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A Cautionary Tale of Recruitment Gone Wrong


In the annals of business history, few stories illustrate the dire consequences of a poor recruitment policy as starkly as the case of JJB Sports. Once a prominent retailer in the UK, JJB Sports found itself at the centre of a catastrophic crisis due to a deeply flawed recruitment strategy. This blog examines the lessons we can glean and underscores the pivotal role that a well-structured recruitment policy plays in the success of an organisation.


The JJB Sports Debacle: A Recap


In the early 2000s, JJB Sports, under the leadership of then-Director Chris Ronnie, embarked on an ambitious expansion spree, opening a multitude of stores across the country. However, their rapid growth was not matched by a strategic recruitment policy. The consequences were far-reaching and devastating.


Quantity Over Quality: JJB Sports' expansion drive led to a rapid and extensive hiring process. The company hired numerous employees without rigorous screening, leading to a workforce that was often ill-equipped to provide top-notch customer service.


Neglecting Comprehensive Training: A critical mistake was the company's failure to allocate resources for comprehensive training programs. Employees lacked essential product knowledge, struggled to assist customers effectively, and failed to create positive in-store experiences.


High Employee Turnover: The combination of subpar hiring decisions and lack of proper training resulted in alarming employee turnover rates. This not only escalated recruitment expenses but also dealt a blow to the company's reputation.


Erosion of Customer Satisfaction: The untrained and inexperienced staff members led to a sharp decline in customer service quality. This caused sales to plummet and the brand's reputation to suffer a significant blow.



Leadership Change and a Shift in Approach


In 2007, Keith Jones assumed the role of Director and immediately recognised the urgency of addressing the recruitment policy's shortcomings. Unfortunately, despite best efforts, the company went into administration in October 2012. Jones acknowledged the glaring issues with the recruitment policy, admitting that it was a key factor in the company's downfall. He stressed the significance of investing in the right people and offering them proper training to ensure the delivery of exceptional customer experiences. His vision was to overhaul the existing recruitment policy to focus on quality, training, and retention as key pillars of the business strategy.

Evergreen Lessons for the Future


The JJB Sports case is a stark reminder of the critical role that a well-structured and thoughtfully executed recruitment policy plays in an organisation's success. The following lessons are gleaned from this tumultuous journey:


  • Quality Must Never Be Compromised

  • Investing in Training is Non-Negotiable

  • High Turnover is a Red Flag

  • Employees are Brand Ambassadors


Adaptation in Recruitment is Key

A well-crafted recruitment policy acts as the cornerstone of an organisation's success, driving growth, innovation, and customer satisfaction.


At eRecruitSmart, we're committed to helping businesses shape their futures through advertising on all the highest traffic job boards and presenting you with the most candidates the market has to offer.


With screening services, psychometric profiles and skills testing on offer, your next recruit could make all the difference to your company.





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