More recruitments, more returns

In a span of five years Antal International Network, a recruitment firm has been able to have a strong foothold internationally and across India. In a tête-à-tête with Ekta Verma, Joseph Devasia, Managing Partner, Antal International Network shares his brand’s inception, journey and expansion plans.

Tell us about Antal International.

Antal International Network is a global Executive Recruitment firm combining permanent, temporary, interim and contract recruitment solutions. Launched in 1993 by Tony Goodwin, Antal International is headquartered in London.  Antal today has over 130 offices in 35 countries and is the fastest growing privately owned recruitment organization all over the world especially in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Share with us the inception, success and journey of Antal.

In the initial years Antal offices were present in the UK, Poland, Hungary and Russia and by 1997 there were Antal offices in Italy, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. In around 1998, Antal International joined the Asian market by opening a mainland office in Beijing, China. Through 2003 – 2006, Antal International strengthened its European presence by opening offices in Croatia, France, Romania and Bulgaria. Antal International entered the Indian market in late 2006. Being the first franchisee in India, I established business in Jan 2007. Antal realised immediately that this was a goldmine waiting to be explored, hence in late 2008; Doug Bugie who was then the CEO at Antal International Network floated the idea of franchising further in India and suggested that I could enter into a JV with Antal to help expand its footprints further in the Indian recruitment industry. Since then began Antal’s journey of franchising in India and over the years, we have been able to establish 35+ successful franchisees. In a span of five years, Antal has established offices in more than 13 cities across India, filling nearly 600 business critical vacancies in 2012.

Share the USP of your brand.

Our USP is that we offer recruitment business with comprehensive induction training for two and a half weeks along with access to nearly 20 years of IP (intellectual property), total transparency and access to all of our global clients with whom business has been done before – around 60,000 records and a network of colleagues and peers who proactively share clients, candidates and fees. Antal International helps individuals own a unique brand, develop meaningful business relationships and attract affluent clients.

What kind of business model do you offer?

Antal International operates a joint venture in India along with its most successful franchisee in India.  This joint venture offers professionals with a successful track record to buy an Antal franchise and set up their own recruitment operation. Antal would consider operating via the Area Development route for each state/region in India.

Where do you see the brand in five years?

Antal International is the fastest growing privately owned recruitment organization all over the world especially in Europe, Asia and Africa. We plan to franchise our network to 600 offices over six continents within the next seven years. Keeping with the Antal entrepreneurial spirit, we always think how to optimise our position in the global market. We are relentless in our development of the Antal International unique culture of sharing information, knowledge and experience around the globe.

We officially launched our office in Mexico this year, which will cover all Central America regions. We are also going to open more offices in South East Asia, South America and Australia - where the economies are large, sophisticated and systemic. In India, we are looking forward to a pan-India expansion especially in tier II cities. We are looking at opening at least 20 new Antal offices in India in the next year.

What according to you is the scope for aspiring franchisees in this business? Is the future bright in the years to come?

The recruitment industry is witnessing a paradigm shift. Today clients need specialist recruitment partner to help them find the best people for specific roles. Recruitment business today is all about right positioning in the industry as an industry expert at an influencing level with the decision makers. Hence, there is a huge demand of experienced recruitment experts who can train and mentor experienced professionals to utilise their industry knowledge and experience by placing the them at right places.

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