Mbrace

Mbrace is a specialised direct search office in Belgium that focuses on commercial profiles and on other profiles holding a key function within a company organisation. It was founded by Michiel Garré, who spent 15 years in sales as an account manager and sales manager across various sectors before switching to recruitment and selection and choosing entrepreneurship straight away. That background is the company's first stated strength: many offices shy away from screening sales profiles because they have too little feel for them, and Mbrace argues this is precisely where it is strong. The second is shared DNA, because sales connects better with sales and heavily approached commercial candidates talk more easily to consultants who speak their language. A third principle, less is more, means only a limited number of assignments are accepted at the same time so that quality is guaranteed and success comes faster.

Mbrace takes on searches for outspoken commercial profiles through to more commercially technical ones, covering account managers and sales managers as well as purely operational positions and directie- en kaderfuncties, in a regional, national or international context. The candidates it contacts vary widely depending on what the client wants, from school leavers to high potentials to people over 55. The company also offers advice and support outside a live search, covering general career advice for school leavers, for candidates ready for a next step and for over 55s, as well as how to put a CV together and how best to prepare for an interview.

The method runs in four stages. Mbrace contacts not only candidates actively looking but especially those still in work who are open to a new professional step. Interested candidates are then screened in a personal conversation on sales skills and the other specific competencies the role requires. Anyone receiving a contract offer is asked for references and is often asked to take a KOAN PI test, the result of which is discussed with them. After a candidate starts, Mbrace stays in regular contact and coaches where needed to smooth onboarding, with two physical contact moments planned for junior profiles. Clients quoted on the site include Velleman, IWG, Sertius, Vijftotdederde Architecten and Bolton Adhesives Group. Mbrace works from Jean-Baptiste Dekeyserstraat 1 in Ronse and Molenstraat 95 in Merelbeke, and can be reached on +32 495 57 59 75 or at [email protected].