Elena Volk is a speaker, entrepreneur, blogger, and author of business articles. She has over 8 years of experience running businesses, including an IT recruitment agency and an online school for IT recruiters. Elena also helps others start working for themselves through mentorship.
The past year has been a breakthrough for our IT recruiting agency, EvoTalents: we doubled our turnover. This was a significant leap compared to the steady 10-20% annual growth we had experienced before. What changed? How did we achieve such results? Here are the key lessons and insights that enabled our quantum growth.
Goals and decomposition: The first step to growth
At the start of 2023, we set an ambitious goal: double our turnover. Initially, the team admitted they thought it was unrealistic, but this goal gave us focus.
We immediately broke the goal into smaller tasks, creating a detailed decomposition. While plans often evolve, this breakdown helps the brain accept the possibility of achieving a big target.
One of our first steps was preparing for growth. For instance, we automated the onboarding process for new hires to ensure that expanding the team wouldn't compromise efficiency.
Embracing challenges and opportunities
In the second month of the year, a client approached us with an unusual request: to build an outstaffing team of three recruiters and three sourcers. At the time, our own team was smaller than the requested size.
We accepted the challenge. Within a month, we onboarded six new people, integrated them into our processes, and aligned them with the client’s needs. It was a high-stress period for the entire team, with moments when it felt like everything could collapse.
The result? We filled over 50 positions for this client, including relocating specialists to Cyprus. This achievement marked a new level for us.
Mindset and metaprograms: The key to a quantum leap
During this challenge, I began working with an exponential coach. This helped me identify metaprograms (repetitive thinking patterns) that influenced my business decisions.
True growth requires not only strategy shifts but also inner transformation. During this time, I delved deeper into spiritual development and balancing intuition with business processes.
Personal branding: A growth driver
Money flows through people. The more high-quality connections you have, the faster you grow. That’s why I actively develop my personal brand on LinkedIn. It attracts clients and partners who share our values.
Investing in personal branding is one of the most powerful moves a leader can make. It’s not just about reputation; it’s about opening doors to new opportunities.
A strong team: The foundation of quantum growth
One of our core principles is hiring people who are stronger than us. A year ago, we onboarded a COO with extensive experience who helped restructure many processes.
We also prioritize hiring top-tier recruiters and sourcers. This enables us to tackle the toughest vacancies for clients and adapt quickly to challenges.
Learning and mentorship: A fast track to goals
There are always people who have achieved what we aspire to. Learning from them can significantly shorten the path to success.
I regularly invest in education and work with mentors. This not only accelerates business growth but also unveils new perspectives.
Analyze successes and scale them
When you see something that works, scale it. We discovered that outstaffing recruiters has huge potential. Today, we’re actively focusing on this niche.
This approach allows us to attract fast-growing companies and build strong expert teams for them.
Closing thoughts: The journey of growth continues
Quantum growth is about ambitious goals, the right mindset, teamwork, and systemic development. It’s about embracing challenges and adapting strategies.
Our experience shows that the path to great results requires courage, discipline, and belief in yourself. And this is just the beginning; there are many more peaks ahead that we’re ready to conquer.
Read more from Elena Volk
Elena Volk, Founder & CEO of EvoTalents Recruiting Agency
Elena Volk founded the IT recruitment agency EvoTalents and the online school for IT recruiters, EvoTalents.School.
8 years ago, she made one of the most challenging but best decisions of her life — to leave her job, move to London, and start working for herself, first as a freelancer and later as an entrepreneur.
Over these years, she built a team and established an agency that is now among the top IT recruitment agencies in Ukraine.
