How solving a single problem vacancy built the framework for Myriad's hiring success

The Problem That Was Holding Back Growth

Myriad Products was pivoting towards the rapidly growing commercial solar market - a strategic move that required MD Paul Clark's extensive expertise to drive sales and manage key client relationships.

But Paul was trapped in day-to-day sales activity when he should have been focusing on building the business for the future. The solution seemed obvious: recruit an experienced Business Development Manager.

The reality was painful: over two years, working with multiple recruitment agencies, Myriad had hired several BDMs. Every single one had failed to deliver and left the business.

The Hidden Costs of Getting It Wrong

The impact went far beyond agency fees:

• Paul remained stuck in sales rather than strategic growth
• Slower response to the commercial solar boom
• Repeated team disruption and workflow interruption
• Multiple agency fees plus costs for people who didn't work out

Myriad was caught in a vicious cycle: they desperately needed the right person to unlock growth, but repeated failures made finding them feel increasingly impossible.

A Different Approach: The Hire Plus Framework

When Myriad approached Cohort, we didn't just focus on filling the vacancy. We investigated why previous hires had failed.

What we discovered:

• Fundamental role misunderstanding: Previous agencies had focused on recruiting a traditional "sales person" when Myriad actually needed a future business leader
• Wrong candidate profile: Job specs attracted BDM generalists rather than someone with strategic vision and leadership potential
• Misaligned interviews: Questions focused on sales metrics rather than leadership capability and business thinking
• Missing market context: Candidates weren't assessed for their understanding of commercial solar's unique challenges

Our Hire Plus Framework: