How I work

One system. Three ways to work together.

Every recruitment agency is different. But in 30 years, I’ve never met a business problem that didn’t come back to one of four things. That’s the 4S System, and everything I do is built on it.

Karen Haywood hosting a recruitment business workshop

Sales

How you win business, grow revenue and make sure your pipeline is real, not wishful. This is where my BLUNT framework comes in: five levers most owners only half-pull.

Staffing

How you hire, develop and keep the people who make the business work.

Strategy

How you lead, make decisions and keep the business moving in the right direction.

Structure

The systems, processes and roles that let the business run without you holding it together by hand.

Clarity Sprint

Where most owners start.

For owners who know something needs to change, but can’t see clearly where to start.

  • Six one-hour sessions on Zoom, fortnightly over 12 weeks
  • We start with your goals and a score across all four S’s, then work through Sales, Staffing, Strategy and Structure, starting wherever it hurts most
  • The final session pulls it all together
  • You walk away with: a written 90-day plan with clear priorities, owners and dates
Two recruitment leaders writing during a Coach Recruitment workshop
Practical work that turns priorities into a clear 90-day plan

Foundation Builder

For owners ready to fix the foundations.

A hands-on 12-week programme to put the plan into action with you and your team.

  • Three in-person days at your business, 10:00-16:00
  • Two-hour Zoom sessions in between
  • DiSC behavioural profiles for up to five of your team, so you know how to get the best from each person
  • Practical work across all four S’s, from your sales engine to your structure
  • You walk away with: stronger foundations, a team that understands how to work together, and a business that depends less on you

Leadership & Growth Partnership

For owners who want someone in their corner, every month.

A 12-month partnership with an experienced operator by your side - to grow the business, sharpen your mindset and step up as a leader.

  • 3 x 90-minute Zoom sessions each month - strategy, accountability and the conversations you can't have with your team
  • 1 in-person half day each month - where the bigger thinking happens and you come away clear
  • WhatsApp support between sessions - quick questions and sense-checks when something can't wait
  • Quarterly BLUNT reviews and an annual planning session to keep the numbers and the plan on track
  • You walk away with: a sounding board, an accountability partner and a strategist who knows your business inside out - and the confidence that comes from not doing it alone

The biggest takeaway for me was the BLUNT framework… relooking at those figures for 2026 was absolutely invaluable.

Kate Pexton, Founder, Consulte Ltd

Not sure where to start?

Take the 2-minute Owner Ceiling Scorecard, or book a free 30-minute chat and we’ll work it out together.