Why Relying on Top Performers for Training Could Be Costing Your Recruitment Business
In recruitment organizations, leveraging top performers to train new or struggling team members is often seen as a logical step. After all, who better to share insights and best practices than those already achieving exceptional results? However, when you dig deeper, this approach might be costing your business more than it’s worth. Here’s why:
The True Cost of Removing Top Performers from Billing Roles
Top performers are typically responsible for generating a significant portion of your company’s revenue. In fact, studies show that high-performing employees are 400% more productive than average ones in complex roles (source: McKinsey). Redirecting their focus from revenue-generating activities to training can lead to considerable revenue loss. For instance:
- A top biller generating £20,000/month in placements who spends 20% of their time training others effectively reduces their billings by £4,000/month.
- Over a year, that’s a £48,000 loss—a significant hit to your bottom line.
Opportunity Costs
Every hour a top performer spends on training is an hour they’re not:
- Closing deals with clients.
- Building relationships with high-value candidates.
- Expanding your agency’s footprint in competitive markets.
This shift in focus can impact not only short-term revenues but also long-term growth opportunities.
Are Top Performers the Best Trainers?
While your top performers excel in recruitment, they may not excel at training. Research by the Harvard Business Review suggests that the skills required for effective teaching—patience, communication, and adaptability—often don’t align with the traits of high achievers, who tend to focus on results rather than processes.
Additionally, without formal training expertise, they may struggle to transfer their knowledge in a way that is actionable and sustainable for learners.
The Ripple Effect on Team Dynamics
When top performers are pulled into training roles, it can create a perception of favoritism or inequality. Other team members may feel undervalued, leading to disengagement. This disruption in team morale can further impact productivity and retention rates.
Backed by Data: Training Alternatives
A report by Training Industry found that organizations using dedicated training professionals or technology-based learning systems experienced a 20% higher knowledge retention rate compared to peer-led training. These alternatives are not only more cost-effective but also scalable.
Platforms like Rekbot provide AI-driven training tailored to recruitment scenarios, ensuring consistent, high-quality learning experiences without disrupting your top billers. By automating training, your top performers remain focused on what they do best: billing.
What Does Inefficiency Look Like?
To quantify the inefficiency, let’s consider an example:
- Agency Size: 50 recruiters.
- Top Performer Revenue: £200,000 annually.
- Time Spent Training: 15% of work hours.
Annual Cost of Training Time: £200,000 × 15% = £30,000 per top performer.
If two top performers are involved, the total annual cost is £60,000—excluding the potential cost of diminished learner outcomes due to unoptimized training methods.
Rekbot: A Better Way to Train
Rekbot’s AI-powered platform offers:
- Scenario-Based Learning: Trainees practice real-world scenarios like objection handling or pitching.
- Custom Learning Pathways: Tailored modules that align with your team’s needs.
- Real-Time Feedback: AI provides immediate coaching based on performance.
- Scalability: Train multiple recruits simultaneously without additional costs.
By investing in a technology-driven solution like Rekbot, you not only save on opportunity costs but also ensure that your training is engaging, effective, and measurable.
Conclusion
While using top performers as trainers may seem like a quick win, the hidden costs to your business are substantial. By embracing advanced training solutions like Rekbot, you keep your best recruiters focused on driving revenue while delivering superior training outcomes.
The future of recruitment training isn’t pulling top performers away from their desks—it’s empowering your entire team with tools that scale, automate, and deliver results.
