Recruiters who are only now attempting to strengthen relationships with current clients and find new ones have left it “too late” given the current state of the economy, Elite Leaders managing director John O’Sullivan has warned.

The ability to build relationships is arguably the most essential quality recruiters can bring to their businesses. But fostering them is a process that should occur over the long term, and not only when economic dangers loom, said O’Sullivan to an Elite Leaders’ London networking group this week.

“If people are just hitting the phones now to build relationships, it’s too late,” he said.

However, recruiters can choose to "opt out" of the current state of economic gloom and doom by refusing to succumb to a negative frame of mind and adopting a positive approach to business, group leader Sir Eric Peacock advised. He added that recruiters must review  "every touch point" of their businesses to make the most of possible opportunities.