Episode Details

In this episode, Brad sits down with recruitment expert Daniel Langley, founder of his own agency with a decade of experience in the industry. Daniel shares his journey from a successful career as a personal trainer to becoming a specialist in MES and smart manufacturing recruitment. They dive deep into the post-COVID landscape of hiring, exploring the challenges of inflation, the impact of AI, and the ongoing debate between remote and in-office work. Daniel provides actionable advice for both companies and job seekers, emphasising the importance of structured interviews, the power of a ‘don't-want’ list, and the necessity of building a visible personal brand in today’s digital market.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

A bad hire can cost a company up to 200% of that employee's salary when factoring in recruitment fees, training, onboarding, and lost productivity.

Beyond defining the perfect candidate, companies should create a ‘red line’ list of traits and qualifications they absolutely do not want to protect the company culture.

A successful hiring process should include at least three stages: a line manager interview, a ‘peer-to-peer interview’ to assess team fit, and a final meeting with the CEO or founder.

For professionals seeking growth, being visible, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn, and quantifying your specific impact (outcomes over responsibilities) is essential for triggering promotions.

Companies should strive to be in a state of constant recruitment rather than ‘turning the tap on’ only when a desperate need arises, allowing them to hire for potential rather than just immediate relief.

BEST MOMENTS

"The riches are in the niches. You just can't be a generalist; you've got to zero in on one micro area."

"I think you have to be delusional. You have to be delusional about what you can achieve and you've got to pitch into existence what you dream."

"I've always been a big believer in you either win or you learn."

"AI is excellent at repeatable tasks. The big differentiator is being able to talk about your impact, being able to demonstrate that you can make decisions, assess risks."

"Your LinkedIn profile should be treated as a professional digital CV."

HOST BIO

Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow.

He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting.

Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader.

Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.