2 mins read
Ernest Hunter Green
Client: Ernest Hunter Green
Interviewee: Sue Palmer, Director
Sector: Professional Services, Banking & Financial Services, Real Estate & The Built Environment, TMT, Retail, Leisure & Hospitality
Company Size: 2-10
Migrated from: Bullhorn
The Challenge: When the Strategy Outgrows the Software
Ernest Hunter Green is a specialist Executive Search business. Since 2015, they have delivered senior mandates across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
As the business evolved, their strategy shifted heavily towards winning and delivering retained search projects. This is where their existing technology hit a wall. Retained search requires different workflows, deeper detail, and more specific reporting than standard contingency recruitment.
Sue Palmer, Director, realized their current tool was holding them back:
“It became clear that our existing CRM could not support the activities required for this type of work. It lacked the agility and versatility to grow with a smaller business more of a one-size-fits-all approach.”
They didn’t need a generic tool; they needed a system they could influence.
The Solution: A Partnership, Not a Purchase
Ernest Hunter Green chose Seven20 because they wanted to be architects of their own process. They didn’t just want to “buy” a CRM; they wanted to build a workflow that looked and felt right for Executive Search.
The implementation process became a strategic audit of the business.
“It was a good opportunity to take a step back and think about exactly WHAT we wanted and needed from the CRM.”
By utilizing Seven20’s flexible architecture, they mapped the system specifically to their retained search methodology, ensuring that the software followed the consultant’s natural workflow, rather than forcing the consultant to follow the software.
The Results: From “Retrospective Admin” to Real-Time Strategy
The impact of the new system has been cultural as well as operational.
1. Driving User Behavior with Dashboards
One of the biggest challenges in recruitment is getting consultants to use the CRM. By building bespoke dashboards that actually help the consultants (rather than just monitoring them), EHG changed team behavior.
“Using the dashboards has improved the system usage across the team rather than recording activity retrospectively.”
2. Visibility for Leadership
With accurate data coming in, the leadership team gained a clear view of the battlefield.
“We now have accurate, real-time insights that help us make better decisions and plan with greater confidence.”
3. Service That Anticipates Needs
For a boutique firm, support is critical. Sue highlights that the Seven20 team (specifically James Bright) operates more like a consultancy than a helpdesk.
“They deliver a personal service… often providing solutions to challenges we didn’t even realise we had.”
Sue’s Advice for Agencies Stuck with Rigid CRMs:
“Take the time to clearly define what you need from your CRM and don’t be afraid to look for a system that can grow with you. It’s worth investing in a platform that not only supports your consultants’ day-to-day but also provides leadership with clear, actionable insights.”
