TGt Meets... Danny Kimber, Founder & CEO of Responsive Personnel

We've been speaking to Danny Kimber, founder and CEO of Responsive Personnel to find out what it's like to be a Business Leader in Swindon.

Describe your job role...

Responsive Personnel was set up in October 2014 in what is a very competitive market place so no one day is ever the same in recruitment. My day can consist of taking candidates to work, client meetings, sales visits and mentoring and developing the team we have at Responsive Personnel. Working with our clients to support their growth and recruitment plans is one of satisfaction to know we are supporting candidates on the next step of their career paths.

Planning and preparation forms a big part of my role as we are always looking at ways of developing the services we offer to ensure we are well positioned against our competitors.

What’s your favourite aspects of your position?

Watching the business grow over the past 18 months has been both rewarding and challenging at times but every day I learn something new and this is an area that motivates me. The flexibility and freedom that comes with having your own business also has its perks.

What are your next steps for you in your career?

With the success of our Swindon office we have cemented stable foundations which is allowing us to explore new branch locations in the UK. We have been supporting one of our clients with a new warehouse facility in St Helens over the past few months so this could be a region to explore further. Training and development is an area that we are keen on developing as by adding further skill sets to candidates it enhances their options when seeking a new role.

What’s your biggest achievement to date?

With out a doubt launching Responsive Personnel was a very proud time and a huge achievement for me personally. I have been lucky enough to work with a number of inspirational people in my career that always believed in me and with their support came Responsive Personnel.

How do you spend your free time?

Family and football form a big part of my free time. With my family all living locally I get to spend time with our nieces and nephews.

Regular trips to London with my fiancée is a favourite of ours and trying to squeeze in as many Chelsea games as possible a season is always high on the agenda.

When faced with two equally-qualified candidates, how do you determine whom to hire?

This is an interesting questions and one that is relevant to our business model - Responsive Personnel’s mission statement is “Simply to find people and jobs that fit better together.” With that in mind we use a personality profiling system to understand what makes people tick and how they interact with other people. We are able to gauge how they would fit in the team and what a manager would need to do to get the best from them as individuals.

If faced with two equally qualified candidates, one question I would always ask is

“How do they fit within the culture of the company”

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

I would have to say “belief” - if you believe in yourself anything is possible.

Only you can make things possible, believe in yourself and keep moving forward to achieve your goals and never stand still.

What is the biggest challenge facing leaders today?

For me I would say recruiting the right team that have skills that compliment each other and share the same drive and determination to make a success of things as much as you.

What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Prepare for hearing the word “no” on a number of occasions before you find that person who wants to talk to you and build a business relationship with you. People buy from people so be true and honest to yourself.

You will need to sacrifice certain things and will face uncertain times but with the belief and drive to succeed then its well worth the effort and time.

Describe Swindon in 3 words...

Home, developing and competitive

Find out more about Responsive Personnel HERE!