SETTING UP A NEW BUSINESS DURING A WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC...GOOD OR BAD IDEA?

This has been a hot topic of conversation in the past few months with new potential clients. We have received mixed reviews about setting up a new business during a worldwide pandemic and several national lockdowns and even though they were MIXED REVIEWS, I would agree with every single one!

BUT...….Don't you think it will be difficult during a pandemic?

YES!! Running any business is difficult but with COVID-19 restrictions in place, it has been even more difficult. As we are a "CONSTRUCTION SPECIFIC" recruitment business/agency, we have been extremely lucky in this respect as 85% of construction is operating as usual.

A staggering 9% of the UK population work in construction and it is one of the biggest economies in Great Britain. If construction closed, the UK economy would take a serious knock and it would be hard to come back from it.

I thought this is the perfect time to set up a new recruitment company as others may take a back seat and we can then capitalise on this and start making a name for ourselves in their absence.

BUT...….What if things continue like this for another 12 months?

Again, as daunting as that thought might be you cannot live your life on "WHAT IF'S". What if we didn't set up and our clients started working with a new company that did?

….Would you kick yourself?

In business, you have to take chances, opportunities, risks etc. It is these that "MAKE OR BREAK" your business and if things do continue for another 12 months, we will deal with every obstacle along the way as professionals.

BUT...….have companies got money to spend on recruitment at the moment?

YES!! The construction industry is thriving and always will be. The construction output in the UK is more than ￡110 billion per annum and contributes 7% of GDP.

Construction companies plan and include this in their budget as workload and timelines change on a daily basis. Whether they require a Commercial Director on a permanent basis or temporary Blue Collar trades for a final push on a project, this cashflow will be available on request.

I agree, not all firms will be taking on as many projects as they usually do and may be managing just fine but you have to take into account sicknesses which in the current climate have increased dramatically due to the COVID-19 outbreak. There are also the usual statistics you have to consider as accidents do occur a lot more frequently on a construction site.

• 81,000 workers suffering from work-related ill health (new or long-standing).
• 61,000 non-fatal injuries to workers each year
• There were an estimated 46,000 work-related cases of musculoskeletal disorder (new or long-standing), just less than 60% of all ill health in this sector
• There were an estimated 21,000 work-related cases of stress, depression or anxiety (new or long-standing), just over a quarter of all ill health in this Sector.

BUT...….Aren't you taking on too much all at once?

Even though managing 5 new businesses and 1 established business is a hefty challenge, we have a team dedicated to each of them or they are self serviced.

Yes the thought crossed my mind a few times and I can see why people may think it is too much, too soon but the realistic situation is that we are managing extremely well and all the businesses within the group are receiving a lot of interest and enquiries are coming in thick and fast and all clients expectations are being met and exceptional feedback has been received.

We aim to be the #1 construction specific outsource group in the UK by 2025.

Here are all the entities within the Excel Trade Group.

EXCEL RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS - RECRUITMENT

EXCEL TM GROUP - TELEMARKETING & LEAD GENERATION

TRADESMAN.CO - PROJECT MANGEMENT CRM PLATFORM

TRADE STUDIOS - MARKETING & BRANDING

CONSTRUCT-ACAST - PODCAST

EXCEL IT SERVICES - TECHNOLOGY & IT SUPPORT

BUT...….BUT NOTHING!!!

There are pro's and con's to setting up a business during these difficult times but it could possibly be the best decision you have ever made!

If you are sitting at home now on furlough, lost your job or have been made redundant because of the virus and have thought about setting up a business previously but never followed through with it, I strongly believe this is the right time to whip out the drawing board and put the business plan back into action.

I keep hearing people say they are bored and there's nothing to do at home but THERE IS PLENTY TO DO!

Keep a positive mindset and do something productive. Don't dwell on something you have no control over. Make a choice today that can change your tomorrow!!