86. How to hire right (by making the right business choices) - with Joe Curtis

In this episode, I sit down with Joe Curtis, founder of several successful recruitment and investment businesses. Joe shares his journey of transitioning from recruitment into entrepreneurship, building a business with a clear vision, and recruiting the right people to help that vision come to life.

Key Topics Covered:

• Starting from scratch: Joe details how he launched his first business in marketing recruitment, 11 Investments, and Recruiter Lab, and the key decisions that helped him scale.
• The importance of vision in recruitment: Joe explains how telling a compelling story about where the business is going—rather than focusing on where it is—was crucial to attract top talent, even when they were just starting out.
• Building an attractive employer brand: Learn how Joe’s businesses developed a strong Glassdoor presence, secured positive Google reviews, and won the Sunday Times Best Place to Work to solidify their reputation and attract talent.
• Hiring based on values: Joe shares how they assess potential hires not just for their skill but for their alignment with the company's values—bravery, growth, kindness, and belonging. They believe in creating an environment where people feel they belong.
• Why recruitment never stops: Joe reveals that his primary role is recruiting for his own businesses, meeting up to 20 potential hires a week. He stresses the importance of founders staying involved in the recruitment process, even as the business grows.
• The long-term approach to talent acquisition: Joe explains the importance of being transparent about company culture and ensuring that potential hires know what to expect before joining. His approach mitigates high attrition rates typical in the recruitment industry.

Key Quotes:

• “You’ve got to build the vision and this story for people to come along the ride with you.” — Joe Curtis [00:10:54]
• “We are nothing without the people that we hire—literally. There's no business without them.” — Joe Curtis [00:24:11]
• “Doing business in a kind way will pay back in dividends over time.” — Joe Curtis [00:27:51]

Actionable Insights:

• Create a compelling story for your business: When hiring, don't just sell the present state of your company. Sell the future. Show candidates what role they can play in building something great.
• Hire based on values, not just skills: To build a successful company culture, focus on hiring people who align with your company's values. Skills can be taught; values are much harder to instill.
• Stay involved in recruitment: As your business grows, it’s easy for founders to step back from the recruitment process. But Joe’s approach shows that staying involved helps ensure you hire the best people, who align with your vision.

Catch the full episode to hear more from Joe Curtis on building vision, leading with kindness, and recruiting the right people to make it all happen!