The Retained Search Show

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This is the show for ambitious recruiters who want to win and deliver retained searches with confidence. Expect real stories, proven strategies, and insights you can actually use.

  1. From Traditional Exec Search to Multi‑Million Retained Deals with Blaine Daws

    FEB 24

    From Traditional Exec Search to Multi‑Million Retained Deals with Blaine Daws

    What if the process for hiring a data center technician isn’t so different from hiring a CEO? In this episode, we sit down with Blaine Daws, co‑founder of WNTD, to unpack how a specialist firm launched two weeks before lockdown and still went on to build multi‑million retained partnerships at the heart of AI infrastructure. The through‑line is sharp: act like an advisor, not an order taker, and anchor everything to outcomes your clients can measure. Blaine explains why many classical search firms miss the mark - global handoffs, legacy methods, and a reliance on brand over real market depth. He flips the script with SLAs tied to delivery (not meetings) and a discovery process that surfaces the real problem before proposing a solution. We dig into the questions that win trust fast: why the role exists, what’s failed so far, what competitors are paying, and what “good” looks like in a defined timeframe - plus the courage required to qualify out. Saying no to 70% of opportunities isn’t arrogance; it’s what protects outcomes and keeps focus on partners who value accountability. From the first retained win to a full build‑out, Blaine shows how organizational design unlocks scale: mapping the next 12–36 months of hiring, sequencing roles across regions and levels, and aligning diversity goals with the actual talent supply. We also break down the “engine” behind consistent delivery - specialist teams, evolving tools, certifications, and a tech stack that increases precision without diluting the human conversation. In a market where one hiring mistake can cost billions, this is how retained search earns its seat. You’ll leave with concrete takeaways on how to sell and deliver retained beyond the C‑suite, when to introduce SLAs, how to kill the “purple squirrel” with data, and how to turn a single search into a program without sliding into generic RPO. ___ Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/ Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/ Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/ ___ LinkedIn Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/ Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/ Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

    52 min
  2. Personal Branding, Cold Calling & Cutting Through the Noise - with David Wolstenholme

    FEB 10

    Personal Branding, Cold Calling & Cutting Through the Noise - with David Wolstenholme

    Personal branding gets talked about a lot in recruitment but very few people explain what actually works… and what quietly destroys your credibility. In this episode of The Retained Search Show, we’re joined by David Wolstenholme, founder of BrandMeBetter and one of the earliest voices in personal branding for recruiters. We go deep on: Why personal branding is now a must, not a “nice to have”The biggest mistakes recruiters make on LinkedIn (including engagement pods 👀)Why most recruitment content fails to stand out and what the top 1% do differentlyHow strong personal brands actually support business development and retained searchThe real relationship between cold calling, branding, and trustWhere AI fits (and where it absolutely doesn’t)Why great recruitment hasn’t changed and never willThis is an honest, funny, occasionally brutal conversation about visibility, credibility, and how recruiters can stop blending in online and start being trusted before the first call even happens. If you’re serious about retained search, influence, and long-term client relationships, this one’s a must-listen. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandmebetter/ ___ Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/ Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/ Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/ ___ LinkedIn Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/ Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/ Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

    48 min
  3. Why Recruit CRM Gets 4.9 Stars: Customer Success, AI, and Scaling a Recruitment Business (with Sean Mallapurkar)

    JAN 27

    Why Recruit CRM Gets 4.9 Stars: Customer Success, AI, and Scaling a Recruitment Business (with Sean Mallapurkar)

    In this episode, Louise sits down with Sean Mallapurkar, Founder & CEO of Recruit CRM - one of the highest-rated ATS/CRM platforms in recruitment - to unpack what actually drives product love in a crowded market. Sean shares why most vendors obsess over features while overlooking the real differentiator: customer success and onboarding. We dig into how Recruit CRM built a sub-1-minute support experience (human response averaging ~40 seconds), how AI is now handling a large portion of support tickets, and why “built post-AI” is often more marketing than reality. We also zoom out into what Sean is seeing across markets (US, UK, Germany), why recruitment is increasingly splitting between automated/offshored delivery vs high-value retained work, and what it really means to move up the value chain. In this episode you’ll learn: Why customer success beats feature warfare in recruitment techHow AI is changing ATS workflows (and what’s hype)What’s happening in US/UK/EU recruitment markets right nowWhy the “move up the value chain” conversation matters more than everPractical ideas to reduce admin drag and scale delivery___ Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/ Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/ Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/ ___ LinkedIn Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/ Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/ Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

    47 min

  4. JAN 13

    Retained vs Executive Search: Why Interest Is Surging (and Many Recruiters Are Confused)

    Search interest in retained and executive search has exploded, but most recruiters still don’t really understand the difference. In this episode, we unpack: Why searches for retained and executive search have quadrupled and what’s driving the shiftThe real difference between retained search and executive searchWhy calling everything “executive search” can quietly kill opportunitiesWhat actually changes in delivery, assessment, and rigour at senior levelsHow recruiters are moving from contingent → retained → C-suite without burning bridges or blowing up their pipelineWhy trying to jump straight to six-figure mandates usually backfiresThe mindset, behaviours, and client conversations that unlock bigger fees over timeThis is an honest, experience-led conversation about what it really takes to move up the value chain without pretending to be something you’re not. If you’re a recruiter asking: “How do I win higher-value work?”“How do I break into executive search without faking it?”“Why does retained feel easier once you get it right?”…this episode is for you. 🎧 Subscribe, share with someone who needs to hear it, and start 2026 with a clearer path to bigger, better search work. ___ Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/ Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/ Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/ ___ LinkedIn Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/ Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/ Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

    33 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    The Slow Death of Contingent Recruitment: Simon Lewis on Communities, Collaboration & 2026

    In the final episode of 2025, Louise sits down with RecConnect founder Simon Lewis to unpack what’s really coming for the recruitment industry in 2026 and why traditional contingent perm is on a slow, silent death march. Simon shares his unconventional journey from Sunday Times journalist to IT recruiter, to job board owner, to community builder for recruitment leaders. Drawing on conversations with hundreds of agency owners and economists, he explains why this moment is the most radical shift recruitment has seen in decades and why those clinging to “business as usual” are in trouble. They dive into: Why contingent perm is shrinking fast (and what will replace it)How retained, project and subscription models create space for real consultancyWhy human connection, not automation, will be your competitive edge in 2026The power of communities and shared experiences in transforming leaders, not just businessesOld-school tactics that are suddenly working again (think handwritten notes and real-life lunches)The one word Simon says should define your strategy next year: collaborationIf you’re a recruiter or recruitment leader wondering how to evolve, protect your margins and actually enjoy the next cycle, this episode is your roadmap. 🎧 Listen now, share it with a recruiter who needs a wake-up call for 2026, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next. ___ Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/ Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/ Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/ ___ LinkedIn Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/ Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/ Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

    45 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    Retainers Done Right: Why ‘Filling the Role’ Isn’t the Promise, But Success Is

    Fresh off a round-the-world sprint (and a brutal back recovery), Louise Archer and Jordan Taylor tackle the biggest myth in retained search: that taking a fee upfront means you’re guaranteeing a fill.  They reframe retained as a governed process that delivers certainty, not luck-especially on those “nightmare” briefs everyone avoids. You’ll hear the surgeon analogy that flips risk on its head, where retained doesn’t make sense, and the exact moves to close stalled projects without becoming a nag. Plus, real wins from the community-first retainers, repeat mandates, and pipelines built on trust, not chance-and a reminder to apply the same discipline to self-care as you do to delivery. You’ll learn: How to sell retained without promising an outcome you can’t controlThe delivery governance clients actually pay for (and how to show it)When to avoid retainers How to diagnose “do they really need this now?” and close stalled dealsWhy diligent recruiters who care win most in a retained modelThe mindset and self-care rituals that keep founders sharp and decisiveIf this episode hits home, share it with a recruiter who’s still gambling on contingent-and hit follow so you never miss the strategies that actually move the needle. ___ Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/ Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/ Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/ ___ LinkedIn Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/ Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/ Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

    46 min
  7. The Future of Exec Search Data: Memory First, Admin Last with Jordan Shlosberg

    11/11/2025

    The Future of Exec Search Data: Memory First, Admin Last with Jordan Shlosberg

    We sit down with Jordan Shlosberg, founder & CEO of Atlas, to unpack how an AI-native, memory-driven CRM is changing the way executive search firms win work and deliver. Jordan shares the journey from building an expert network to architecting Atlas’s “remember-everything” engine, why retrofitting old CRMs with AI won’t cut it, and how features like Magic Search and BD signal tracking turn every conversation into a competitive edge. You’ll learn: Memory as a moat: Why storing everything your firm hears, says, reads, and writes becomes your most defensible advantage and how it powers evidence-rich pitch decks and shortlists.Magic Search in action: Find “a CEO who loves Pearl Jam” and surface context from calls, emails, and chats without leaving your database.Zero-admin BD: Automated tracking of outreach, replies, and next steps with daily “what to focus on” guidance and dynamic heat scoring.Exec search vs. contingent: Building for white-glove depth and speed -  present like an exec search firm, even on contingent timelines.Adoption playbook: Practical ways to drive AI usage (yes, incentivise it), and why your team should be in ChatGPT/Claude as a bare minimum.Migration truths: What it really takes to move CRMs, why the pain is overblown, and why waiting gets costlier when competitors go AI-native.Compliance posture: Legitimate interest, consent controls, and one-click deletion - designing flexible workflows for GDPR-sensitive environments. (Not legal advice.)Revenue per head lens: How Atlas prioritises features that measurably increase billing beyond shiny demos.Team & build philosophy: Why a larger engineering org (and ruthless feedback loops: “tell us what you hate”) shapes a better product, faster.About Jordan Shlosberg Founder & CEO of Atlas. Previously built an expert network business from scratch to significant scale; early to applied AI in search and knowledge retrieval; product thinker obsessed with turning conversations into searchable, reusable firm intelligence. If you’re pitching major mandates in the next quarter, this conversation might change how you prep your deck and run your search. Subscribe, share with a fellow search leader, and tell us what you want covered next: team@retainedsearch.com ___ Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/ Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/ Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/ ___ LinkedIn Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/ Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/ Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

    46 min
  8. 25,000 Competitors. 350 Million People: James Ward on Scaling Leadership R2R in the US

    10/28/2025

    25,000 Competitors. 350 Million People: James Ward on Scaling Leadership R2R in the US

    What if the best path to growth is doing more with less? We sit down with James Ward, founder of Clarity R2R, to unpack how a leadership-focused, values-driven R2R firm can scale in the United States without chasing headcount. From Manchester beginnings to a Miami base, James explains why a less saturated US market - with around 25,000 staffing firms serving 350 million people - creates space for specialist search across technology, life sciences, and financial services. We get candid about hiring mistakes, the cost of premature ops hires, and the moment a management coach forced a hard reset on vision and values. James breaks down his operating spine - outbound searches for billing manager to board level, principals placed by referral, not volume. He shares how he qualifies clients for retained work, when exclusive beats contingent, and how to decide when a full search process is truly needed. Expect practical insights on: Building a lean A-team that outbills larger firmsUsing deposits to protect focus and forecast revenueWhat top recruiters want from employers todayWhy being on the ground still matters in US expansionIf you’re exploring retained search or considering a US move, this is your playbook on client selection, capacity management, and building a high-performance culture. ___ Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/ Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/ Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/ ___ LinkedIn Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/ Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/ Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

    51 min
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About

This is the show for ambitious recruiters who want to win and deliver retained searches with confidence. Expect real stories, proven strategies, and insights you can actually use.

Information

  • Creator
    Retrained Search
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Retained Search Show
  • Show Website
    The Retained Search Show

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