Carrot and Stick

We took Carrot & Stick on the road to the Recruitment Agency Expo 2026. We grabbed the mics, and asked 10 of the industry's sharpest leaders the same 5 questions — on top-biller habits, AI, the human touch, and how they'd start an agency today.Rapid-fire, honest answers, with Derry's take after each. The one thing they all came back to? Relationships.—🎙️ Hosted by Derry Holt, CEO & Co-Founder of OneUp Sales.👉 Enjoyed it? Follow the show and leave us a rating — it helps more recruiters find us.—OneUp Sales helps recruitment and sales teams make performance visible, motivating and repeatable — live leaderboards, competitions, dashboards and reporting in one place.Book a demo: https://oneupsales.com/request-a-demo—Timestamps:00:00 — Intro: why we did this01:06 — What habit would you take from a top biller and give to a rookie?05:55 — What's one thing about recruitment you hope NEVER changes?08:34 — What's one thing you hope DOES change?12:22 — What's the biggest challenge facing recruitment over the next 12 months?18:15 — What advice would you give someone starting an agency today?20:41 — Final thoughts#Recruitment #RecruitmentAgency #Sales #SalesLeadership

Can AI replace recruiters? Andy Hallett (Recspand, Recwired, ex-SThree) joins Derry Holt on the Carrot & Stick podcast to tackle this crucial question and much more. Andy, with over 25 years in recruitment, challenges conventional thinking and offers a practical roadmap for agencies navigating a rapidly changing landscape.Andy, a veteran of multiple recruitment cycles, shares his insights on how to build back differently after the recent boom and bust. He discusses the shift towards contract work, the implications of new UK employment laws, and the essential role of human connection in a world increasingly driven by data and automation. He is not afraid to share a controversial take on the future of recruitment. Learn why "just surviving" isn't a strategy, and how to build for sustainable growth, and discover practical strategies for leveraging data and AI to empower your recruiters, not replace them.About Andy Hallett:Andy Hallett has over 25 years of experience in the recruitment industry. He spent over two decades at SThree, a global recruitment firm, where he held various leadership positions, including Investment Director. He is currently the Managing Director of Recspand, a consulting firm that helps recruitment businesses grow and scale. He is also the co-founder of Recwired, a network for recruitment founders.Subscribe to the Carrot & Stick podcast for more insights on recruitment leadership, motivation, and performance!

Will Grashoff, Founder and CEO of OxSeven, joins Carrot & Stick for a candid conversation about the challenges and rewards of leadership in the recruitment industry. Will shares the mistakes he's made as a manager, the lessons he's learned about accountability and data, and his strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance while growing a successful business. Don't miss out on this insightful and entertaining episode! Subscribe to Carrot & Stick now and hit the notification bell so you don't miss future episodes. 🔔 #CarrotAndStick #RecruitmentPodcast #WillGrashoff #Leadership #Season3

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with James Osborne, Founder and CEO of The Recruitment Network, as he shares his unique perspective on the importance of personal purpose, the transformative power of empathy, and the ongoing revolution in the recruitment industry. Key Takeaways: Discover Your Purpose: Learn why understanding your personal purpose is crucial for success in sales and leadership. Empathy as a Sales Superpower: Discover how cultivating empathy can enhance your ability to connect with clients and candidates. Navigating the Recruitment Revolution: Gain insights into the evolving recruitment landscape, from the impact of AI to the changing workforce demographics. Optimization is Key: Hear James's advice on building a robust and adaptable recruitment business in the face of constant change.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Elaine Tyler, CEO of Venatrix, a specialist recruiter for fast-growth SaaS businesses. Elaine shares her journey from graduate to CEO, her secrets to building a high-performance culture, and her candid perspective on the challenges and rewards of leadership.

Join us in the vibrant city of Austin, Texas as we chat with Ross Fraser, Founder and CEO of Connecting Experts. Ross shares the inside scoop on Connecting Experts' strategic move into the United States, their unique approach to building high-performance teams, and the pivotal role of an "expectant culture."Don't miss out! Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Carrot & Stick.

In this episode of the Carrot and Stick podcast, Derry Holt sits down with Ashley Rice, a consultant with expertise in leadership, management, data, and analytics. With over 23 years of experience in the recruitment industry, Ashley shares his insights on what motivates people, with a focus on the evolving expectations of Gen Z in the workplace. They also delve into the critical role of data and analytics in driving sales performance and empowering managers to make informed decisions. Tune in for this insightful conversation on navigating the complexities of sales performance, management, and motivation in today's dynamic business landscape.

In this episode, recruitment expert Patrick Waites shares his first-hand experience of expanding his UK-based business into the US market. He reveals the unique challenges and opportunities he encountered, the strategies he used to overcome obstacles, and the lessons he learned along the way. Key takeaways: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the US recruitment landscape and how it differs from the UK. Learn how to navigate legal and regulatory requirements, cultural differences, and competitive dynamics. Discover effective strategies for building relationships with US clients and candidates. Get actionable advice on marketing your services, adapting your business model, and managing a remote team. Hear inspiring stories of resilience, perseverance, and ultimate success in the face of adversity. Whether you're a UK recruiter considering US expansion or simply curious about the challenges and rewards of international business growth, this episode is a must-listen.