How important is ethics in times of harsh competition?
I wanted to share some thoughts on the current competitive landscape, particularly in Life Sciences and specialised recruitment companies. As we all know, the market is becoming increasingly
tense, and competition is fierce as business opportunities dwindle. While competition is natural and even beneficial, it's important to address some troubling trends I've observed.
For a long time, we've had a relatively fair playing field, where despite being competitors, we respected each other’s diverse approaches. However, lately, the environment has changed. Many
companies have strengthened their internal Talent Acquisition teams, leading to fewer opportunities for external recruiters. This has undoubtedly increased pressure. Unfortunately, this pressure
has also led to a decline in ethical conduct for some. Instead of focusing on their strengths and value proposition, some head-hunters have resorted to attacking their competitors, particularly
those with different fee structures. There's a harmful narrative suggesting that only those who work on retainers can provide high-quality service, while those on success fees are somehow
inferior – nuts to put it bluntly. I want to be clear, I'm not trying to judge any particular model. I've worked with both retainer and success fee structures and have seen success and quality
with each. The choice of model should depend on economic constraints and NEVER compromise service quality, or it is a wrong choice.
What I find truly concerning is the trend of relying on competitor bashing as a marketing tactic. If a head-hunter needs to undermine others to win your business, it raises questions about their
overall approach and integrity. A reliable and ethical partner will focus on their own value and demonstrate why they are the best fit for your needs. Before making any decisions, I encourage you
to have direct conversations with potential providers. A seasoned head-hunter will never try to gain your trust by tearing others down. Trust is paramount, and if a provider shows disrespect to
their peers, how can you be sure they'll respect their clients?
(Photo generated by Canvas)