The Sales Director News

Young people 'need better careers guidance'

03 February 2012 11:45:23

Better career guidance needs to be provided to the nation's young people in order to ensure they move into the correct profession, it has been claimed.

A new survey by Comptia shows that nearly half of young people are missing out on career opportunities due to a lack of information from schools and universities, despite having the skills employers want.

The new study reveals that 41 per cent of students do not feel well-informed about the range of careers open to them, while only 13 per cent feel their education institutions have fully equipped them to make career decisions.

John McGlinchey, a spokesman Comptia says that there is "plenty of potential" among the country's young people, but the lack of information means a huge number of jobs remain unfilled and motivated graduates remain unnecessarily unemployed.

"Contrary to popular opinion there are plenty of unfilled vacancies for young people, and plenty of young people with exactly the right aptitude and ambitions to fill them. The problem is largely one of making young people aware of these opportunities and how to get into them," he added.

The expert added that it is now vital that schools and universities try harder to make young people aware of the career opportunities available to them and ensure the right people are moving into the right roles.

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 Nikki Barrister

UK pay freezes 'are thawing'

02 February 2012 16:46:16

Pay freezes implemented around the UK as a result of the economic downturn are beginning to thaw as companies return to profit and boost salaries, new data suggests.

Figures published by Income Data Services (IDS) reveal that private sector pay deals recorded in 2012 are so far at higher levels than the whole of 2011, with the increase being driven by the manufacturing sector.

The statistics shows that January pay deals are above the 2.5 per cent typically awarded last year, with almost two thirds of these being at three per cent or above.

Ken Mulkearn, editor of IDS Pay Report, said that private sector pay settlements look like they could be higher on average than last year, but the picture so far is only a "partial one".

"If this turns out to be the case, and inflation continues to fall, private sector workers are likely to welcome the prospect of an easing-off in the squeeze on their incomes that most of them experienced over the past 12 months," he added.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said that employees will hope that the early indications of an easing in wage restraint spreads into the rest of the economy.

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

UK staff 'would go the extra mile'

02 February 2012 16:45:15

The vast majority of UK workers would illustrate their loyalty to their employer by "going the extra mile", according to a new poll of the nation's staff.

According to the survey, carried out by HR consultancy ETS, 91 per cent of employees said they were willing to go above and beyond the call of duty for their employer, which is an increase on the 89 per cent who said they would do so in the same survey carried out last year.

In addition, 80 per cent said that they would be willing to recommend their company as a great place to work, which has risen from the 79 per cent who said they would so in the 2011 poll.

Hannah Stratford, head of business psychology at ETS, said increases are "key measures of engagement", which is particularly noteworthy given some workers' levels of dissatisfaction with pay and prospects at the moment.

"It could be the case that companies have taken action to resolve issues and create a better working environment for employees. We should also remind ourselves that pay has been shown not to be a significant driver of engagement," she added.

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

Small businesses 'creating many new jobs'

01 February 2012 17:38:03

A government initiative that involved handing grants to small businesses in deprived areas has helped to create "significant numbers" of new employment positions, a new report has indicated

The Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics study revealed that businesses which received grants worth up to ten per cent of the cost of a business project, or around £5,000, created seven per cent more local jobs than if the grant had not been made.

The findings have led to calls for the coalition to reconsider its decision to scrap the Grants for Business Investment scheme, which has issued £470 million to 2,361 firms in deprived areas over the last seven years.

Professor John van Reenen, who led the study, said it showed that firms with fewer than 150 staff could be encouraged to hire unemployed people for a "relatively small cost" and boost the UK's job numbers.

"By completely scrapping it and not refocusing it on SMEs, [the coalition] was absolutely throwing the baby out with the bath water," he added.

It is now hoped the report will lead to a government U-turn and the reinstatement of the grants as the UK looks to increase job numbers in 2012.

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

Employee engagement 'a key concern' in 2012

01 February 2012 17:37:23

One of the main concerns among the nation's managers this year will be ensuring that staff are engaged with benefits programmes in order to boost worker retention, a new report has discovered.

The Mercer report also revealed that 45 per cent of employers consider cost-control as the top challenge of 2012 and 23 per cent see the improved communication and education of benefit programmes as their main priority this year.

This year mangers will operate within a context of heightened cost-cutting and increasingly consumer-driven healthcare and benefits options that put the employee in the driving seat when it comes to choice and control, the report indicates.

Naomi Saragoussi, a principal in Mercer's Health & Benefits business, commented: "At the start of 2012, we see the new benefits landscape emerging, and it should come as no surprise that this year the focus is on cutting costs. A 'do more with less' attitude will certainly characterise the coming months."

She said that the challenge of reining in costs while still offering attractive benefits will mean that employers must explore more resourceful and creative ways to manage financial expenditure and ensure best value for money.

"There is a growing trend towards employee wellbeing initiatives, increased employer-employee cost sharing and a move towards employees deciding how they want their benefits to be shaped," Ms Saragoussi added.

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

Job appointments 'on the rise' across Europe

01 February 2012 17:36:42

The number of people being employed in sales jobs and other positions is continuing to rise across the UK and the rest of Europe, according to the latest figures.

According to the EU Labour Force Survey, from the end of the second quarter of 2010 until the end of the second quarter of 2011 around 46.7 million people in 26 countries were employed in a new job.

The data is drawn from a wide range of sources, including public employment services, recruitment agencies, online services, the EU statistics office, job vacancy statistics and national statistical offices.

It revealed that employment as a whole increased by approximately one million between the second quarter of 2012 and the second quarter of 2011 – a trend expected to continue in the months ahead.

According to the latest JobsOutlook from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, 98 per cent of UK firms said they are expecting to increase or maintain their workforce over the coming 12 months.

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

UK staff 'happy and proud' to work in private sector

31 January 2012 16:12:56

The majority of employees working in the UK's private sector are happy in their role, according to a new poll of the nation's staff.

More than three-quarters of respondents to the Hays Career Outlook Survey rated their happiness at working in the private sector at six or above, with most scoring their happiness at eight.

The poll discovered that 57 per cent of private sphere staff would actively seek a role in the sector if they were starting their career again, while over four-fifths of employees would still encourage today's graduates to seek work in the private sector.

The majority of private sector staff also rate their leadership, support from management and career development opportunities as better than in the public sector, with seven in ten staff rating pride in their work within the sector as six out of ten or above.

Charles Logan, director at Hays, said the survey shows that despite the tough economic times, staff remain "remarkably positive" and proud to be working there.

"This is good news for employers because it means they have a better chance of keeping staff motivated and engaged during what is likely to be a difficult year," he added.

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

Workers 'will have more than one employer' in 25 years

31 January 2012 16:09:53

UK staff expect to be working for more than one employer in 25 years' time as conventional working arrangements become thing of the past, a new survey has found.

Research carried out by Office Angels found that the concept of a career for life could have all but disappeared in the next couple of decades and be replaced by workers pursuing a succession of different career paths and even having jobs in different sectors at the same time.

By 2037, one in four employees expects to be working for more than one employer at a time, while almost a third of respondents think that having a degree will be less valuable due to the blurring of job boundaries and ambiguous definition of a career.

Additionally, almost half of staff think career progression will no longer be linear, which will be the reason why workers pursue a series of different careers throughout their working lives as they aim to learn and develop new skills.

David Clubb, managing director of Office Angels, said it is clear that flexibility and adaptability are going to be valued increasingly highly over the next few decades, as the idea of a career takes on an "entirely new shape".

"That's not to say that having the relevant skills and a sense of dedication to the job won’t be important, but companies and employees will have to find a new balance, just as they will have to manage the challenges as well as the opportunities that working more flexibly presents," he added.

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

AWR 'has not had a negative impact'

27 January 2012 16:52:21

The implementation of Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) in the UK has not had the negative impact on the recruitment sector that some people predicted it would, it has been claimed.

Roger Tweedy, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's (REC's) director of research, said the outlook for temporary staff remains encouraging in the UK, even after AWR came into on October 1st.

He explained that the majority of employers have not had to make any changes to their use of agency workers following AWR implementation, which suggests that the impact of the regulations is only being felt in certain specific sectors.

"The data also shows that the vast majority of businesses plan to maintain or increase their use of temporary staff which indicates that flexible working options will continue to provide an important outlet for employers and jobseekers," he added.

In late December, the REC's AWR Monitor, compiled by the organisation's Policy and Professional Services and based on data and member feedback on AWR implementation, showed that in the majority of cases the transition has mainly been smooth for UK firms since October 1st.

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.

John Oak and Wayne Bly

Middle managers 'should not be forgotten'

27 January 2012 16:29:48

Companies need to avoid falling into the trap of ignoring the contribution that middle managers make to a business, one sector body has claimed.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) said that middle managers are often caught between delivering strategic objectives and managing under-pressure line managers and sometimes are first in line when organisations look to reduce head count.

However, it is also important to remember the "crucial role" these managers play in managing change, translating the objectives of senior managers into actions, and motivating others, said Ben Willmott, head of public policy at the CIPD.

"Suitably skilled middle managers can play a key role in managing change and organisation transformation. As translators, they can facilitate two-way communications between leaders and the front line and, as transformers, they can bring change to life," he explained.

Mr Willmott said much of this can be lost if change simply involves 'delayering' this middle-management tier, rather than refocusing, retraining and drawing on their skills and experiences.

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 employers 'intend to hire' in 2012

26 January 2012 16:51:31

The nation's employers are exhibiting a degree of caution but are still intending to hire over the coming months, according to the latest JobsOutlook from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

Over the coming 12 months month, 98 per cent of firms said they are expecting to increase or maintain their workforce, with six in ten firms definitely intending to take on new staff in 2012.

Despite the dip in business confidence, it is interesting to note that a significant number of businesses plan to increase or maintain staffing levels in the short and medium term, said Roger Tweedy, the REC's director of research.

"It is important to note that this confidence index is still five points above its lowest mark last September and that a significant number of businesses still plan to take on new staff during the course of year, despite the slight change in mood," he added.

The survey follows the recent Global Snapshot poll carried out by Antal International, which quizzed 19,376 companies in 52 countries and found that the majority will continuing to hire new staff, including sales recruitment candidates, in 2012.

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.

John Oak and Wayne Bly

UK firms 'confident about growth' in 2012

25 January 2012 17:04:27

The majority of UK firms are confident that they will experience growth in the coming months and expand their workforces, according to a new poll by Robert Half.

Results of the survey, carried out as part of Professional Hiring Index, shows that, despite the uncertain economic outlook, 72 per cent of UK executives are more confident about their company's growth prospects for 2012 than they were at this point in 2011.

Overall, 79 per cent of organisations are intending to either maintain or increase the number of people they employ, with the biggest drivers for increased hiring levels being rising workloads and business growth.

The data showed that 33 per cent of private companies are planning to add to their permanent headcount in 2012, while 42 per cent of publicly-listed companies are planning increases.

Phil Sheridan, managing director of Robert Half UK, said that both private and publicly-listed companies have above average confidence in their businesses' ability to grow this year.

"This positive belief in their future success is the main driver behind stronger predictions for new hires over the next six months: more than three-in-four private companies and 80 per cent of publicly-listed companies are confident in their businesses' growth prospects," he explained.

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

Attitude 'a big factor' in recruitment

25 January 2012 17:02:36

The attitude of a job candidate remains a major factor in them gaining employment or not, one expert has noted.

That is the opinion of Roger Harrop, The CEO Expert, who said that companies are "very keen" to employ people but want candidates with "a sparkle in their eye and fire in their belly".

According to the specialist, in many cases it does not matter whether they have got a degree or not, as long as the individual has something about them and the right mindset for the job.

He explained: "If it is a position for someone highly qualified then it has to be someone highly qualified, but as a general rule, what one is looking for is someone who has got bags of common sense, and that is in very short supply – plus a real desire to make stuff happen."

Mr Harrop said he has seen evidence of school leavers "running rings around graduates", but also noted that there are many graduates with the correct mindset who are running rings around other people.

"I don't necessarily think it is to do with having a degree or not, it is an attitude," the expert 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 John Oak

Talking 'still the best form of communication'

24 January 2012 17:06:21

The best way for managers to communicate with their staff is still through talking, despite the rapid rise of email and other forms of technology, one expert has noted.

Elizabeth Bacchus, director of thesuccessfulcv.com, said that the best way that managers can get the most out of people in sales jobs and other roles is for them to have plenty of face-to-face contact.

This will not only ensure that nothing gets lost in translation, but gives conversations a personal feel that is likely to leave the employee feeling they have a sense of purpose.

"Managers who provide regular feedback to their staff and an open door policy not only develop happier staff, but also long-term loyalty. Achievements need to be celebrated both on a department-by-department basis, but also as a whole company initiative," Ms Bacchus added.

The expert added that leadership by involvement is thought of highly by staff, so illustrating that managers are willing to "get their hands dirty" will also play a huge part in keeping workers onside.

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

Simple changes and flexible working 'make a difference'

24 January 2012 16:49:58

Managers can make a big difference to the attitudes and productivity of their staff by making simple changes around the workplace and introducing new ways of working, it has been claimed.

Carole Spiers, business stress consultant and author of Show Stress Who's Boss!, said that changing the layout of the office is a simple way that employers can combat low morale in the workplace, as it gives people different scenery to look at and different people to work with.

Another good option is to bring in flexible working, so that staff can start and finish at different times and plan their social lives more easily – something that is bound to have a positive effect on their attitude in the workplace, Ms Spiers noted.

"These are simple things – they're really not expensive. It's somebody thinking 'we care for the office,' and what I would say is that organisations need to try to make their offices like a family or community – it is a community," she added.

It comes after research conducting by Ambius in collaboration with the University of Exeter found employers who consult staff about their workspace and allow a degree of personalisation can reap rewards in terms of motivation.

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

'Keep staff involved' to boost productivity

23 January 2012 16:39:58

Companies can help to ensure their staff are motivated and engaged by keeping them updated about all aspects of the organisation through frequent communication, it has been advised.

That is the recommendation of Elizabeth Bacchus, director of thesuccessfulcv.com, who noted that communication is a key aspect of keeping staff motivated, through whatever means employers feel is right.

"Keep staff informed as much as you can on organisational issues, through clear and strategic internal communication initiatives. These can be through newsletters, the company intranet and focus groups - where staff can provide feedback and contribute to ideas on company development," she noted.

The expert added that getting staff involved in social responsibility not only builds on the reputation of an organisation but also enables staff to get involved in worthwhile causes and develops team-building skills.

In addition, introducing flexible working hours or working from home has been shown to increase not only staff moral but also productivity, which is a win-win situation, Ms Bacchus explained.

Recently, Hilary Jeanes, leadership coach and human resources consultant at PurpleLine Consulting, also said that employers hoping to get the best out of their staff need to communicate with them regularly in order to boost their workers' sense of purpose and motivation.

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

New employment models 'a legacy of the recession'

20 January 2012 16:53:27

The lasting legacy of the economic downturn in the UK will be new employment models and ways of working, one sector body has claimed.

After this week's employment figures from the Office for National Statistics highlighted the increased emergence of flexible working patterns, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) said the shift towards different ways of working may become the norm.

Gillian Econopouly, the REC's head of policy, said the data reinforces trends seen through the Report on Jobs, that the market for temporary and contract staff is proving robust.

She explained that it will subsequently have implications for employers, workers and for government policy.

"One major challenge is to provide independent freelancers and contractors with some form of support network – for example through professional bodies or through specialist recruitment agencies," Ms Econopouly added.

Dr Clare Kelliher, senior lecturer in strategic human resource management at Cranfield School of Management, recently said that staff in the UK are currently working harder than ever in their jobs as they look to impress their employers in the current economic climate.

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

Focusing on young people 'can stimulate UK economy'

19 January 2012 16:46:11

Placing an increasing focus on preparing young people for the reality of the world of work and ensuring they are steered down the right career path can help to ensure a solid future for the UK jobs market, it has been claimed.

Dr Neil Bentley, deputy director-general of the CBI, made the comments after the publication of the country's employment figures, and said one of the main ways to resolve joblessness in the short-term is to "pull out all the stops" to get the economy moving and businesses growing.

He explained that specialist help for young people, such as the new 'Youth Contract', will help support them to make the transition into work, though more forward-thinking solutions will be essential to ensuring the employment market has a bright future.

"Over the longer term, the government must look at how our schools prepare people for working life through better careers advice, guidance, and skills that employers need," Dr Bentley added.

It comes after Ed McRandal, Recruitment and Employment Confederation policy advisor responsible for youth unemployment, recently said it is vital that careers guidance is maintained in the nation's schools if young people are to continue moving into the right roles, such as sales jobs, and driving the recovery of the nation's economy.

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

Fall in inflation 'will benefit businesses'

19 January 2012 16:45:41

The fall in inflation witnessed in the UK in recent months will have a positive effect on the nation's businesses and, subsequently, job creation, it has been claimed.

David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, made the comments after figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed that annual CPI fell from 4.8 per cent in November to 4.2 per cent in December 2011, while annual RPI was down from 5.2 per cent to 4.8 per cent.

Mr Kern said that lower inflation will go some way towards "easing the squeeze" on businesses and individuals and also make it easier for consumer spending to stabilise and start increasing gradually later in the year.

He added: "It is also important to scrap the planned increase in business rates, follow through with reforms to our planning system, and make bold moves on reducing red tape, thus making it easier for businesses to expand and create jobs."

Lucy Armstrong, chair of the CBI SME council, said that small businesses are the key to helping drive the nation's economy, and it is vital they are supported so they can continue to create jobs.

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

Government 'must incentivise job creation'

19 January 2012 16:45:08

The UK government has been advised to incentivise job creation in a bid to help boost the number of people in employment in the UK, one sector body has claimed.

According to John Walker, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, the coalition needs to act on policies and initiatives already announced to help boost small business confidence so that they can invest and grow in the months and years ahead.

"If the government makes the right choices and puts action into words we can turn this around. The government has a good chance to make a real difference to the livelihoods of small firms when it reports on the Modern Workplaces consultation," he commented.

Mr Walker added that by putting simple measures in place, such as excluding micro firms from the right to request flexible working for all, businesses will be freed from the "shackle" of red tape so they can grow, innovate and take on new staff.

Meanwhile, John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, recently said that Britain can help to boost its ongoing economic recovery by recognising that the country's businesses are "a force for good".

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

Psychometric testing 'a useful recruitment tool'

18 January 2012 15:49:54

Using psychometric testing to evaluate which candidates are suitable for a particular role is an effective method of recruiting new employees, one organisation has stated.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, said that firms on the hunt for sales recruitment candidates will find that it can make life much easier.

"Clearly, it is a useful tool. It is something which has gained momentum probably in the last 15 years. When I was first introduced to it, there didn't seem to be many organisations actually doing it at the time. The key to the success of this is communication," he explained.

Mr Flaxton added that once the test has been completed, it is important to go through the answers with the candidates to ensure they understand the results and how it pertains to them and the potential role they are applying for.

It comes after a recent report from Talent Q advised that it is important to communicate sufficiently with candidates to let them know why they are being asked to undertake psychometric tests and how the resultant information is relevant to the job.

With consultants that are British Psychological Society (BPS) level A and level B accredited Aaron Wallis are able to offer a wide range of psychometric tools, personality tests, aptitude tests and ability tests.

Posted by Nikki Barrister

Job hunting 'should be taken seriously'

18 January 2012 15:49:05

People on the hunt for a new job should treat the process of looking for the role like a job itself if they are to increase their chances of success, it has been advised.

Mike Barnard, product manager at Milkround, said that the entire process needs to be taken seriously if people are to enhance their chances of recruitment joy, as a lackadaisical attitude is unlikely to impress potential employers.

He did explain that if people get too sucked into job hunting it can get very "overpowering", and so it may be best to use the services of a recruitment agency, not only to provide peace of mind, but because their expertise can be vital in securing apposition.

Mr Barnard explained that people should consider many potential options when on the hunt for jobs, but it should not take over their life.

"That doesn't mean just sitting down in front of your computer and firing out applications. You have to stay positive and keep your life ticking over, rather than letting job hunting become your life," the expert explained.

According to a recent JobsOutlook survey, carried out by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the proportion of clients who are either satisfied or very satisfied with the work done by recruitment agencies now stands at 93 per cent.

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 John Oak

UK staff 'working harder than ever'

17 January 2012 16:51:50

Staff in the UK are currently working harder than ever in their jobs as they look to impress their employers in the current economic climate, one expert has observed.

Dr Clare Kelliher, senior lecturer in strategic human resource management at Cranfield School of Management, said there is evidence that this has been going on for some time, with staff boosting their efforts at work to guarantee job security and also gain extra money from overtime.

"There's a general trend, not least for people who work in organisations where they have increased competitive pressures, that the recession has had an amplifying effect on that," she noted.

Dr Kelliher also predicted that "a number of factors" are likely to result in the decreasing of the formal working week, with many people working remotely outside of the typical nine to five shift.

Recent research carried out by Churchill Car Insurance showed that the traditional nine to five working day is now viewed as a thing of the past, with 51 per cent of motorists arriving at work before 08.30 and 21 per cent starting between 05.15 and 07.30 in a bid to beat the traffic.

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

Managers urged to banish January blues

17 January 2012 16:49:01

The nation's managers have been encouraged to do all they can to banish the so-called 'January blues' that some workers feel and help to stimulate their workforce to be more motivated and productive.

According to Carole Spiers, business stress consultant and author of Show Stress Who's Boss!, the winter months make it less conducive to working, concentrating and being motivated.

Therefore, it is up to bosses today to do their best to motivate their teams as well as they possible can, and to try to inspire them to ensure that the winter months are of no relevance, she noted.

"They need to inspire them, motivate them, assure them that everybody knows exactly what's going on in the business and that they're all working together as a team. Everybody is of value, everybody is recognised and [don't] forget those two little words – 'thank you'," Ms Spiers added.

Hilary Jeanes, leadership coach and human resources consultant at PurpleLine Consulting, recently said that employers hoping to get the best out of their staff need to communicate with them regularly in order to boost their workers' sense of purpose and motivation.

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

Private sector business activity rises across the UK

16 January 2012 16:21:56

Business activity in the private sector rose across all nine regions of the UK at the end of last year, according to the latest Lloyds TSB regional Purchasing Managers' Index.

The report revealed that the rise in output was led by Yorkshire and the Humber, with the increase reflecting stronger new business inflows and stimulating higher employment levels in the majority of English regions, to cope with rising workloads.

The data also revealed that input price inflation was little-changed on the month in December and therefore still much lower than at the start of 2011, thanks to reduced cost pressures at manufacturing companies.

Additionally, service providers continued to report relatively strong rises in their costs, primarily linked to greater utility bills and staff wages.

Commenting on the report, John Maltby, group director at Lloyds TSB Commercial, said English regions ended the year with an "encouraging" rebound in output growth and improved levels of incoming new work.

"The majority of regions saw an upturn in private sector employment alongside the latest rise in workloads. The latest survey shows that businesses are moving in the right direction across the English regions," he added.

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