Most recruitment CEOs I know read the occasional business/self help book [or at least buy it and use it as a paperweight]. Only a select few go further than that.
A recent article in the FT about how useful MBAs can be for entrepreneurs prompted me to speak to Ashley Lawrence, founder and now Chairman of the Trinnovo Group and Paul Chapman, co-owner of Human Capital. Both completed MBAs whilst building their firms.
When asked if recruitment entrepreneurs need an MBA to be successful Ashley Lawrence was quite clear. “It really depends on what type of recruitment entrepreneur you are talking about. A lifestyle entrepreneur then absolutely not, but a recruitment entrepreneur that wants to build, scale, internationalise, understand organisational behaviour then corporate finance, risk/reward and exit then yes – an MBA would help.”
The decision to invest over GBP 50,000 in his MBA wasn’t taken lightly however. Neither was the time and effort it would take to complete it. “I considered Cass, Imperial, London Business School and Cranfield, before choosing Cass. I felt that the content of their course, the fact that it was an MBA for executives rather than full time students and the alumni list all pointed to the fact that I was going to learn from those around me as well as from content of the course.”
“I also felt that the doing a ‘quality’ MBA would raise my standing with clients and advisors and that my cohort and the MBA alumni as a whole would provide opportunity for me and my company in the future. All of this has been borne out since completing the qualification in 2018”.
Paul Chapman completed his MBA at Rice University in Houston in 2013, having set up Human Capital’s North American business in 2007.
“In my opinion an MBA can be useful for recruitment entrepreneurs but only if you enjoyed school and academics. Nothing will save you from finance, accounting and statistics. Not everyone is suited to the content of an MBA and there are plenty of other ways to invest and train yourself. Personally speaking it was always a goal of mine and I was lucky enough that HC was willing to invest in me.”
When challenged on what the material outcomes have been, Paul is quite clear. “From an internal perspective, in a crowded marketplace with few barriers to entry, firms can only succeed if they have a clear, differentiating strategy. An MBA gives you the tools and structure to understand your environment, choose a strategy and execute on it. Externally it gives you a real understanding of the needs and situations your client finds themselves in. Having business training is a force multiplier for any recruiter and firm”.
For Paul, the alumni weren’t a factor. “Don’t do it to make connections. Whilst some will become friends, its very much luck of the draw who you learn with.”
So what are the alternatives? From Ashley’s perspective, an MBA is a big commitment, both from a time and cost point of view. “I got a heck of a lot out of it but it was hard work and meant giving up a lot of personal time…the business needed me to be fully engaged. There are shorter, less expensive courses, particularly around finance and accounting that would make sense for a recruitment CEO, but they don’t bring the alumni effect.”
For Paul he’s clear that his MBA helped him develop his critical thinking as well as how to work in and lead teams. With respect to alternatives, “Recruitment leaders can gain the same essential training through shorter, more focused courses offered by business schools around the world, typically 6 week summer courses. Identify your gaps, your interests and goals and find courses that fit.”
Justin Pearson
Founder
justinpearson@hyvve.co.uk
