Case Study 1 : CIMA / ACCA mailing campaign

Objective : To recruitment 2 newly Qualified Financial Analysts

Our client was insistent that the successful candidates had a 2.1 degree minimum and a first time pass record with their accountancy qualifications.

After spending 4 months trying unsuccessfully to recruit the high calibre candidates that they were seeking through a multi-agency recruitment approach, we suggested a direct mail shot campaign to the accountancy institutes.

The search criteria was agreed with our clients which included year of qualification and home location of those candidates to target. This resulted in counts of over 4,500 members of CIMA and ACCA to be targeted.

We arranged for mail shot designs to be created and prepared the advertising text for the mailer. Following agreement with the client, we secured printing quotes and commitment by printers to quality and timescales.

The mailer was supplemented by advertising on a number of financial/accountancy focused internet job sites to further enhance the response levels along with new general candidate registrations that we received during the process.

We received 35 responses to the mailings, all matching the criteria specified namely year of qualification, degree educated and being based within commuting distance of our client's offices.

22 candidates were selected for our preliminary screening interviews and from these, a strong shortlist of 8 high calibre candidates were short listed for first interview with our client.

The end result being that our client ended up recruiting 3 of the candidates, rather than the two originally planned as a member of staff resigned during the process.

A further key benefit of the mail shot approach is that once designed, it is relatively inexpensive to use again.

We have extensive experience in handling direct mail shot campaigns via the use of the CIMA/ACCA's own database of members on behalf of clients. Typical costs for a mailing campaign are in the region of £1 - £1.50 per member to be targeted.

Case study 2 : Financial Times Advertised Campaign

Objective : Confidential recruitment of a Finance Director for a private limited company.

The advertisement for the Financial Times was written by us and approved by our client. We received over 180 responses, including applications from candidates working for competitors of our client company.

The Financial Times advertisement was supplemented by advertising on a number of financial/accountancy focused internet job sites to further enhance the response levels along with new general candidate registrations that we received during the process.

15 candidates were selected for our preliminary screening interviews and from these, 5 candidates were short listed for first interview with our client. Following a further two stage selection process a first and second choice candidate was agreed upon by our client and a suitable monetary offer was agreed upon following our advice and input on prevailing market rates. The first choice candidate accepted the position and we discussed and monitored the resignation process with the candidate whilst continuing to keep our client informed throughout the process.

Three months after the candidate started his position we were asked to call to check in with him 'independently' as to whether the position was as described. We were able to gather some constructive feedback which was subsequently reported back to our client, who in turn was able to address in a subtle manner.

We are able to offer discounted rates for advertising in most national media including the Financial Times, Telegraph and Times/Sunday Times.

Case study 3 : Multi-vacancy Campaign Management

Objective : To recruit 100 + positions for the creation of a European Shared Services Centre.

In-house experience includes the successful campaign management for the recruitment of over 100 linguists/financial candidates as part of the establishment of a shared financial services centre for the European headquarters of a blue chip multinational American corporation based in the Thames Valley.

The campaign involved a combination of advertising, direct mail shots and search solutions followed up with assessment centres throughout the UK and Western Europe.

This is believed to be one of the largest campaigns of its type undertaken within recent years.