SME Leadership Forum - October

Meeting Agenda

Join us for our SME Leadership Forum, a monthly interactive session designed exclusively for APSCo’s SME members.    

This is designed to help members build a strong and trusted peer network while creating a space for meaningful discussion. Each group is intentionally capped at 15 attendees to foster openness and a sense of community.

The event follows a balanced structure: starting with topic‑led insights, followed by an open discussion on member‑driven issues, which can be submitted in advance or raised on the day.

Sessions include a quick temperature check on business confidence to help identify shared challenges and shape future agendas, including the option to bring in subject experts in subsequent months based on collective need.

Members can raise issues and gain insights on a wide range of topics, including:

• APSCo services – understand how to make the most of your membership benefits, and signposting for specific services.
• Trusted Partner services – referrals, and exclusive discounts for APSCo members.
• Recruitment market trends – stay ahead with the latest updates and expert perspectives.
• Running a small business – get practical advice on overcoming challenges and driving growth.
  • Get updates on the latest operational thinking around the Employment Rights Act and Umbrella Regs
  • How to predict future revenue and encourage more consistent sales
  • Dealing with consultant performance issues
  • How to manage clients push back on rates
  • Coping with cashflow stress, and unpaid invoices
  • How can you free up your recruiters time for fee-earning engagement, using good processes, tech or AI tools so recruiters aren’t bogged down in
  • What can you do to ensure money spent on AI is effective, and the team believes in it
  • How you can add value to your clients who are wanting real advice and insight, not just CVs
  • Candidate management, attraction and retention
  • Understanding your client base, the white space, the roles that won’t close and refocusing your teams
  • Back office headaches – how to ensure good tech and processes support smooth running and less resource-heavy teams

 The format is informal, flexible and accessible, allowing you to join the conversation, share experiences, and seek guidance in a supportive environment. We do ask for a light commitment to attend reasonably regularly. Whether you’re looking for strategic advice or simply want to stay informed, this is your chance to engage with APSCo’s leadership and your peer group

Why Attend?

• Direct access to APSCo’s senior team
• Maximise the value of your membership
• Access to expert insights on group-led business challenges
• Practical knowledge from peers facing similar challenges
• A collaborative safe space to engage with your peer group

If you’re interested in joining a future SME Leadership Forum, simply register your interest and we’ll allocate you to a cohort. We’ll then be in touch with details of upcoming sessions and next steps.