We're Industry Experts First, Recruiters Second
Claire Smith - CEO - Voiceworks
The Recruitment Challenge
We were hiring for Sales Manager roles and hitting brick wall after brick wall. The market was full of old-school telco salespeople, stuck in a mentality from 20 years ago, and they just weren’t a fit for our business. We needed hungry, ambitious individuals who could adapt to a modern, consultative sales approach, more importantly being honest and transparent with customers, not just take an order and run.
These are critical hires. These roles were directly linked to our in-year performance. Every month without the right person in seat was a month of missed targets and lost momentum. Previous recruiters simply didn’t get it. They didn’t understand what we were really looking for, nor did they take the time to dig into the skills and culture fit that mattered. We weren’t looking for a stack of average CVs, we needed people who could deliver from day one.
What Made CSA’s Service Stand Out?
From the outset, CSA stood out because they genuinely understood the space. They weren’t guessing, they’d worked in the industry, trained many of the people they were putting forward, and had real insight into what ‘great’ looks like for us in today’s sales environment.
They didn’t just take our brief and run with it. They challenged us, asked smart questions, and helped us think differently about who might be a good fit. They weren’t afraid to push back if they thought we might be missing a hidden gem, and that made all the difference.
What’s more, CSA’s reputation in the industry is a magnet for quality candidates. People trust them, and they often know about top talent before they even hit the open market, giving us a real edge when new roles come up.
Tangible Results
The shortlist they provided was worlds apart from what we’d seen before. These were high-calibre, well-prepped candidates who not only ticked the boxes on paper but had the attitude, ambition, and adaptability we were after. We weren’t wasting time interviewing people who clearly weren’t a fit. The hires we made through CSA hit the ground running and have already started contributing to performance, and we’re already seeing a clear uplift in sales performance and team energy.
The Experience of Working With CSA
Working with CSA felt like having an extension of our team. They took the time to understand our culture and how we operate, and that really came through in the candidates they put forward. Communication was always clear, responsive, and honest. No fluff, just straight talking and quick action. They’re personable, focused, and genuinely lovely to deal with, but also highly professional and results driven. They made us feel like we were their only client, and that level of attention is rare.
Why We’d Recommend CSA
We’d absolutely recommend CSA, although deep down we would love to gatekeep so that we get an exclusive stream of available candidates.
What makes them different is their insider knowledge of the industry, their network, and their ability to identify real talent before anyone else does. They’re not just filling roles and bums on seats; they’re match making people to our business. If you want a recruiter who speaks your language, knows the market inside out, and actually delivers on their promises, CSA ticks all the boxes.
Claire Smith
CEO
Sam Giggle - MD - Nebula
Our work with The Channel Sales Academy
We had 2 positions to fill and Garys experience and knowledge of the UK telecoms market quickly proved invaluable when sourcing and identifying suitable candidates for Nebula.
We were using other recruiters who were not specialists and the quality of candidates was suffering which led to a slow and long drawn out process that was going nowhere.
The quality through Gary's efforts immediately improved and we were quickly able to identify more suitable candidates to put through our rigorous recruitment process.
We were recruiting in two key strategic sales roles to support our growth plans for FY25 and beyond, and had to get this right.
Ensuring we had the right mix of experience and knowledge to hit the candidates would have to hit the ground running in a fast paced and rapidly growing channel business.
The responsiveness to our requirements and attentiveness to our "wish list" early on left me feeling they knew exactly what we were looking for from a "good hire".
That and the steady flow of pre-screened suitable candidates only, and then the speed and efficiency to arrange interviews and set things up meant we were able to operate at pace in a rapidly changing situation and market to ensure we were able to take advantage of talking to the best people as they became available.
This led to two quickly identified candidates which we proceeded with, who have subsequently completed their respective probation periods and are valuable members of our channel sales team.
I would recommend The Channel Sales Academy if you are looking for serious candidates for your sales team with no hassle and no time wasting in a dynamic market.
Sam Giggle
MD – Nebula
James Routledge - CSO - Global 4
We began speaking with Gary May at Channel Sales Academy earlier this year, as we needed to scale our Business Development team quickly.
With ambitious targets set for the year, it was essential that we filled multiple BDM positions in a short space of time and got them right.
Previously, we’d had frustrations with recruiters who didn’t fully understand the industry or what makes a strong sales candidate. We often ended up with CVs that looked fine on paper but didn’t translate into performance.
The difference with Channel Sales Academy is clear. They understand exactly what kind of person is needed in these roles. They’ve done the job, they know the market, and they have the network to find people who genuinely fit. We didn’t need to waste time explaining what we were looking for, they got it immediately.
The shortlist they provided was strong across the board. Every candidate they submitted was a serious contender with no filler candidates. The BDMs we’ve hired through Channel Sales Academy are already showing promise: they’re active, engaged, and beginning to produce results.
Working with Gary and the team at Channel Sales Academy was straightforward and efficient.
Communication was clear, they were always available when needed, and their candidates arrived prepared and on time.
I’d recommend Channel Sales Academy because of their deep expertise in the telecoms and channel sales space, the professionalism they bring to the process, and the consistently high calibre of candidates they deliver.
James Routledge
Chief Sales Officer – Global 4
Sam Morton - COO - Enconvo
Finding the right talent in the telecoms industry can be a challenge, but Gary and the Channel Sales Academy made it look effortless.
The calibre of candidates they presented was outstanding, a true testament to Gary’s deep industry knowledge and thorough understanding of how telecom businesses operate.
Gary's background in the telecom sector meant he knew exactly what we needed—having been in the same role we're looking to fill. He pinpointed the essential skills required and, just as importantly, knew precisely where to find those who possessed them.
The candidates he delivered were not only top-level but were identified and introduced to us with impressive speed.
One candidate was so exceptional that we decided to promote them to "Director of New Business & Product" during the interview process itself!
Another candidate, who was given the position, got off to a flying start and was signing deals within a week.
What stood out during this process was the consistency and thoroughness of communication from Gary and his team.
We were kept in the loop every step of the way, which made the recruitment process not just efficient, but genuinely enjoyable.
Gary’s practical experience in the industry made him incredibly relatable, and his support, along with Claire’s, was invaluable.
I have complete confidence in recommending the Channel Sales Academy to anyone searching for exceptional sales professionals in our field."
Samantha Morton - COO - Enconvo
Award-Winning Industry Sales Training
What others have said
We had the pleasure of hosting Gary May and the Channel Sales Academy for a two-day training session with our Telemarketing Team, and the impact has been nothing short of transformative.
Gary's expertise and insightful methods have injected a new level of efficiency and effectiveness into our team's approach.
Since implementing some of Gary's strategies, we've witnessed a remarkable surge in the number of appointments booked. One standout achievement is a team member who secured a staggering 21 new business appointments in just one week. This tangible result speaks volumes about the practicality and success of the Channel Sales Academy's training.
Gary's engaging and tailored training style resonated well with our team, fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment. We highly recommend Gary May and the Channel Sales Academy for anyone looking to elevate their telemarketing efforts and achieve tangible, impressive results.
Dan Levy
Training & Marketing Manager
Mtech
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I cannot express enough how transformative our experience with the Channel Sales Academy Sales & Telemarketing training program, led by the industry's foremost trainer, coach, and mentor, Gary May, has been for our team at Fortay Connect.
Our initial objective in bringing Gary on board was to revamp our approach to generating new business leads, primarily through phone outreach. While we had all received sales and telemarketing training in the past, what we encountered with Gary was nothing short of a revelation.
Within the first hour of the training, it became abundantly clear that what we were about to learn was not just different but on an entirely higher plane than anything we had ever encountered before. To call it genius is an understatement; it's a true paradigm shift.
What set Gary apart was his ability to teach us how to have prospects actively seek our services, resulting in an astounding 87% success rate. Additionally, his unique closing strategy, with an over 90% conversion rate, has armed us with an unparalleled approach, an opportunity we would have never realized without Gary and the Channel Sales Academy's training and coaching.
Gary May and the Channel Sales Academy have truly unlocked a world of possibilities for Fortay Connect, and I am immensely grateful for the impact this experience has had on our business.
Sincerely, Mark Taylor Managing Director Fortay Connect
"... Fast forward 2 months and my brand new telesales team and Sales Academy recruits have delivered back-to-back company record months 📈
🏆Individuals tracking to break the all time company record for meetings in just their 3rd month! 🏆
As well as individuals already on progression plans to be promoted into the senior sales team, following the numerous examples of Sales Academy Graduates whom have progressed in the last 6 months.
Our Recent Sales & Telemarketing Team results:
- MMR profits increased by 134%
- One-Off profits up by over £500%
- New Business Appointments booked increased by 135.94%
- Sales department (Sales/ACM/TM) achieved 310% of the monthly target
"
Tommy Dixon - Sales Manager
