The Carrot & Stick Podcast #31: Joe Bungey on Data, Consistency, and Long-Term Vision

Derry recently chatted with Joe Bungey, Operations Director at Mustard (they're a specialist creative recruitment agency), on the Carrot & Stick podcast. Joe's been with Mustard for a solid ten years, and his story is pretty cool – he started out studying architecture, somehow ended up in recruitment, and worked his way up to where he is now. The conversation was all about how Joe approaches managing a team, focusing on the long game, building good habits, and using data smartly.

Seeing the Big Picture (and the Small Steps)

Joe's a big believer in setting ambitious, almost scary-big goals – he calls them "big, hairy, angry goals." But it's not just about dreaming big; it's about breaking those huge goals down into manageable steps. He says this gives everyone a sense of purpose, even when things get tough and you don't hit every single target along the way. He stresses that regularly setting goals, and actually tracking how you're doing against them, keeps everyone accountable and feeling good about their progress.

Consistency: It's the Little Things

At Mustard, they're all about the "360 approach" to recruitment, meaning everyone does a bit of everything. Joe's mantra is "doing a little bit of the job every day." So, consultants are constantly switching between finding candidates, talking to clients, and building relationships. He says this keeps everyone's skills sharp and builds a really strong network, which is crucial, especially when the market gets unpredictable.

Data: Not Just Numbers, But Insights

Mustard doesn't just use data to track how many calls people are making. They use it to actually make smarter decisions. Joe talked about how they use data to create really persuasive proposals for clients, showing them they know their stuff before they even win the business. It's about proving you're a valuable partner, not just another agency.

Staying Flexible in a Shifting World

Joe didn't shy away from the fact that recruitment's been a bit of a rollercoaster lately. He pointed out the need for staying in the know regarding recruitment trends, whilst adapting plans when needed.