Welcome back!

The recruitment industry is moving fast, and the best leaders are learning from each other. In this edition: celebrating the Talent Business Awards winners, practical tips on getting your agency recommended by AI search engines, and key takeaways from our Scale or Sale event. Whether you're planning your next move or simply staying sharp, there's something here for you. Enjoy!

TALENT BUSINESS AWARDS

Setting a New Standard for the Belgian Recruitment Industry in 2025

What a night! The 2025 Talent Business Awards was more than an awards show - it was a vibrant showcase of Belgium’s recruitment industry at its very best. From fierce competition and heartfelt speeches to spontaneous connections, the energy in the room reflected how much this sector is evolving.

Every staffing company that stepped forward, whether finalist or winner, played a vital role in raising the bar for our industry. Congratulations to all agencies, teams, and leaders who dared to showcase their vision, embrace progress, and celebrate excellence together. Thank you for your energy, innovation, and commitment to shaping the future of staffing and recruitment.

Want to relive the night? Dive into the highlights and see the excitement on every face: check out the pictures!

Ready to be part of next year’s story? Don’t miss your chance to join the movement shaping Belgium’s future: join the waitlist for 2026 edition!

LIVESTREAM 27 NOVEMBER - 11:00

Make Your Agency Visible in AI Search: Join Our Free Webinar

Struggling to make your recruitment agency visible in AI-powered searches? You're not alone. Join our upcoming 45-minute webinar and discover why ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI might not be recommending your agency - and what you can do to fix it. Two senior SEO experts will demystify Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), sharing real case studies, actionable tips, and strategies to boost your agency's authority online. You'll walk away with a clear plan to get your agency cited, recommended, and hired in the age of AI search.

SCALE OR SALE

The M&A Conversations Every Staffing Agency Leader Needs to Have

Our Scale or Sale event brought together 40 staffing agency owners & executives - and the energy in the room was electric. We gathered to tackle the conversation most avoid until it's too late: what does it really take to exit successfully, and how do you prepare when you're still years away from selling? The standout moment came when Brecht De Mey (CEO Copus Group) laid out the fundamental tension in every M&A negotiation - you either set the price or dictate the terms, but rarely both. That reality check sparked nodding heads across the room, especially from Bert Pauwels (CEO Pauwels Solutions Group) and Olivier Saverys, who know firsthand how deals actually get done. The message was clear: preparation isn't something you start when a buyer shows interest. It starts now, with clean financials, a leadership team that doesn't need you in every decision, and a story investors can believe in.

After the panel wrapped, we broke into smaller groups to dig into the messy realities - preparing your agency for sale, surviving the chaos of tech integrations post-acquisition, and avoiding the cultural disasters that tank promising deals. These weren't surface-level discussions - leaders shared challenges and lessons learned.

For many, the real highlight was the sense of community - knowing you're not alone when making tough calls or chasing big dreams. The market may be tougher than it was five years ago, but the smart money is on those who are building exit-ready businesses today, not scrambling tomorrow.

Exploring a potential exit or acquisition in the staffing industry?

Thanks for reading Talent Business Insights!

This newsletter exists to help recruitment leaders navigate real challenges with proven insights. We'd love to hear from you: What topics should we tackle next? What challenges are keeping you up at night? Hit reply and share your thoughts - your feedback shapes future editions.

With enthusiasm for what's ahead,

Jeroen Van Ermen
Founder - Talent Business Partners