The Power of Exclusivity….. Why the Single Agency Agreement is on the rise?

"After 20 years of specialisation in Procurement and Supply Chain Recruitment, we have seen that our clients secure better candidates when they work on a single agency basis!"

During the last year we have seen evidence of changes in Client-Agency relationships. Where once almost all our large corporate clients were using multiple agencies, supplying a brief through their HR function or MSP and sometimes it would seem ‘hoping for the best’…. We are now seeing many clients realising the benefit of choosing a single trusted recruitment partner.

Choosing an exclusive arrangement with the right specialist agency, will help secure the very best talent; here’s why:-


First past the post doesn’t work with high skill procurement and supply chain roles!

Working on a ‘first past the post’ approach (which, let’s be honest, is the likely result if your MSP/HR Team send out a blanket Job Spec and an email to multiple agencies on their PSL) will NOT necessarily get you the best candidates. The FPTP approach hits the HR/MSP numbers and KPI’s, but doesn’t always take on board the talent quality issue; and without clear and shared objectives, your organisation simply won’t see the best talent available.


Using multiple agencies might get you more CV’s, but will it secure you the best people?....

Procurement skill sets are becoming ever more specialist and finding the right candidates for your business’ needs thought, great communication, knowledge, expertise and commitment and above all clear campaign and talent objectives. Does your multiple agencyPSL process accommodate all of these; and if it doesn’t maybe it’s time for a rethink?


Cost Down with Minimal Risk…

All the above will encroach on your organisations time and resources. If you want to secure the best talent available, you need to brief all your agencies fully. Do your recruitment processes comprehensively accommodate this? Do your processes effectively provide a comprehensive brief to all agencies on your PSL, with the ability to discuss detailed requirements with the Hiring Manager….. and if does all this, what is the real cost of Hiring Manager’s and HR time?


Working with one specific agency that you trust, will reach and secure the talent you need…

Working for clients on an exclusive agency basis is likely to secure a better recruitment outcome. As in any relationship commitment and accountability are critical; in a sole agency agreement this is given, but in a multiple agency arrangement both can get blurred, particularly if the client’s recruitment systems are not flexible or robust enough.


Verifying your Specialist Agency…

If you’re not quite sure about working with a single agency, maybe agree a week or two of exclusivity, before going out to market. A good specialist agency should be able to provide you with 2 or 3 suitable candidates in just a few days, giving you the confidence that they will be a reliable and trusted long-term recruitment partner that can really find you the people you need.  An experienced and smart specialist recruiter, working to a comprehensive brief and who understands the subtleties of your organisation and culture, will quickly and seamlessly secure you talented, great fit candidates.