Two Weeks in the Hive

My First Two Weeks of Madison Hive

Starting a new business, so I’ve heard, is always an exhilarating experience, filled with blue sky thinking and a few bumps along the road. My journey with Madison Hive, a recruitment company specialising in the real estate market, has proved to be no different. The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of new faces, intense learning, and building a brand that stands out, while at the same time, aligning with our sister companies. Here’s where I am on this journey…

New Beginnings: Embracing New Faces and Teams

Ok, yes, Madison Hive is a new business, comprising of a party of one.? But there are other companies I collaborate with in the form of The Madison Group.?

New colleagues, a new environment, and an entirely new team awaited me. I’ve found that open communication, listening, leaning on expertise (which is everywhere!), and an interest in getting to know my team members has been central to this.

Our team is a blend of seasoned professionals and fresh talent, each bringing unique perspectives and skills to the table. Establishing trust and fostering a culture of mutual respect was job one, and I’m thrilled to say that we’re off to a great start.

Yes, they’ve had to deal with my insatiable love of Liverpool Football Club but, that aside, the willingness to collaborate and answer my endless questions about thier perspective on the market has been first class.?

Learning the Intricacies of the Real Estate Market

First thing’s first, I’ve recruited in real estate before but one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced, so far, has been the deep dive into the intricacies of the real estate market and, subsequently, the way The Madison Group approach it. My background has been in HR, marketing, sales, finance, and retail, so understanding how these functions fit into real estate has been a unique experience. The nuances and complexities of this industry are vast. From understanding market trends to familiarising myself with key players and regulatory landscapes, the learning curve has been steep but I’m beginning to see the light.

Countless hours of research. Engaging in conversations with experts, clients, and candidates. These efforts have not only expanded my knowledge but have also helped me garner a clearer vision of how Madison Hive can carve out its reputation in this competitive market.

Staying abreast of market shifts and emerging trends is all part of my personal CPD, and I’m committed to ensuring our strategies remain relevant and impactful.

Branding and Website: Aligning with Sister Companies

Another significant aspect of these initial weeks has been working on our branding and website. Madison Hive is part of a family of companies, very much a family, and maintaining a consistent brand personality while distinguishing ourselves, has been a delicate balancing act. Our brand needed to resonate with the core values and aesthetics of our sister companies while also establishing our own unique voice and presence.

Collaborating with our design and marketing teams, we’ve focused on creating a brand that reflects our commitment to excellence, innovation, perspective, and integrity. Our website is a critical touchpoint for potential clients and candidates, and ensuring its user-friendly, informative, and visually appealing has been a top priority. Zoom calls late into the night, discussing strategy, reach, SEO, and designing logos for various digital tasks have been integral parts of this process. Then, of course, there are the future plans for the website, include adding more detailed pages on our services, client testimonials, and a blog to share industry insights.

Establishing Links with New Support Functions

In a new recruitment company, targeting candidates and potential client relationships is critical. Understanding that the people we hire don’t yet have our level of expertise and need guidance when establishing targets has been testing. Building a support structure that establishes clear communication channels has been a prerequisite. By providing the right support and resources, we’re ensuring our sourcing team is equipped to meet our goals of pace, passion, and precision, and grow alongside the company.

Systems and Technology: Built on Strong Foundations

Starting from scratch means making crucial decisions about systems and technology. From choosing the right CRM/ATS system to understanding which web domains to secure, the technical aspects have been far-reaching. We’ve evaluated various systems for capturing market and candidate data, setting targets, and managing pipelines. Ensuring compatibility with LinkedIn and securing the right licences have been part of this intricate puzzle. Booking tutorials and training sessions to maximise the potential of these systems has also been necessary.

There’s nothing like questioning the CRM provider for not having a LinkedIn function available when you may not have signed up to that function on the LinkedIn side.

Sigh…we move.

Finally, whilst this is all going on, you can’t forget the day-to-day operations of the business. Meeting candidates, engaging with clients (we’re busy with roles already), organising payroll, and handling invoicing are all part of the daily ‘to do’ list. Balancing strategic planning with operational responsibilities demands meticulous time management and prioritisation. Something which I’ve also had to get on top off.?

The first two weeks at Madison Hive have flown by, filled with ups and downs, trials, questions, and accomplishments. I’m a firm believer in making your own luck, and while there’s still a lot to learn, I’m excited about what the next two weeks, months, and years will bring.

The skyline of London and Britain is changing rapidly. If you’d like to be part of this exciting journey and begin a career in real estate, please get in touch with either me or the wider Madison Group.

Reach out to us at Madison Hive or contact me directly at [email protected] .

Here’s to many more milestones, encounters, and successes with Madison Hive!