Tailor-Made Success

An approach where there is no such thing as failure

When Laurent Girard-Claudon moved to Dublin, Ireland, from France, he saw other French people arriving there every day, and he recognized a problem: Companies didn’t know how to approach these candidates and the candidates didn’t know how to approach the businesses. So he created Approach People in 2000 to bridge that gap. “Most of our teams are actually expatriates in Dublin,” says HR and Operations Director Emilie Narcy, who has been with the firm for over 15 years after also moving to Dublin from France. “We’re from all over the world, and we are here to build our careers.”

Although Approach People had humble beginnings — Girard-Claudon started the firm in his bedroom — it has since expanded into six countries, placing candidates in a plethora of industries, including IT, marketing, engineering and fashion, for some of the world’s most well-known companies,  such as Apple, Nestlé and Amazon. But throughout their journey, staff and leadership at Approach People have never forgotten what drives their mission. “[Girard-Claudon] realized that his job actually enabled him to enjoy life and to change the lives of others,” Narcy explains. “So we’re going to change the lives of our candidates, of our employees, of our clients because we bring something else to the table, and that’s the DNA of Approach People.” By putting this mindset into practice, the firm has earned its reputation as a Best Staffing Firm to Work For.

Caring for Their Own

One way Approach People impacts the lives of its employees is by providing opportunities to tailor their position and to get on a specific career track based on their strengths and ambitions. Marketing and Communication Executive Mathilde Taton, another French immigrant who joined the company within the last year, says that the company’s willingness to design her role around her strengths and her previous work experience has helped her feel like she is truly cared for and appreciated. Leadership also invests in her by providing support as she learns and grows in her role. “If I do not succeed when working on a certain project, they don’t get angry,” she explains. “They ask, ‘What can we do to help you? How can we help you grow from this?’ There is no failure for anyone in the company.”

The company’s commitment to make employees feel important and valued doesn’t end with specialized career paths, promotions and training. The company embraces a hybrid work environment and has even opened new offices to accommodate employees who want to relocate. Narcy recalls a Dublin-based employee who wanted to move to southern France to be closer to his family when his wife became pregnant. Rather than lose a valued team member, Approach People opened an office near his town to ensure that the employee could continue with the firm. “We follow our employees,” Narcy explains. “The ones that have a vision that want to grow as well, we follow them.” This flexibility and willingness to move mountains for employees is evidence of Approach People’s loyalty to its staff, and in return, employees remain dedicated to the firm and its mission to provide the best possible service to clients and candidates, no matter where they are.

Providing for Their People

Approach People also shows its appreciation for its staff with more traditional benefits, including competitive pay, higher percentage raises, bonuses and other perks. Narcy understands that these benefits are crucial to retain top talent, adding with a chuckle, “You can only keep people for so long with [just] a pizza party.” Another favorite staff incentive is the company’s Prestige Club. “If you overachieve your target, we will give you a trip [worth] €3000 for two people in a paradise location,” Narcy says. “We don’t limit the number of these trips; anyone who meets that [goal] will get the trip.”

Leadership at Approach People understands that every person who works for them is an individual, and they make sure to treat every employee as such. “We’ve created different titles on the side to make sure that everybody can be recognized for their expertise, their hard work, their results. I’m very passionate about this company because everybody has an impact,” Narcy says proudly.

With their commitment to their internal employees top of mind, Approach People has exceeded the standards of a good employer. With their individual plans of advancement, their willingness to work with employees based on individual needs and the myriad ways they demonstrate their appreciation for their staff, Approach People has proven that they deserve the honor of being a Best Staffing Firm to Work For.