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Relevance Over Recruitment: Is Your Model Still Commercially Defensible? 

Explore how leading firms are repositioning as advisory partners, strengthening strategic value, and protecting margins in a rapidly shifting market. 

Online

Wed, 4 March: 09:00 - 09:45

Most recruitment leaders believe they’re relevant. But when market pressure increases, margins tighten, and clients reassess spend, confidence alone isn’t enough. The uncomfortable truth is that while many firms feel established, only a minority can clearly articulate why their model is commercially defensible in today’s environment.

In a market shaped by AI, procurement pressure, in-house hiring capability, and evolving client expectations, traditional recruitment value propositions are being quietly eroded. Fee compression, longer sales cycles, and increased competition are not isolated challenges. They’re signals of structural disruption. The question isn’t whether change is happening. It’s whether your model is built to withstand it.

In this session, we’ll explore:

  • How to define and measure “relevance” in commercial terms, not just brand perception
  • The signals that your recruitment model may be quietly losing defensibility
  • How leading firms are repositioning as advisory partners rather than transactional providers
  • Where AI, internal talent teams, and procurement pressure are reshaping margins
  • Practical actions to strengthen differentiation, protect pricing, and increase strategic influence

You’ll leave with clearer insight into your competitive position, honest benchmarks against your peers, and tangible next steps to reinforce your commercial resilience.

About the speakers

speaker
Gordon Stoddart

Co-Founder, TRN

Speaker