales recruitment candidates with a strong worth ethic and soft skills such as timekeeping and communication that are fundamental in the work environment.

According to a recent survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 67 per cent of firms are currently focusing on developing skills and competence and 54 per cent on supporting career transition.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by Richard Esquilant

UK firms ‘need a more skilled workforce’

Companies in the UK need staff with greater and more diverse skillsets to help maintain economic recovery, it has been claimed.

In a new report today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), entitled Skills for Business: More to Learn?, the organisation claims that the majority of businesses find it hard to recruit the right staff.

The research looked at the issues around skills, apprenticeships and training to understand the challenges faced by businesses operating in a labour market which has been dramatically altered by the financial crisis.

In a survey of 6,000 businesses, almost half said that it was either difficult or very difficult to find the right member staff for a position.

Many firms claim candidates do not have the right skills for the job, which includes poor levels of literacy and numeracy, as well as softer skills such as timekeeping and communication.

"With increasing levels of youth unemployment and businesses unable to get the right staff, the UK's education system must better equip young people with the skills needed for the workplace," the BCC stated.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by Wayne Bly 

Managers ‘must promote company values’ to staff

Sales managers hoping to engage their staff need to promote their company's values if they are to ensure that employers buy into the organisation's ethos, one expert has advised.

That is the opinion of Wilson Wong, senior researcher at The Work Foundation, who said there are many initial steps employers can take towards improving the culture of their workplace.

His comments follow the publication of ORC International's latest perspectives survey, which found employee engagement in the UK is lower than ever, having fallen four places in their rankings to 17th.

Mr Wong said that ensuring a "clear, consistent message" of the values of the organisation and for everyone to be held accountable to these is a necessary condition for a positive culture at the workplace.

However, he added: "It isn't easy, especially if the legacy is heavy or the CEO is particularly focused on [certain] goals at the expense of values."

According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), 77 per cent of organisations are currently employing coaching techniques to motivate and engage staff, including those in sales jobs.

For Sales Managers Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment provide all of the latest news in the UK sales industry to help you keep your team in touch with changing trends and developments. For sales manager jobs and unique sales recruitment services, backed by a 52 week rebate scheme, visit www.aaronwallis.co.uk.

Posted by John Oak 

Recruitment industry ‘experiencing a surge’

The UK recruitment industry is currently experiencing a surge in demand for all aspects of assistance from recruitment agencies, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has noted.

According to the organisation, understanding client needs and employer brand are a "key part" of delivering "real value", while also helping firms prepare for challenges such as the implementation of Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) earlier this month.

Judith Armatage, the REC's director of professional development, commented: "As an industry, we are starting to adopt a mind-set of continuous improvement, which is reflected in a surge in demand for training, mentoring and qualifications."

She added that the industry now needs to build on this momentum through the qualifications agenda, with client satisfaction levels continuing to provide a "crucial marker" as to how recruitment agencies are faring.

A recent study by the REC found that the demand for agency workers in the UK is robust at the moment, with companies committed to taking on temporary staff following the introduction of AWR.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Confidence ‘is vital’ when job hunting

People on the hunt for a new job need to have confidence in their ability to succeed, one specialist has advised.

The importance of confidence can not be overstated as far as looking for, and landing, a new role is concerned, said Charles Logan, director at Hays.

He noted that prospective employers will be able to sense when sales recruitment candidates are not confident and this will dampen their chances of getting the job considerably, so a confident aura is vital.

The expert elaborated: "Not only does it help candidates believe that they are capable of getting another role, but it will help them to demonstrate to a potential employer that they are able to add value."

He said that it is not surprising that older candidates are sometimes reluctant to look for a new job, but they should still take time to see which roles are available, no matter what their age or situation.

A spokesperson for Jobsite recently said that sales recruitment candidates and other applicants on the hunt for new roles can find it to be a daunting experience, but there is plenty of help on hand in the form of recruitment agencies.

Aaron Wallis offers one of the largest resources of interview advice and career tools available to UK jobseekers.

Posted by Wayne Bly

Two-thirds of workers ‘looking for another role’

Two-thirds of UK staff are actively looking for another job at the moment, according to the latest industry survey.

Research carried out by Hays found that 67 per cent of the population would leave their current role immediately if they were offered a better role, such as a sales job, which offered better prospects.

In contrast, a third of staff who are not currently looking for a jobs are staying put because they believe it offers more security in a turbulent job market.

The poll found that 18 per cent of staff believe there are no jobs that require the skills they have, while 21 per cent believe they would not be able to find a better-paid position at the moment.

Charles Logan, director at Hays, said the survey highlights the contradicting opinions of UK workers when it comes to their job prospects and ambitions.

"Many sectors are still looking for talented staff and there is good demand for people. The onus is on job seekers to make sure they have the skills that are sought after by employers and can demonstrate that they are a solid investment," he added.

Aaron Wallis are a Milton Keynes Sales Recruitment agency with a unique service offering that includes 12 months rebate. Psychometric profiling and online skills testing are also included within a fixed recruitment price.

Posted by Richard Esquilant