IAM626- Recruiter Heads Company’s US operations

Ian is the Head of Americas for Tenth Revolution Group. He holds a first-class honors degree in Economics from Oxford Brookes University and has 15 years of experience in the recruitment industry.

He moved to the US in 2016 to oversee the launch of the company's Philadelphia and Tampa offices and is now responsible for all US operations.

• CEO Hack: Working with a like-minded, talented and united team
• CEO Nugget: Have a great value proposition that separates you from competitors
• CEO Defined: (1) Lifting and enabling people (2) Creating an environment that allows employees to achieve goals

Website: https://www.tenthrevolution.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianclarkfrg/

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Intro 0:02

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 0:29

Hello, this is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast. I have a very special guest on the show today. I have Ian Clark of the Tenth Revolution Group. Ian, it's awesome to have you on the show.

Ian Clark 0:39

Nice to meet you, Gresh. Thank you for having me.

Gresham Harkless 0:41

Yeah, super excited to have you on, and before we jump in, I want to read a little bit more about Ian so you hear about all the awesome things that he's doing. Ian is the Head of Americas for Tenth Revolution Group. He holds a first-class honors degree in Economics from Oxford Brookes University and has 15 years of experience in the recruitment industry. He moved to the US in 2016 to oversee the launch of the company's Philadelphia and Tampa offices and is now responsible for all US operations. Ian, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

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Ian Clark 1:09

Absolutely Gresh.

Gresham Harkless 1:10

Awesome. Let's do it. So they kick everything off, I wanted to hear a little bit more about your background, what led you to your current spot, and position all the awesome things you're doing.

Ian Clark 1:18

Perfect. Well, I actually started my career as an intern for a large multinational recruitment business in the UK. As part of my university degree, I took a sandwich placement, which is a full year in industry for learning some raw skills, and the trade of recruiting. I returned to the same firm as soon as I graduated, I kind of caught the recruitment bug very, very early on. I progressed very, very quickly to become a director in our business and had oversight of over 70 people specializing in banking and financial services, and recruitment. Then I worked in the temp revolution group in September 2016. I was presented with, I guess, a very unique opportunity to work for the fastest-growing recruitment firm in the world.

As a result, I kind of learned and progressed alongside some of the best and most talented individuals in the market. We're a niche IT specialist recruitment firm, which has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity working in the most fertile recruitment markets that I personally think I will ever, ever work in. It's really allowed me to grow the business develop myself and grow a career in conjunction with each other. Move to London, to Philadelphia, as you said, initially, and open up the Tampa office about 12 months later. Now I run the US operations, since I joined the business sort of grown it from 350 employees to 850 people in just three and a half years. In the time we've increased our year-on-year revenue by over 40% and opened up in the last 24 months alone, we've opened up an additional six new offices.

Though I didn't start the business I got on board crucially and really exciting time. Our objective has always been to find great people with great jobs within niche IT, they need an IT recruitment market, and digitalization the rise of cloud computing is growing exponentially year on year, and there the economic conditions, something that is like a it's like an industrial revolution. Really, the a need for specialist staffing experts who understand technology can provide real solutions and tackle disequilibrium and a skills gap. There's a war for talent in cloud tech that is only on the rise. The recruitment industry really is a sector that rewards hard work and ambition. If you are a really motivated person there is an opportunity that enables you to thrive.

It feels unique in that there's a sales environment yet there's also the real strategic element of placing the right candidate in the right role. The satisfaction and gratification you get from doing that is unparalleled. So I've definitely found my calling and something that I'm very proud to be a part of the tech revolution group and we're achieving some phenomenal things here.

Gresham Harkless 4:03

Yeah, absolutely. Sounds like you guys are definitely rocking and rolling and doing really phenomenal things to make obviously business organizations and people as well to very satisfied and happy so they can find their best place as well, too.

Ian Clark 4:16

Yeah, good.

Gresham Harkless 4:18

Awesome. So I know you touched on it a little bit. Could you take us through exactly what the 10th revolution does, and also a little bit more on how exactly that process works with clients?

Ian Clark 4:27

The Frank recruitment group is a brand within Tenth Revolution Group and SE is a recruitment firm. It's an outlier, right, staffing business and specializes in cloud solutions and cloud technology, and we focus on hyper-niche IT skill sets. We've always worked within these technology markets, with professionals who are experts in platforms such as Salesforce, AWS, and Microsoft as your instance. These ecosystems we've watched these grow and we've always worked within these technology markets, with professionals who are experts in platforms such as Salesforce, AWS, and Microsoft your instance. These ecosystems we've watched grow caught over quarter year over year and see the demand for IT professionals increase sort of exponentially. The cloud market is definitely the most fertile recruitment market that exists today.

The market has been able to keep up with the growth in the sector and now the sector is facing an enormous sort of skill shortage. So we're dedicated to connecting professionals with great jobs, when the number of jobs massively sort of outstrips the supply, the number of candidates that are available, that just simply isn't enough. So businesses struggle to get that talent they need, there's a real need for innovation. That kind of comes under under threat. So that's why we take a two-fold approach to solving this issue. Not only do we source candidates, but we also deliver hard-to-find talent through our niche IT sort of technology, staffing brands, we also create that talent as well through, we've got a new training brand, as well. So there are two streams or two strategies within our business, which are tank creation and then there's placing of talent.

Gresham Harkless 6:05

Yeah, that makes so much sense. I appreciate you guys for being able to solve both of those problems, because as you said of course, you want to be able to find the talent and play that matchmaker piece where people are looking for certain talent, and then you're able to find the right candidate for that. But in the same way, if there is a dearth of talent and not the right person, and I've I fit right fit, that somebody does have to take the charge of being able to cultivate and create that talent and to train that talent and be able to kind of do that in two-part kind of makes you guys a one-stop shop sounds like.

Ian Clark 6:37

Exactly that definitely differentiates our services.

Gresham Harkless 6:41

Yeah and do you feel like I call it your secret sauce? I think it'd be for you personally or for the business. But what do you feel is that what just kind of sets you guys apart and makes you unique?

Ian Clark 6:52

Yeah, I think we take a fully comprehensive approach to tackling this sort of skills gap. So we're not just sourcing for talent in creating it, absolutely and getting people certified and developing skill sets that are fit for the market absolutely there's no other business like ours that is doing both parts of this. With our experience and staffing kind of technology ecosystems, we see firsthand where all the gaps are, we know where the sources are. We know that creating talent offers a solution to our clients.

We're keeping the tech market really moving. We are uniquely equipped to create solutions to these issues because we've been working in the spaces for almost 15 years. So the depth of expertise in the business is unparalleled. We were product experts so we know the technology extremely well and we know the skills that are needed to utilise these platforms and develop them. That really is part of the magic sauce.

Gresham Harkless 7:51

Yeah, absolutely. I think I always say, I feel like all industries are definitely being I don't know if we're right word is disrupted by technology. Regardless of what the right word is, at the end of the day, there is constant change and constant evolution. To be able to kind of stay abreast of that and be able to course, like he said, be able to find those people that are able to fulfill, like those roles that these organizations need, but on the same part, be able to kind of keep your ear to the ground and be able to cultivate that talent as well to and to build and grow. That is definitely something that is unique.

Ian Clark 8:22

Yeah.

Gresham Harkless 8:25

Awesome. So I wanted to switch gears a little bit and I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO hack. So that could be like an app or book or habit that you have, but what's something that makes you more effective and efficient?

Ian Clark 8:36

That's a tough question that is. I think if you think about some of the resources that are available, there's just so much that you can use from boxes to apps, to mentors in the marketplace. For me, really one thing that I think has enabled me to be successful and self-aware is I work with some of the most talented like-minded individuals who challenge each other. I think that I'm blessed and very, very fortunate to work with a leadership team that is exceptional at what they do some of the brightest, sharpest minds in the industry, and the value of having a fully united compatible leadership team. I don't think that can be understated.

Asio James Roy Townsend is a visionary, he's somebody who creates a leadership team that is really allied towards achieving our goals and pushing our goals to different boundaries that we were the develops individuals but develops the business in a very unique way. So, I think that having kind of my business hack, I suppose would never be to stop challenging your leadership team. Even if you're aligned toward the same goal and are in sync, in terms of what needs to be done, there's always a better way to do things. You can only find a better way to challenge the status quo by pushing each other being better to be smarter and really thinking outside of the box. So the one resource, I would say is absolutely having a great, unbelievable team, that you are a part of and you're working towards a common objective?

Gresham Harkless 10:16

Yeah, absolutely. A lot of times, I'll say your environment will determine your altitude and you have to be very aware of the team you're creating of the people that you're putting in place. It's great to hear that the leadership team and the CEO have really made it a point to do that. I think that when you are able to do that, that's when you start to see those innovations. That growth in that kind of, I guess pace setting that you guys are doing as well to where you're setting seems like the market is on a different path than it may have seen it. I think when you're doing that, and it doesn't start with just standing on a mountain saying, hey, let's do XYZ asserts to be creative with that environment and the people that are out here.

Ian Clark 10:58

Yeah, we as an organization know that we can achieve so much more than what we are doing today and that is the most exciting thing about the journey that we're on is the opportunity that we have in front of us. We know that the only failings we have ourselves internally, are not external to us as a team and not staying focused and developing and pushing ourselves and pushing the boundaries and that's a beautiful thing to be a part of.

Gresham Harkless 11:23

Yeah, absolutely it definitely is a beautiful thing. So I wanted to ask you now for what I call a CEO nugget, so that could be like a word of wisdom or piece of advice or something, you might even tell your younger business self.

Ian Clark 11:35

Yeah for me, it's got to be you got to differentiate and specialize, you have to have a great value proposition that really sets you apart from your competitors. In every market, there is a gap of some form. You have a huge opportunity to create a leading business if you are different. Operating in niche markets, I've seen this, there's so much benefit in doing that. But one of the main ones is that you can develop a specialist understanding and become a genuine authority in your sector. Differentiating your business doesn't necessarily mean choosing an entirely uncultivated type or niche market. There could be, there could well be other businesses doing the same thing already. But I doing it as a market leader, okay.

So if you see an already service market, but you believe the business could outshine competitors, then it's absolutely worth looking at. The niche market that isn't being served as well could also be as fruitful. As a niche market that isn't being served at all. So your specialism could be your industry focus, product focus, geographical focus, whatever it is, you've got to stick to it and you can't be the world's best-hidden secret, that's for sure.

Gresham Harkless 12:55

No, I love that, yeah, you definitely can be the world's best. You probably don't necessarily want to be the world's best, hidden secret. I think you're absolutely right when you're able to and that's what I love about how you guys have been able to create that sounds like a very learning culture where you're constantly advancing. You see where you want to be, you see the potential that there is, and you see those opportunities in those niches that you kind of spoke to, and then you're able to kind of execute on those so that it makes everything so much better.

Ian Clark 13:25

Yeah.

Gresham Harkless 13:27

Awesome. So I wanted to ask you my absolute favorite question, and I love that perspective as well, too, just because I know that you mentioned that you've been able to start the organization here in the United States, and did launch many offices and don't do anything. So I wanted to ask you, even though I know you don't necessarily hold that title, what does being a CEO mean to you? Or what does it mean for you to be able to have that charge and the role in the head of Americans for being able to expand the Tenth Revolution Group?

Ian Clark 13:52

To me, I suppose being a leader, or CEO is lifting people, enabling people. It's about creating an environment that really allows your employees to achieve their goals. You have to set a very clear vision about what is expected and then empower the staff to go above and beyond. As a leader, you are responsible for defining the journey that your business is on, that you can't do on your own. You've got to build great teams, you go encourage a collaborative and inclusive way of working, and more importantly, challenge each other to do the right thing for your customers and for each other. So yeah that's kind of what it means to me personally.

Gresham Harkless 14:34

Nice. I absolutely love that. And I appreciate that. I think that, as you said, the word that really resonated with me was the word empower. I think that you're absolutely right when you are a leader, and you do have that opportunity to lead a team and to be part of a team even to that degree and especially as you said, even be market leaders and, for your clients and your customers as well, too. You have to kind of have that empowerment mindset where you are learning but you're also empowering people to be able to continue to do the same thing as well, too. That's when you create that energy and all those kinds of revolutionary changes that you guys are doing.

Ian Clark 15:07

Yeah. Thank you ever so much. Gresh it's been a pleasure speaking to you today.

Gresham Harkless 15:12

Yeah, absolutely. It's been awesome and what I wanted to do is pass you the mic, so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional, you want to let our readers and listeners know. Then of course, how best they can get a hold of you, and find out how they can get any help they need.

Ian Clark 15:24

Yeah, brilliant. Thank you. Hopefully, you've all learned or heard today a little bit about our business, we're in a business that really wants to make a difference in the IT ecosystem within the cloud computing market. So if anybody wants any impartial advice, or any support, or any guidance on themselves as individuals or their business I'm here to help. I'm in a privileged position to empower people's lives change them and enrich everybody's careers. So please feel free to contact me my email address is ianclark@tenthgroup.com and myself available to as many of you as I possibly can.

Gresham Harkless 16:01

Awesome. Thank you so much again, and I truly appreciate that. We will have the links and information in the show notes. But thank you for blazing trails and doing so many awesome things and you're reminding us to do the same thing too. Basically take on and understand that change is only inevitable and we must make sure that we're doing that as well. So appreciate you again, our friend and I hope you have a great rest today.

Outro 16:22

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Google Play and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.

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