News - Company News

Merry Christmas from all of us at Southgate Consulting! Our office will be closed from 6.00 pm on Friday 20 December, re-opening on Thursday 02 January 2020 at 9.00 am. We will be picking up messages and emails throughout the Christmas & New Year period if you need us. Very best wishes for 2020…..

Another amazing Classic Motor Show at the NEC 2019. The five halls of classic cars, parts, motorcycles and light commercials just shows the talent in the UK we have, when it comes to restoration of these stunning vehicles #necclassic #classiccars

It may be a perfectly rational reason to save money and use resources that are close to your business when recruiting, be they social media platforms or in-house recruitment teams, in preference to a professional head-hunter. But sometimes, the services of a respected, resourceful and connected Executive Search Consultant can add real value to the search process, and here are some of the reasons why;

• Network – Respected Executive Search Consultants have built up an exclusive and selective network of contacts over many years, which is specific to the sector they recruit in, and the assignments they handle. This is their “life blood” and USP.
• Confidentiality – An assignment may be highly confidential, and need to be handled “out of house” and under the constraint of NDAs. Executive Search Consultants are used to this.
• Engagement – If your response rates are low to an advertisement, a reliable Search Consultant possesses the finesse to elicit replies from suitable candidates directly, who may otherwise be reluctant to answer a generic advertisement or go directly to a company careers page.
• Accuracy – Good head-hunters get to exactly the right profiles quickly, confidentially and confidently.
• Timescale – Executive Search Consultants are used to meeting outside normal office hours, to screen, interview, shortlist and negotiate contracts if required, speeding up the process.
• Guarantee – Typically, experienced search firms would submit a screened shortlist of candidates within an agreed timescale which has long placement guarantees once a candidate is employed, giving peace of mind to the employer if anything goes wrong.

Southgate Consulting has been busier in 2019 than any other recent year, searching, sourcing and shortlisting candidates for CEO, Managing Director and senior management roles none of which are on social media or advertised openly.   www.southgateconsulting.com

Who says cyclists & motorists aren’t compatible? Premium cycling publication #rouleur devotes over 14 pages to beautiful images of supercars & superbikes this month #cycling #motoring #colnago #ferrari #lamborghini

Another fantastic day on Friday at #goodwoodrevival which gets better and better every year. Just brilliant fun – thank you to everyone who put in time, money and effort to make this unique British show absolutely the world class event it is. Will be back in 2020!

Maybe it’s time to put in an order for a #newdefender?

#LinkedIn as a hybrid business/social media platform, in my opinion deserves applause. Whilst some feel the content ought to be more tightly controlled, it has been invaluable for Southgate Consulting, keeping in touch with friends and businesses, PLC, SME, and Sole Traders alike. So keep the posts and articles coming, free advice flowing, video clips serious and amusing visible, vitally important business contacts, events and achievements updated, intermingled with some questionable views and comments! Because that is reality at work and at home, which makes the LinkedIn community laugh, cringe, succeed, benefit and grow. Thank you LinkedIn for helping #southgateconsulting succeed!

At some point in all of our lives, we have found ourselves in a career position that, for whatever reason, is not exactly as it may have been described at interview, so how do you best manage this situation? You may be thinking one or all of the following, so here are five points to consider and some fundamental ideas on how to resolve these issues;

• Will the role improve within a normal settling in period?
• Have I had adequate training to work efficiently and effectively?
• Is the culture of the business open to supporting and ensuring that I succeed in my new role?
• Am I able to easily rectify any of the issues yourself or with the help of someone else?
• Or am I just going to have to put up and do the best job I can?

Most of the answers to the above questions lie in understanding the culture of the business you have joined, and who to relate to in the organisation to rectify these areas of uncertainty. Always balance your instinct with giving your employer the benefit of hearing your side of the story, and trying to come up with workable, financially viable solutions. Find out who would best help you, look to improve your understanding of the market and challenges the business you work in faces, and don’t give up but balance this with realism and realistic actions which are calm, measured and achievable for both parties.

However, if you are met with immovable obstacles, lack of clear communication and intransigence then you may begin to look elsewhere. We would always advise to have a safe landing point within a company, before deciding to leave the safety or a role, and ensure that when a new position does present itself, you have researched the business enough to ensure these issues would not be repeated.

Many of you, including myself, may have family members looking for their first full time career move having completed their final year as a student. So, how do you stand out from the crowd in your first round of interviews? Seven key factors to consider;

Prepare thoroughly – It’s so easy to research companies and employee/customer satisfaction online.

CV preparation – Be able to back up any comments you have made on your CV. You will be asked!

What are your strengths? – Work to these in the interview when answering questions.

You will be challenged – The interviewer may make statements that you do not agree with. Express your views confidently and calmly backed up with sound reasoning.

Think about the present – How can you make a valid contribution to your future employer here and now. Don’t worry about the future and career progression yet!

You don’t need to know all the answers – Interviews can be intimidating. Just relax and keep confident. If you make a mistake or cannot find the right answer, it doesn’t mean you have failed.

Make sure it’s right for you – Interviews are just as much about you making sure this opportunity is right for you as it is that you are right for the opportunity.

Congratulations from all of us at Southgate Consulting to those graduating over the coming months.

Delighted to have the Women’s Tour of Britain riding through Oxfordshire today and passing #southgateconsulting at lunchtime. Will be out supporting all the riders at the roadside! #womenstourofbritain #breastcancerawareness