Staffing solutions

Since its inception in 1994, Antal has placed executives in over 75 countries and offers employment to thousands of people. Doug Bugie, CEO, Antal International Network shares the expansion plans and aspirations of his company in India. He would be gracing the Seventh International Franchising and Retail Show by Franchise India Holdings Limited being held on November 26th and 27th at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi, where he would be imparting knowledge to the franchisors, franchisees as well as the aspiring entrepreneurs.

Abha Garyali (AG): Tell us something about the origin, growth and success of ‘Antal International network’? When, where and how did it originate?

Doug Bugie (DB): Antal started operations in 1994. It entered franchising about five years ago. Tony Godwin, the founder of the company was the first one to set-up a recruitment agency in Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland, Hungary). Antal has successfully penetrated the developing as well as developed economies and feels very comfortable and confident. This is why we are very optimistic about expanding in India. In Russia, Poland and now in China, Antal has surged to the leadership position in recruiting and is the fastest growing recruitment company in the world today.

AG: From where did you get the inspiration to opt for franchising as a mode of expansion?

DB: Tony Goodwin, the founder of Antal International felt that franchising could be a great way to expand his successful business. He and I got together to drive the business forward via franchising.

AG: What is the USP of Antal International network?

DB: We share assignments which include job openings and information throughout the world. . Every assignment completed is publicly seen by the entire network on our global database of over 50,000 successfully completed assignments.  This culture for sharing ideas and mutual support with one another as owners around the world is our greatest strength.

AG: What qualities do you look in prospective franchisees for your company?

DB:

• The ability to attract new employees to the business and to motivate them by enabling them to understand the ethos of our business.
• Strong work ethic is a 'must have'.
• The prospective franchisee must possess intellectual and communications capacity as the owner and recruiters would be dealing with top level decision makers and the candidates placed into jobs are themselves highly successful.

AG: What all training and support do you provide to the franchisees?

DB: We provide our franchisees an initial training programme, leadership development, administration, recognition of excellence, financial and IT support as well.

AG: What are your future plans in terms of expanding through franchising?

DB: It has been more than a decade in this business and we intend to grow to a leadership position. We also plan to open more than 100 offices in next several years.

AG: What are the challenges that can be faced by a franchisee in this business? How can they overcome these challenges?

DB: The new franchisee have to be focussed on planning and execution of the sale strategy to inform decision makers about the Antal service offering--there is no simple short cut, one has to be planned and active. Franchise owners stumble while taking short cuts and not using the system properly. We are used to this and normally work closely with them to overcome this and move to higher ground.