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Centred Excellence
Performance development, recruitment training and coaching for recruitment business owners, managers and independent recruiters.
Success Stories
Louise Doubled Revenue and Reclaimed 30+ Hours a Month by Building Scalable Systems
- Hired an EA and outsourced accounting and invoicing
- Increased placements by 100% all without expanding the team size
Louise Landau
Founder and DIrector, Ryder Executive Search
The Situation
Louise Landau is the founder and director of Ryder Executive Search, a boutique headhunting firm specialising in senior-level roles within lean and industrial manufacturing. Known for her meticulous approach and commitment to quality, Louise quickly established herself as a trusted partner in her niche. Her high standards and dedication to delivering exceptional results were driving strong client referrals and business growth.
However, as Ryder Executive Search gained traction, Louise began to feel the strain of managing everything herself. While her focus on quality set her apart, the increasing demands of running the business—such as managing admin tasks, client delivery, and team coordination—became overwhelming. “My goal has always been to deliver a level of quality that reflects my standards, not just for myself, but for my clients,” Louise explained. “But I realised that the time I spent on admin and other tasks I wasn’t naturally good at was stopping me from focusing on what I do best.”
Juggling competing priorities while keeping her business running smoothly was becoming increasingly difficult. Although the business was thriving from a revenue perspective, Louise was concerned that scaling the business might compromise the brand identity and high standards she had worked so hard to build.
Determined to find a solution, Louise began searching for support. After an initial conversation with Katy and Nicky at Centred Excellence, she decided to join the ROCKIT programme. Through this journey, she implemented systems and processes that not only protected but enhanced her brand identity, allowing her to delegate effectively, streamline operations, and double her placements and revenue—all while maintaining the high standards her clients expect.
The Outcome Louise Wanted:
- Build a scalable recruitment business that maintains high-quality client service while efficiently handling increased workloads.
- Reduce personal workload by creating systems for delegation, enabling focus on strategic growth and client relationships.
- Establish structured workflows and clear team roles to eliminate inefficiencies and improve operational effectiveness.
- Double revenue within 12 months by increasing placements without expanding the team size.
- Develop a scalable recruitment delivery process that ensures consistent results and client satisfaction across all projects.
- Step away from the “Chief Everything Officer” role to achieve a sustainable work-life balance and reduce stress.
- Position the business as a leader in lean and industrial manufacturing recruitment, known for speed, quality, and reliability.
Final Words From Louise About ROCKIT and Her Learnings
“You are the author of your own destiny. I think getting your mindset right—especially when things get challenging or don’t go your way—is so important. Just having the ability to talk the issues through with someone who understands how you’re feeling, and having tools to shift that mindset, has been absolutely invaluable.
And one of the greatest lessons I learned was: invest to get returns. Nothing comes with nothing. You need to put something in to get something back, and that initial investment pays dividends in the end.”
Listen to what Louise has to say:
Implementation and Results
Louise Landau transformed her business with the ROCKIT programme. By implementing scalable systems, she replicated her high standard of brand quality, doubling revenue while reclaiming over 30 hours per month:
- Hired an executive assistant to manage emails and administrative duties, reclaiming approximately two hours per day.
- Outsourced accounting and invoicing, saving two to three days per month and ensuring accurate financial management.
- Implemented specialised tools for communication, significantly reducing time spent on emails.
- Created detailed job descriptions with clearly defined roles and responsibilities to improve team accountability and efficiency.
- Streamlined workflows and built a scalable delivery system to handle increased workloads without compromising quality.
- Introduced scorecards and monitoring tools to track key metrics, conversions, and performance.
- Doubled revenue by increasing placements by 100%, all without expanding the team size.
- Shifted leadership focus from day-to-day operations to strategic growth and team development.
- Developed a supportive, purpose-driven work environment, enabling team members to excel in their roles.
- Achieved a sustainable work-life balance by delegating tasks and reconnecting with family and friends.
- Built a scalable, efficient business model that ensures consistent client service and supports long-term growth.
Final Words From Dawn About Working With Centred Excellence
“Nicky and Katy have helped me in so many ways. Handling my mindset has been hard for me alongside some of the issues that we’d had at the beginning of the year.
Then, becoming unwell myself, it was challenging to drag myself in and have that positive mindset. I had to have it. I had to keep going. I had a purpose and a belief that was in the pit of my stomach that no matter what, I’ve got to keep going and I did and look at the results.
My final words of advice is; follow the process and just do it. And that’s what it comes down to, do it. The programme Nicky and Katy run gives you the blueprint; it’s the map.
When we first spoke Nicky used the example of the pilot taking 500 excited people to Disney World and that most of the time on route they are off course.
However, they still have a map for where they’re going, because they’ve got 500 passengers on there that want to get to Disney World.
You give us that map. You give us that blueprint to do it. And it’s down to us, yes we might deviate off course, that’s fine, but if you follow that map and you follow the blueprint, you will get to Disney World; and I have to say it is magical when you get there.”
Dawn Turbitt MD of KSB Recruitment
Listen to what Dawn has to say:
Implementation and Results
Dawn set a new vision for the company with Katy and Nicky’s help.
With a new lease of energy and belief in hereself and the team, Dawn started to direct, coach and lead the consultants to success.
Dawn set a stretch goal of £750,000 in turnover in 12 months; bearing in mind in Feb 2018 her turnover was £16,805.
Dawn started by rigorously implementing a 90-day plan following Nicky’s structure. This included setting revenue goals, analysing how many placements they would need and how many interviews would have to take place.
KPI’s were set, and the consultants followed an accountability process; including Dawn, who shared her results on the whiteboard too; the team were buzzing.
Dawn actioned Nicky and Katy’s Gold and Silver job process with her team and removed 50% of the current unprofitable jobs they were working off the board.
The consultants started ‘specking out’ candidates using the Centredexcellence MPC strategy.
Dawn instigated a performance management process across the team resulting in the non performers leaving. This left Dawn and a small focussed team. There are two perm consultants, two temp, Dawn and a part-time secretary.
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