tomdunn was launched with the specific ideal of being an ‘ethical business’ – from working with clients in an ethical way, such as fixed fees, to becoming officially recognized as operating ethically i.e. by attaining ‘carbon neutral’ status from The Carbon Neutral Company (CNC) and the Edinburgh Centre for Climate Management (ECCM).

Recognition of tomdunn’s approach came from The Green Organisation (www.thegreenorganisation.info) who presented a ‘Green Apple’ award in November 2006 and a ‘Green Hero’ award in June 2007 for environmental best practice. With its parent company committed to the same ideals, the Career Prospects group switched its electricity supply to ‘green’ energy; committed to use recycled paper where required and utilized its ‘Evolve’ IT system enabling ‘paperless’ communication with clients and candidates alike.

A unique feature of tomdunn’s business has been in developing a network of consultants away from the conventional ‘bricks-and-mortar’ recruitment agency models. With its IT and mobile technology infrastructure, tomdunn has consultants across the UK supported by a central ‘hub’ at Brierley Hill.

Clients receive the same high-level of support one expects from a Career Prospects division, yet tomdunn is able to operate its business respecting the environment as consultants are home-based.

This unique approach extends further in to service delivery. Candidates are interviewed face-to-face at the short-list stage but rigorous pre-selection is undertaken optimizing tomdunn's mobile technology – interviews are conducted via telephone thereby saving unnecessary travel (and carbon emissions) from candidates who are clearly unsuitable for short-listing.

This approach speeds the pre-selection process as interviews can be undertaken at any time of day. As candidates do not need to travel, their diaries become far more accommodating.

Stuart Thomas, head of tomdunn said, “Meeting face-to-face is important as you learn so much about a candidate. Our unique approach to pre-selection is immensely powerful – one example of this was when we completed an assignment for a major insurance branded business in just 6 weeks… and that had the Christmas holiday in between too!”

There is another unique advantage to this – an approach endorsed by a leading firm of solicitors. By not physically seeing candidates at the pre-selection stage, the process is ‘absolutely fair’ as each candidate is assessed purely upon their skills, experience and suitability to the role.

On to the key question - does tomdunn’s environmental stance ‘work’ commercially? It is clear opportunities are presenting for the Career Prospects group that would not have otherwise, relationships are being strengthened and clients new and old appreciate and value the approach.

For example;

• The government’s Minister of State for Climate Change and Environment in the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the Environment stating the group was an exemplar of best practice following a meeting with Sean Mulligan and Stuart Thomas.

• The West Bromwich Building Society stating the group’s plant-a-tree initiative to be very much in tune with their own values and supporting their drive to be a good Corporate Citizen.

• Winning new business in a competitive tender simply because of tomdunn’s environmental credentials

• Talking to potential new clients as diverse as Marks & Spencer to the Conservative Party, organisations looking to enhance their own brand by working with like minded suppliers.

•Presenting at various forums to talk about the Career Prospects group approach

• Enjoying ‘free marketing’ such as radio interviews, press coverage and most notably being invited to act as a lead figure for ‘People Management’ magazine and the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development’s “HR Goes Green” campaign – a real coup

• Research shows the ‘green’ agenda is growing and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. ‘First mover’ advantage does present unique opportunities but ultimately a sustainable business model is only possible where it is based upon deeply held beliefs, like The Body Shop, for example. tomdunn is leading the way in the recruitment industry, supported by the vision of parent company Career Prospects.

To find out more about climate change and the environmental click on www.carbonneutral.com, www.stopclimatechaos.org or www.icount.orguk

Our ‘Green Heroes’ receive their Award.
Pictured (L-R): Detective Sergeant Mel Moore, Stuart Thomas and Amanda Dunkley from tomdunn and Dr David Bellamy.