How a Client’s Challenge Inspired Us to Transform Our Recruitment Process

Real Stories, Real Solutions: Smarter Recruitment for Kenyan Businesses

A few weeks ago, we received a call from Lucy, a HR manager at a mid-sized Tours & Travel Company in Nairobi. She was feeling the pinch of recruitment costs. "Why are agencies so expensive?" she asked. "We’ve spent thousands on hiring fees this year, but some of the hires didn’t even last three months!"

Lucy’s frustration was clear—and valid. Recruitment agencies often charge high fees, but they rarely take the time to truly understand the needs of the business. As we listened to Lucy’s story, we saw an opportunity not just to help her, but to rethink how recruitment could be done better—for both employers and candidates.

Lucy’s Challenge:

• High Costs, Low Returns Like many Kenyan businesses, Lucy’s firm relied on traditional recruitment agencies to fill key positions. Here’s what wasn’t working for her:
• High fees: With fees tied to a percentage of annual salaries, recruitment costs were eating into the HR budget.
• Poor cultural fits: Some hires looked good on paper but didn’t align with the company’s fast-paced, team-oriented culture.
• Lack of flexibility: Agencies offered a one-size-fits-all approach, with little room for customization or post-placement support.

Lucy wanted a solution that would lower recruitment costs, ensure better hires, and align with her company’s growth goals.

How We Turned Lucy’s Challenge into an Opportunity

Lucy's concerns sparked an important question for us: How could we lower recruitment costs while delivering more value? This led us to reassess and improve our entire recruitment process.

Here’s what we did:

1. Understanding Employer Needs Firsthand.

Before diving into recruitment, we visited Lucy’s office to understand her business better.

We spent time observing the team dynamics and learning about the company culture.

We identified the specific skills and personality traits needed for the roles Lucy wanted to fill.

For example, instead of just finding a Tours & Travel manager, we looked for someone who could lead a diverse team under tight deadlines.

This hands-on approach ensured we weren’t just hiring for the job but for the company’s unique environment.

2. Leveraging AI to Lower Costs and Save Time.

To address Lucy’s budget concerns, we introduced AI-powered recruitment tools:

AI quickly matched candidates to Lucy’s specific requirements, reducing the time spent on manual screening.

Algorithms focused on objective factors like skills and experience, promoting fairness and eliminating biases.

Candidates who fit the profile were shortlisted within days, cutting weeks off the hiring process.

This not only lowered recruitment costs but also ensured Lucy received high-quality candidates tailored to her needs.

3. Partnering with Job Boards for Wider Reach

To expand the pool of candidates, we collaborated with leading Kenyan job boards like BrighterMonday and Fuzu.

This allowed us to tap into a broader network of job seekers.

We also posted tailored job ads that attracted candidates who aligned with Lucy’s company culture.

4. Prioritizing Candidate Experience.

We knew that the best hires would come from candidates who felt valued and supported throughout the process.

We provided candidates with clear updates and honest feedback, something Lucy mentioned her previous agencies had failed to do.

For one candidate, we revamped their CV and coached them for the interview—a service that impressed Lucy when she saw the candidate’s professionalism.

5. Offering Affordable, Transparent Pricing

Instead of charging Lucy a percentage of the candidate’s salary, we proposed a subscription model tailored to her hiring needs.

For a fraction of what she’d paid other agencies, Lucy subscribed to a three-month package that covered her recruitment needs comprehensively.

The Outcome:

A Win-Win Solution Lucy’s firm successfully hired three key employees in less than two months. Here’s what she gained:

Cost savings: Her recruitment costs dropped by 40%, freeing up funds for employee training and development.

Better hires: By focusing on cultural fit, the new hires blended seamlessly into the team.

A partnership for the future: Lucy now has access to our ongoing support for any future hiring needs.

Her words? "This is the kind of recruitment partnership we’ve been looking for. Affordable, efficient, and personalized to our needs."

What We Learned and How We’re Improving Recruitment for Everyone

Lucy’s story taught us that listening, adapting, and innovating are key to transforming recruitment in Kenya. Inspired by her feedback, we’ve made these improvements to our process:

1. Onsite Visits: Before every recruitment, we immerse ourselves in the employer’s work environment to truly understand their needs.
2. AI-Powered Efficiency: We use technology to lower costs and find the best candidates faster.
3. Collaborations with Job Boards: Partnering with established platforms gives us access to a broader, higher-quality candidate pool.
4. Candidate-Centered Approach: We ensure every job seeker feels valued, supported, and prepared for opportunities.
5. Affordable Pricing Models: Transparent and flexible pricing ensures businesses of all sizes can access top recruitment services.

Are you ready to lower your recruitment costs while improving the quality of your hires? Whether you’re an employer or job seeker, we’re here to make the process simpler, smarter, and more rewarding.

Contact Us Today (Email: [email protected]) to Learn More About Our Process

Lucy’s story is just one example of how we’re transforming recruitment in Kenya. By combining technology with a human touch, we’re creating a system where businesses save money, candidates feel empowered, and everyone wins.

Let’s rewrite your recruitment story together.