Welcome to the March Edition
MARKET COMMENTARY
of the MRG Newsletter!
As we approach the end of the quarter, we are on target to hit our Group budget numbers – this is great news, although I would caveat that we have incurred higher than expected cost pressures through investment in new people, salaries and infrastructure – all of these are positive, but we need to generate a return on this investment as the year goes on. I am sure we will. There are some impressive results across the teams, with PSEM and UK Global already ahead of budget before month end. MRGPA, PSFM and UK Real Estate are close.
Kawczynski back to MRG this month, signifying a big achievement of opening a new office in mainland Europe. We are looking forward to working closely with Izzy to extend MRG’s reach. As we approach the end of Q1 I would highlight three extraordinary individual performances – Nick, Matt Donovan and Olly are all set to exceed £130k for the first quarter! £500k+ annual run rates! Let’s keep living by our values and apply maximum focus and commitment. If we do this, I am sure we can finish the first Quarter of 2023 on a high.
Welcome to the March edition of the MRG Newsletter. It is hard to believe we’re nearly at the end of Q1, three months into the 2023 and the cold weather feeling particularly tricky to shake off in the UK! There’s been a buzz of energy across the offices, with both Global and UK teams getting together for socials this month – Matthew’s visit to KL tying in with the team social there, and the UK team celebrating the end of the quarter this week. There’s also Easter on the horizon and bank holidays to look forward to both in the UK and South Africa, who also celebrated Human Rights Day on 21st March. There’s also the month of Ramadan beginning in March, signifying a time for prayer, reflection and community for those of us who observe it.
We also welcomed Izabela
Ben Duffill
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3 4
5 6
Shoutout 7
New Starters, Celebrations &
Welcome & Market Commentary Business Improvment Group
Marketing Updates Training Updates
Upcoming Events MRG around the Globe
Office 8
MRG Outside of
MARKETING UPDATES
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GROUP
Our linkedin followers have grown by 97% compared to this time last year, which is an incredible achievement. The biggest spike in followers was seen on 13th Feb with 184 new followers. We see the best results when we group job carousels by sector or location with the corresponding hashtags – so please keep your carousels coming, as they really improve our stats. Our blog series “Hiring Challenges in Focus” began at the end of February with ‘Your Employer Value Proposition (EVP). This blog series will tackle different issues in the hiring industry. The purpose of this type of content is to position the MRG brand as thought leaders. International Women’s Day was recognised with several pieces of content, you can check out the blog here.
Bullhorn The CRM is being continually reviewed to ensure that the system is fit for purpose and future- proof. Karl and offshoot group the SIC (Systems Improvement Committee) are working in the background on this. Systems Improvement Committee will be focussed on all things Bullhorn, Systems and CRM related and will help consult the company on possible changes to improve the way we work. The group includes people from multiple teams and different levels across the company so we can get the best coverage. Members of the team currently include Karl, Melanie, Dan, Sally, Edward, Leena, Christopher Mackenzie and Charlotte Rush. Company Library The BIG are aiming to provide a company library accessible from the Intranet, which contains training material, policy documents and best- practise guidelines applicable to every business area. Fees & Benefits Documents Katherine will soon be sending out links and passwords to your individual benefits spreadsheets, which also show your 2023 fees to-date.
Secured Signing Templates
The secured signing documents that are used through Bullhorn are being updated to fit with our current branding and data needs. Cyber Security We will be reviewing cyber security and conducting internal audits ahead of the annual renewal of our Cyber Security Certification at the end of 2023. Each year, the requirements to obtain a Cyber Security Certificate become more stringent. MRG needs to stay ahead of the curve to eliminate the risks posed by hackers and fraudsters.
As a reminder, you can continue to use MRG’s whitepaper titled, ‘What New Challenges & Opportunities Can We Anticipate in the Staffing Industry.’ as a BD tool when speaking to your candidates and clients. The second purpose of this whitepaper is to position MRG as a thought leader in the hiring industry. Please download the report at the link below. There is a short form to complete for data capture, so please always remember to share it as a link. DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT HERE
If you have ideas for content, no matter how big or small, we’d love you to get involved! ideas@mrgpeople.co.uk
Linkedin Training Programme – March The training module for March is Sourcer and is geared around candidate mapping, building up projects/using projects efficiently and finding the right candidates (whilst getting good responses!). This ties in with last month’s Business Development module and should tie in well with it. The module is approx. 2 hours in total so shouldn’t take too long to complete. Everything you need to find can be accessed on the shared drive under Training & PDP, or you can access the Powerpoint with the hyperlinks here.
Upcoming Training Sessions
Planning & Organising w/ Ben Duffill 23rd March, 9 – 10 am GMT/ 5 – 6pm MYT
This session is suitable for anyone – not just billers! We will be hosting at a time that hopefully the majority of the business can attend, but if you can’t make it, it will be recorded and saved in the Training folder. Some of the topics covered: • Eisenhower Matrix • Scheduling and making the most of your time effectively • Balancing Conflicting Responsibilities • Prioritising your to-do list If you haven’t seen the Teams invitation, please ask Alison to be re-sent the link. Training for Briefing Process for Flippingbooks w/ Marketing Team 23rd March, 1 – 1.30pm (GMT) – Room GA This is essential training for anyone who is involved in the creation of campaign content and is only relevant for the UK – based teams. A quick 30-minute session and will include optional pizza. 30th March, 11 – 11.30am (GMT) - via Teams For those who are unable to attend in person on 23rd - This is essential training for anyone who is involved in the creation of campaign content and is only relevant for the UK – based teams.
As always, you can find recordings of previous Training sessions in the Training & PDP folder here.
Ongoing MRG Values Workshops 30th March, 1 – 2pm (GMT) - via Teams If you would like to join, please ask Alison. But this is generally for those who haven’t yet done the Values Workshop. Values from both the Client and Employee focus for your own reading/ business development.
Got an Idea? We want to hear it!
We’re launching an internal ideas inbox as of this month – shout out to Nicky for this great idea! It’s a tool for everyone to get involved in the growth and change within the business. For example, if you think of any specific training you, or your team would like to see, or you have an idea around socials, business improvement, or anything else ad hoc – all ideas are valid and welcome, and we want to hear it. Please send a note to ideas@mrgpeople.co.uk
MRG Value Nominations We’re pleased to announce we will be launching MRG Values Nominations where you will be able to nominate your fellow colleagues when you see them living our shared values – both inside and outside of work. There will be recognition and rewards available to those who have been championed. Please send any nominations to the board here: charlotte.rush@mrgpeople.co.uk
UPCOMING EVENTS
27TH APRIL 2023 Big Fat Quiz of the Year supporting Mind Charity We are looking for Raffle Prizes! Please get in touch with the Charity Team: Hannah Searle & Charlotte Turedi!
30TH JUNE 2023 MRG Annual Summer Conference
23RD MARCH 2023 Company End of Quarter Social
You should have all received a diary invitation for the summer conference which is on 30th June 2023. For the first time ever, this event will be broadcast live to the Global team ensuring we are inclusive of the business as a whole. More information will be shared in due course.
A NOTE FROM YOUR MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDERS – EMILIA, ROB & ALI We’ve got lots of useful stuff in the pipeline for mental health awareness week, but for now, don’t forget that our door is always open for a chat. We’ve been trained to be able to signpost you to useful tools and organisations if your mental health is struggling. Sometimes it takes the weight off just to have a non-judgemental conversation with someone and have a vent in confidence. Please drop one of us a message if you want to talk.
Emilia - 07851 259 868
Rob – 07973 193 785
Ali – 07792 222 621
Online Social Team Global had an online social earlier this month, with team members (and pets!) joining from South Africa, Australia and the UK.
Matthew E visits Kuala Lumpur We had Matthew Evans and David Gregson in the Kuala Lumpur office early March and it was a fun filled week with activities including a photoshoot session, team lunch, after work drinks and bowling.
Celebrating Olly’s Birthday The team in KL celebrated Olly’s birthday in the office with a slice of cake.
Team Malaysia Updates
• J had her first placement come through and her role has expanded, and she is now doing Business Development to assist Ashley in capturing more of the Malaysian market. • Olly has started working with a new PIF client in the Middle East ; Saudi Entertainment Ventures Company (SEVEN) continues to work with Damac and has a number of new exciting companies in Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Malaysia including Fraser’s Property Group • MRGPA has recently acquired the Agensi Pekerjaan license. With this in hand, we have now signed terms with government linked companies and large international organizations in Malaysia. • Whilst Matthew Evans was in KL, we had an Asia Business Review discussing on MRGPA’s overall progress toward its goals along with Singapore and India’s business model. • Matthew Evans provided some trainings covering areas such as MRG’s Values, SPIN Selling and the Thomas’s International DISC psychometric testing. • The team have completed all topics of the Business Development Linked-In Training module. • Carmen and Ashley joined in the Mentoring Training workshop organized by Alison on the PushFar platform.
Welcome (back) to Izabela Kawczynski in Poland Izabela has returned to MRG to establish our first mainland European office in Warsaw, Poland. Izabela relocated to Warsaw following a stint in London where she worked for us in Twickenham. Since then, she has been running her own recruitment, training and development business working for several corporates and SME’s. We see the opportunity to grow our footprint further into Europe and the chance to bring Izabela back into the business to help us achieve this ambition. The real estate market in Poland is growing exceptionally quickly and has great links to our current client base and network.
Pramegh Sangle, India
Chris Urban, Singapore
I have been living and working in KL for the last couple of months, closely shadowing the team and understanding how they work. I look forward to strongly contributing to our global business as well as creating relationships with our candidates, clients, and amazing MRG family. Subsequently, I am also looking forward to kick-starting our India journey.
Matthew Evans visited Kuala Lumpur for three days before our Singapore trip. Despite a long, rainy journey, our spirits were high. We started off with a successful lunch, turning a client into a candidate. We then braved the rain, heading to CBRE’s offices for an introduction and briefing meeting before heading to their other office to be briefed on additional GWS roles. We met with CloudHQ's MD, Johnson and Johnson's APAC Real Estate Director, and Shaw Properties' Asset Management Head. We also met a large Private Equity player from Malaysia interested in Real Estate sustainability. Matthew explored Singapore before departing, while I had to deal with several cancelled flights due to bad weather. Overall, the trip was encouraging, and we have many opportunities to work together as a global business.
Shoutout to Sally for being forensic providing ongoing resourcing support to the team on some tricky campaigns, with the support she provides pivotal in ensuring the delivery of campaigns of the highest quality – she’s been instrumental in pulling together successful shortlists and continues to do so this month. The team wanted her to know how valuable her work is.
CELEBRATIONS
WORK ANNIVERSARIES KARL BOSTOCK 1 YEAR
Shoutout to Eliane, voted most inventive when surveyed, it was unanimously agreed that Eliane’s design work is fresh, sharp, and always evolving. Thanks for being a superstar Graphic Designer and supporting our ever-growing demands!
NICKY HARRISON 1 YEAR
BIRTHDAYS EUNICE SAM H JAMES G OLLY CHRIS B ASH CARMEN
World Book Day! Dee helped daughter Ellie put together a fantastic outfit for World Book Day, going as Miss Spider from James and the Giant Peach. 10/10 effort & style!
Glow Up! Ali & Dee visited Battersea Power Station where they were hosting The Light Festival, returning for its third year, brightening up the dark evenings again with eight spectacular pieces of artwork.
Silver Sidemen Steph T and her friend Alice spent 2 weeks travelling through Bali and around Indonesia, they stopped off to create handmade silver jewellery in Sidemen.
Birthday Celebrations & Copenhagen Hayley W celebrated the big 80 with her Nan, taking her for high tea. Plus a weekend away with fiancée Ash to Copenhagen – it was too cold to smile!
SA Social! The South African team is growing! Megan and Lieneke took new recruit Kirstin out for a MRG welcome lunch. The UK is super jealous of how summery you guys looked!
Heavyweight Champion Ben took part in a recent interclub competition, defending his position as heavyweight champion, and won! Huge congratulations from us all
Morrocan Adventure Eliane took a road trip around Morocco with their partner, visiting Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech, the Agafay Desert and Essaouira!
Happy Birthday Olly! Olly celebrated his birthday week on the East Cost of Peninsula Malaysia with his family and qualified as a Master Scuba Diver.
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