YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 64

The young maestro

Thrown in at the deep end in a tiny office in Switzerland, James Absalom, 29, spent
six months on the phone in his flip-flops - and now his profits have grown 200%
hy did you go into
recruitment?
I actually started in sales selling digital
space. It was intense, you weren't
allowed to have a chair, it was quite
funny really and a great learning curve.
It gave me the ability to be tenacious
and build relationships with people. I
fell into recruitment when a job came
up locally that I enjoyed. I love being
the middle man, negotiating and acting
as an ambassador.
You worked in the Swiss banking
sector - how did they recruit?
I went there in 2011 and quickly
realised their recruitment process was
incredibly slow and uninspiring. It
would take three to six months to get
someone in at director level or above
and the clients just accepted this as
'this is how long it takes'.
What made you want to start your
own business?
I was 24 and working with senior vice
presidents of banks and companies in
Zurich and Geneva who were on £200K.
I went into a specialist vertical market
covering procurement, finance and
supply chain and within 10 days my MD
was let go. I spent six months in a 3m by
4m office in flip-flops, just ringing
around to build a network. I realised this

could be special but I needed support,
infrastructure and funding, so I pitched
to James Caan and in April 2015 Walter
James was launched.
What have you learned?
In the first year it was about building the
brand, keeping the sales as strong as
possible and creating a team. Now there
are nine heads. In year two it has been
about developing accounts. My strengths
are sales and business development,
building relationships and I'm a good
leader. The biggest thing I've learned is
not to do everything yourself, take a step
back and find someone better to do it.
Why has your business worked?
We concentrate on recruiting in the
retail, pharmaceutical, consumer goods
sector. We have made placements in
35 countries with some of the biggest
consumer and pharmaceutical brands.
The average salary is £100K, the
largest £500K. Even though the team
are all under 30 we are knowledgeable
about the network and sector and this is
by far the most powerful sales tool.
A lot of international clients view UK
recruitment as pushy and maverick
and we broke into that market by
showing we were knowledgeable and
pragmatic about executive search.
It seems to have worked.
All the team are under
30 and know their stuff

What has been the hardest part of
running your own business?
It has been stressful going from being a
billing consultant to concentrating on
everything to do with a business. It's a
huge job and you have to manage your
time well. I've worked on being
organised and making sure I hire the
best people. Finding a team who are the
right fit with commercial and business
acumen and have the dynamism to
succeed has been challenging.
What is your best achievement?
Building a lean and profitable business.
Many new businesses can be bumpy but
we've been making a profit since April
2015 and it's quite rare to cover costs so
early. In 18 months we've broken £1.5
million in revenue and grown our profit
200%. The access and relationships
we've built so quickly is phenomenal.
What has been your biggest lesson?
The value of other people's opinions.
When I was younger my way was the
only way. If you let people have their
say, they will work in ways that suit
them and you.
Best piece of advice you've had?
To have a team who can do what you
can't. Don't try to learn something that
you are never going to be able to do, you
will waste time and money. You need to
trust and give autonomy to others.
Advice to someone else thinking
of starting their own business?
Know your competitors and who are
the best and worst in the market. Be
the most knowledgeable too - if you
have the knowledge base other people
don't, clients will always remember
you for it - and that way you build
your reputation.

64

WORDS: GEORGINA MARIC

W



YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016

YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 1
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 2
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 3
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 4
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 5
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 6
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 7
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 8
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 9
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 10
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 11
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 12
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 13
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 14
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 15
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 16
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 17
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 18
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 19
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 20
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 21
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 22
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 23
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 24
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 25
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 26
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 27
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 28
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 29
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 30
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 31
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 32
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 33
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 34
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 35
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 36
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 37
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 38
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 39
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 40
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 41
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 42
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 43
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 44
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 45
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 46
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 47
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 48
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 49
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 50
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 51
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 52
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 53
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 54
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 55
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 56
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 57
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 58
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 59
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 60
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 61
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 62
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 63
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 64
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 65
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 66
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 67
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 68
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 69
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 70
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 71
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 72
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 73
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 74
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 75
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 76
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 77
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 78
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 79
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 80
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 81
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 82
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 83
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 84
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 85
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 86
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 87
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 88
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 89
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 90
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 91
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 92
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 93
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 94
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 95
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 96
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 97
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 98
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 99
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 100
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 101
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 102
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 103
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 104
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 105
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 106
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 107
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 108
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 109
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 110
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 111
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 112
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 113
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 114
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 115
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 116
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 117
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 118
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 119
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 120
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 121
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 122
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 123
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 124
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 125
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 126
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 127
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 128
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 129
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 130
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 131
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 132
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 133
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 134
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 135
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 136
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 137
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 138
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 139
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 140
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 141
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 142
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 143
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 144
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 145
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 146
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 147
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 148
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 149
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 150
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 151
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 152
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 153
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 154
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 155
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 156
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 157
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 158
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 159
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 160
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 161
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 162
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 163
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 164
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 165
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 166
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 167
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 168
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 169
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 170
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 171
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 172
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 173
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 174
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 175
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 176
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 177
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 178
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 179
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 180
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 181
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 182
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 183
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 184
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 185
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 186
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 187
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 188
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 189
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 190
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 191
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 192
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 193
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 194
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 195
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 196
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 197
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 198
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 199
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 200
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 201
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 202
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 203
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 204
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 205
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 206
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 207
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 208
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 209
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 210
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 211
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 212
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 213
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 214
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 215
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 216
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 217
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 218
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 219
YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016 - 220
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/your-business-with-james-caan-autumn-2024-2
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/your-business-with-james-caan-autumn-2024-1
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/your-business-with-james-caan-spring-2024
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/yourbusiness2021
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomewithchrisjessen2018
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomewithsarahbeenyautumn2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomewithlorrainekelly2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomeparentingwithJoFrost2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/SarahBeenySpring2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AskTheDoctorWithDrJessenFebruary2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithTessDaly2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithGloriaHunnifordOctober2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithSarahBeenyAutumn2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithLorraineKelly2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithJoFrostJune2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithSarahBeenySpring2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeWithDrChristianJessen2016
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AthomeWithTessDaly2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/YourBusinessWithJamesCaanAutumn2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AthomeWithSarahBeeny2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AthomeWithGloriaHunniford2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHomeLorraineKelly2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/JoFrost15
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/SarahBennyMay2015
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/OrthopaedicSupplementMarch2015
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/DrChristianJessenFeb2015
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomewithtessdaly
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/jobsandcareers2014
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/yourbusinesswithjamescaan
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/athomewithsarahbeeny
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/parentingjofrost
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/drchristianjessen
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Athomelorrainekelly
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Athomesarahbeeny
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Cheers_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Christmas_New_year_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Exclusive_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Jo_Frost_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Carol_Vorderman_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Christian_Jessen_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Sarah_Beeny_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Lorraine_Kelly_2013
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_James_Martin_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Jo_Frost_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Dr_Chris_Steele_Sept_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Sally_Gunnell_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Sarah_Beeny_Aug_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Lorraine-Kelly_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Christian_Jessen_2012
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_James_Martin_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Sarah_beeny_winter_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Lorraine_Kelly_Nov_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/At_Home_Marco_Pierre_White_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/AtHome/Jo_Frost_July_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Lorraine_Kelly_June_2011/Lorraine_Kelly_June_2011
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/AtHome/Sarah_Beeny_May_2011
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com