'Phenomenal' year for the business with a Zest for recruitment success
FROM business start-up to being highly commended in The Evening Telegraph Business Awards in four short years – that amounts to a striking achievement.
FROM business start-up to being highly commended in The Evening Telegraph Business Awards in four short years – that amounts to a striking achievement.For Stamford-based Zest Solutions, 2008 was a "phenomenal" year which culminated in becoming a finalist in the Business of the Year Award (Small) category.
"We achieved sales growth of more than 100 per cent year on year, hitting a record month in July 2008," said Chris Trudgian (31), managing director of the young and ambitious team at Zest.
"In that time, the customer base also increased by 85 per cent and our staffing level rose by 40 per cent."
While, realistically in the economic climate, Mr Trudgian doesn't expect similar growth in the current 12-month period, there are still significant growth targets to achieve.
"Yes, we have had challenges, the team has shown real commitment to the cause, remaining positive and rising to the challenge; we are seeing it as more of an opportunity," he said.
The company, based in bright modern offices at Brooks Court, off Bath Row, specialises in the recruitment of salaried and managerial professionals in the food manufacturing and fresh produce industry. Its aim is to be the recruiter of choice to the food industry, helping employers attract the best talent and candidates find the best career opportunities.
In the medium to long term, Zest Solutions aspires to be number one in its field, to expand to other regions, but for the moment, and over the next 12 months, it remains focused on further development of East Anglia and the East Midlands. That is, working with local companies enabling Zest to offer far better customer service both for customers and candidates than its larger-scale and often remote competitors.
At the core of its business success is a passion for excellence in customer service, delivered by a dedicated and ambitious team. Even during the most challenging times, Chris believes it is even more important to get the basics right, work hard and deliver fantastic results for customers.
This is accomplished through a number of initiatives.
Each client is provided with a principal account manager and a secondary account manager, who covers for holidays, to ensure continuity of service.
Zest Solutions insists on face-to-face meetings with all candidates and clients.
"As a local company working with other local companies we are able to, and insist on, meeting every candidate we represent," said Mr Trudgian.
"Our client companies trust their recruitment to us – their employees are fundamental to their own success – and as such we take seriously our responsibility to find the best, most suitable candidates for their businesses."
The company shows its confidence in the candidates put forward by offering a 100 per cent money back guarantee to clients.
The Zest Solutions team is divided into a number of specialist areas to maximise market knowledge and efficiency, including the Operations and Production Team, Supply Chain, Engineering, Technical, Quality, New Product Development and Senior Appointments. Plans for the future include further market development within Human Resources and the Commercial areas of the food industry throughout the region"I am a big believer in making a major investment in the training and development of all staff, both on a career and a personal level," said Mr Trudgian. "To achieve that end, we combine internal and external training."
A number of incentives are also on offer to staff, including team holidays, customer service bonus schemes, company car scheme and Friday nights out. It all adds up to a buzzing and dynamic working environment.
And it is a long way forward from the early days in 2004, when Chris, at 26, started the company, with two staff, in serviced offices in Broad Street, Stamford.
Mr Trudgian's background prior to starting Zest Solutions was seven years in recruitment, in food and prior to that the IT recruitment field. But the previous roles had been very sales-oriented, an emphasis he wanted to break away from.
He saw an opportunity to specialise in the food industry, but it had to focus on customer service. He wanted to align people to cultures, to go on factory tours, for example, to understand the needs of clients and candidates rather than just focus on keywords on CVs.
The company started to develop its client base – from small local fresh produce companies to large blue chip multinationals.
Six months after it opened its doors, Zest Solutions, a self-styled consultative and specialised recruitment company, moved to 1 St Mary's Street.
It was a "great location with good offices which served us well." Turnover and profit grew year on year.
Then, in December 2008, on the strength of its very successful year, the company moved again to Brooks Court.
The brighter, open-plan offices are more conducive to a dynamic working environment, to aid Zest's aim for further growth and development.
The layout features "hot desking" incorporating brand new technology, aimed at further improvements in speed and efficiency. It's a further investment for a forward-looking company, which will continue to invest in training staff, plus plans to relaunch its website next month offering more advice and features for all concerned.
The company is also keen to give something back to the local community.
Mr Trudgian is also secretary for the Peterborough fund-raising committee which supports Barnardos, which encourages the team to get involved in local fund-raising events. In addition, Zest Solutions took part in last year's Great Eastern Run and also supports the Princes Trust. Along with the Great Eastern Run this year, the Zest team are taking in "tough guy", a gruelling army assault challenge for charity.
What the clients say
Below is a small selection of recent client testimonials:
"You offer genuine customer service (rare!).
You send the right CVs to be assessed and the right calibre of people for the right positions. Richard clearly understands our company and the personalities within it which is absolutely key for successful placements. There is just enough contact without us feeling 'hassled' and he does what it says on the tin! Richard offers exactly the right balance of professionalism and humour.
"You don't send me forklift drivers for QA managers' positions! You do seem to know what you're doing and offer customer service, it is really rare."
Technical director
"Richard has worked hard to understand requirements of PM role, not just from an academic/education point of view but also what any candidates' character and aspirations are, as well as considering experience and working experiences.
"Also the pre-interviews he carries out are good as it allows me to prepare accordingly for any interviews. Richard is honest, hardworking, approachable, realistic, professional, with a 'never say die attitude'. I would definitely recommend Zest to other businesses."
Q. A. manager
"Zest really make an effort to understand the role and the business to ensure candidates are suitable. Zest keep in regular contact to provide updates and act swiftly."
HR manager
"I would rate the service and support given by Zest 10/10. Zest gave good choice of candidate CVs – but good quality. I would definitely use Zest again."
Managing director.
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