RecTalk Podcast - Explore Recruitment Insights

What does it really mean to be a high performer? And how do you know when your drive for success is helping you thrive — or leaving you feeling unfulfilled?In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Adam Smith and Adam Mayhew, co-founders of A-Game Consultancy, to explore the relationship between high performance, mindset, health and fulfilment.Smith and Mayhew work with successful men who want to perform at their best without sacrificing their wellbeing, relationships or sense of purpose. They share their own journeys into coaching, including personal experiences with alcohol, health, identity and the search for a more meaningful version of success.The conversation explores why high achievers can struggle to switch off, how the need for approval can shape our decisions, and why the question “Are you a high performer or just highly performative?” might be worth asking yourself.They also discuss:- Why successful men can still feel unfulfilled- The role of beliefs, conditioning and the need for validation- How alcohol, nutrition, sleep and lifestyle can affect performance- The challenges facing millennial men and changing ideas of masculinity- Balancing ambition, family life and personal wellbeing- Male mental health and why asking for help can feel difficult- Coaching tools including breathwork, meditation, journaling and self-reflection- The difference between supporting someone and enabling their behaviour- What fulfilment and success can look like beyond career achievementsSmith and Mayhew explain how A-Game Consultancy brings mindset and lifestyle coaching together to help people understand what may be holding them back — and make changes that work for them.WHO THIS EPISODE IS FORThis episode is for recruitment leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, high achievers and anyone who is ambitious but wants to think more deeply about what success means to them.If you’re constantly striving for the next milestone, finding it hard to switch off, or wondering whether your current definition of success is serving you, this conversation is well worth a listen.GUESTSAdam Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-smith-high-performance-coach/Adam Mayhew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adammayhew/Learn more about A-Game Consultancy: https://www.rectools.io/product/a-game/HOST — Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERSSourceWhale: https://www.sourcewhale.com/?utm_source=Rectools&utm_medium=Youtube&utm_campaign=podcast_TRN_paid_2026h2&utm_content=shownotesAscen: https://www.ascen.com/rectalkCoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/Wiggli: https://www.wiggli.io/Spott: https://spott.io/Find out more about RecTalk: https://rectalk.co.uk/▶ Watch this and every Recruitment Podcast Network show, free: https://recruitmentpodcastnetwork.com#RecTalk #Recruitment #Leadership #HighPerformance #MensMentalHealth #Mindset #Wellbeing #AWindowToSuccess #AGameConsultancy #PersonalDevelopment #RecruitmentIndustry

Welcome to another episode of RecTalk, coming to you live from IHR Live London 2026!In this episode, Nitin Sharma sits down with Stephen Anderson, CEO of Crooton, to explore how recruitment marketing is evolving, why engaging passive candidates requires a long-term approach, and how employers can reduce their cost per quality application through smarter, more targeted recruitment advertising.Crooton is a recruitment marketing specialist helping employers reach both active and passive candidates through location-based marketing, geofencing, digital out-of-home advertising, social media, print and more. As a newly recommended service provider on Rectools.io, Stephen shares how Crooton has evolved from a fixed-price recruitment business into a specialist recruitment marketing partner for enterprise organisations and RPOs.And there's plenty to get into!In this episode, we discuss:• Geofencing and location-based recruitment marketing: How Crooton uses mobile location data to build audiences around specific locations and deliver targeted recruitment advertising.• Reaching passive candidates: Why genuine candidate attraction is about building awareness and staying front of mind, rather than simply contacting people who might be open to a new role.• Employer branding and long-term recruitment strategy: Why an always-on employer brand campaign can deliver better results than switching recruitment advertising on and off whenever a hiring need arises.• Reducing cost per quality application: Stephen shares Crooton's experience and the potential for sustained employer branding campaigns to reduce cost per quality application by up to 50% over 12 months.• The power of multi-channel marketing: How combining geofencing with digital out-of-home advertising, billboards, bus stops, social media and traditional print can reinforce recruitment messaging.• AI, data and candidate attraction: How AI, third-party data and client-specific information help identify the right audiences and target recruitment marketing spend more effectively.• The changing recruitment advertising landscape: Why job boards remain important, but employers need to think beyond immediate hiring requirements and consider the long-term cost of candidate acquisition.If you're responsible for talent acquisition, recruitment marketing, employer branding or high-volume hiring, this is an episode worth your time.WHO THIS EPISODE IS FORThis episode is particularly relevant for:• Talent Acquisition and HR leaders looking to improve candidate attraction.• Enterprise recruitment teams managing high-volume hiring.• RPOs and recruitment agencies exploring smarter recruitment marketing solutions.• Employer branding professionals looking to build long-term candidate engagement.• Recruitment leaders looking to reduce cost per hire and improve the quality of applications.• Anyone interested in geofencing, location-based marketing and the future of recruitment advertising.This episode was recorded live at IHR Live London 2026:https://www.inhouserecruitment.co.uk/GUEST — Stephen Anderson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-anderson-993427a/Learn more about Crooton: https://www.rectools.io/product/crooton/HOST — Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERSSourceWhale: https://www.sourcewhale.com/?utm_source=Rectools&utm_medium=Youtube&utm_campaign=podcast_TRN_paid_2026h2&utm_content=shownotesAscen: https://www.ascen.com/rectalkCoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/Wiggli: https://www.wiggli.io/Spott: https://spott.io/Find out more about RecTalk: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecTalk #RecruitmentMarketing #EmployerBranding #TalentAcquisition #Recruitment #Geofencing #CandidateAttraction #RecruitmentTechnology #HRTech #IHRLive2026 #Crooton #Rectools

Recorded at IHR Live London 2026, this special Talking Talent episode brings together host Sean Kennedy, Nitin Sharma, and James Riley from Immersive for an honest, entertaining, and thought-provoking conversation about the state of talent acquisition.Is TA just about filling vacancies? Are in-house recruiters really failed agency recruiters? And why do so many businesses overlook the commercial value of their talent acquisition teams?James Riley joins Sean and Nitin to challenge some long-standing recruitment industry assumptions and explore what it really takes to be a great talent acquisition professional in today's changing world of work.With a decade of recruitment experience spanning agency and in-house environments, James shares his perspective on building relationships, influencing hiring managers, developing internal talent, and demonstrating the true value of TA.💡 WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE🔹 The Agency-to-In-House JourneyWhy James made the move from agency recruitment into talent acquisition, how his agency experience shaped his approach, and why the fundamentals of recruitment never disappear.🔹 Is Talent Acquisition a Revenue-Generating Function?Why TA should be viewed as a strategic business partner rather than simply an HR function. We explore how recruitment directly contributes to business growth, revenue generation, and the success of major projects.🔹 The Importance of Internal MobilityWhy talent acquisition should be about more than bringing people into a business. We discuss internal career progression, identifying future leaders, and helping employees find opportunities within their organisations.🔹 What Makes a Great TA Consultant?From understanding business needs to challenging hiring managers, using data, and becoming a trusted advisor, James explains what separates an effective talent partner from someone who simply fills vacancies.🔹 How Agencies Can Build Better Relationships with TAWhat makes a great agency approach? Why generic cold calls and irrelevant CVs rarely work, and how considered spec-ins, market intelligence, and genuine relationships can help recruitment agencies stand out.🔹 The Changing Relationship Between Agencies and In-House RecruitersWhy collaboration, networking, and sharing knowledge can be more valuable than a traditional competitive mindset.🔹 Practical Advice for RecruitersJames shares advice for agency recruiters building their desks and TA professionals looking to demonstrate their value, embrace innovation, and become more commercially influential.👥 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR- Talent Acquisition professionals looking to become more strategic business partners.- In-house recruiters who want to demonstrate their commercial impact.- Agency recruiters looking to build stronger relationships with internal TA teams.- Recruitment business owners and agency leaders interested in improving client relationships.- HR and People leaders exploring the future of talent acquisition.- Anyone interested in the changing recruitment industry and the future of work.GUEST — James Riley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-riley-7380875a/Learn more about Immersive: https://www.immersivelabs.com/HOSTSSean Kennedy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanthetaguy/Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/Find out more about RecTalk: https://rectalk.co.uk/▶ Watch this and every Recruitment Podcast Network show, free: https://recruitmentpodcastnetwork.com#RecTalk #TalkingTalent #TalentAcquisition #Recruitment #HR #InHouseRecruitment #AgencyRecruitment #RecruitmentIndustry #IHRLive2026 #Immersive #RecruitmentConsultant #TalentManagement #InternalMobility #RecruitmentPodcast

Recruitment founders are often brilliant at sales and building relationships—but how confident are they when it comes to managing the finances?In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma chats with Louisa Plint of AuxPay (by Auxeris) about the financial realities of running a recruitment business, learning hard lessons, and building a business that can survive and grow.WHAT WE DISCUSS- Why recruitment is as much a finance business as a sales business- Cash flow versus profitability—and why the difference matters- Managing VAT, PAYE, corporation tax and director’s loan accounts- Understanding your balance sheet, liabilities and insolvency risks- Why you need control of your accounting software and financial records- Negotiating with suppliers, lenders, HMRC and creditors when cash gets tight- The risks of long-term CRM and software contracts- Tracking monthly burn rate, forecasts and management accounts- Dealing with late-paying clients and protecting cash flow- How AuxPay can help address payment challenges in recruitmentLouisa shares practical lessons from her experience, including the importance of understanding your numbers, asking difficult questions early and negotiating before problems escalate.WHO THIS EPISODE IS FORRecruitment agency owners, founders, managing directors and independent recruiters who want to:- Improve their understanding of business finances- Get ahead of cash flow problems and late payments- Make better decisions about contracts and suppliers- Understand their tax obligations and financial risks- Build a more resilient business that can scale—or be soldTHE BIG TAKEAWAYRecruitment is a finance business disguised as a sales business. Know your numbers, stay in control of your cash flow and tackle financial problems early.GUEST — Louisa Plint: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisa-plint/Learn more about AuxPay: https://www.rectools.io/product/auxpay-by-auxeris/HOST — Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERSSourceWhale: https://www.sourcewhale.com/?utm_source=Rectools&utm_medium=Youtube&utm_campaign=podcast_TRN_paid_2026h2&utm_content=shownotesAscen: https://www.ascen.com/rectalkCoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/Wiggli: https://www.wiggli.io/Spott: https://spott.io/Find out more about RecTalk: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecTalk #Recruitment #RecruitmentBusiness #RecruitmentFinance #CashFlow #BusinessFinance #AuxPay #Auxeris #Rectools #RecruitmentTechnology

In this episode, Nitin Sharma sits down with Sarah Higgs of Recruitment Angel to explore what it really means to have the right operational support behind your recruitment business — and why the traditional term “virtual assistant” might not do the job justice.Sarah is part of the RecTalk Media team and a founding member of the Recruitment Curry Club. With her recruitment and operations background, she and her UK-based team provide flexible, experienced support that helps recruitment founders spend less time buried in admin and more time growing their businesses.From managing a recruitment desk while a founder takes a three-and-a-half-week holiday to overseeing complex CRM migrations, Sarah shares real examples of how the right support can make a massive difference.💡 What we discuss in this episode:• Beyond the virtual assistant: Why Recruitment Angel combines the flexibility of a VA with the experience and strategic input of fractional operational support.• Taking a proper holiday: How Sarah and her team managed a recruiter’s workload while he was away, including interview bookings, candidate communications, client feedback and a comprehensive handover on his return.• Inbox management and accountability: Why great support means more than clearing emails — it means following up, managing deadlines and making sure things actually get done.• CRM migrations without the chaos: How Recruitment Angel helps businesses manage data migration, liaise with CRM providers, check data accuracy and create practical training guides, walkthroughs and company playbooks.• Getting more from your recruitment technology: Why your CRM should be the heart of your business, and why keeping your data clean, current and properly organised matters more than constantly buying new tools.• Sarah’s favourite recruitment and business tools: Her thoughts on Outlook versus Gmail, Microsoft Teams versus Zoom, Xero, Calendly and recruitment CRMs such as Bullhorn and LOXO.• Marketing and market intelligence: How Sarah and her team support podcast guest management, marketing collateral, salary guides and more detailed market insight reports that help recruiters demonstrate their expertise.• A sounding board for founders: Why having someone who understands recruitment, challenges your ideas and helps turn them into an actionable plan can be invaluable when you're running a business alone.• Imposter syndrome and founder confidence: Sarah’s advice for dealing with setbacks, recognising how far you’ve come and backing yourself through the inevitable ups and downs of recruitment.This episode is particularly relevant if you're:- A solo recruiter or recruitment business founder trying to do everything yourself.- Running a small recruitment agency or recruitment technology business.- Spending too much time on administration, inbox management and operational tasks.- Considering a CRM migration or struggling to get the most out of your existing recruitment technology.- Looking for flexible, experienced support without hiring another full-time employee.GUEST — Sarah Higgs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhiggs01/Learn more about Recruitment Angel: https://www.rectools.io/product/recruitment-angel/HOST — Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERSSourceWhale: https://www.sourcewhale.com/?utm_source=Rectools&utm_medium=Youtube&utm_campaign=podcast_TRN_paid_2026h2&utm_content=shownotesAscen: https://www.ascen.com/rectalkCoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/Wiggli: https://www.wiggli.io/Spott: https://spott.io/Find out more about RecTalk: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecTalk #Recruitment #RecruitmentAgency #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentAngel #SarahHiggs #NitinSharma #RecruitmentBusiness #VirtualAssistant #FractionalSupport #RecruitmentOperations #CRM #RecruitmentConsultant #BusinessGrowth