The Growth Bites Podcast
Season 2, Episode 3: Karen De-Merist
Cracking New Markets & How to Build a Smart Client Acquisition Strategy
Entering a new market? It’s not just about finding clients, it’s about finding the right clients, understanding the market, and avoiding costly mistakes.
In this episode, Jo sits down with Karen De-Merist, who shares her approach to building a solid client acquisition strategy, researching new territories, and validating demand before taking the plunge. From leveraging niche expertise and industry knowledge to using data to validate market fit, Karen explains why it’s crucial to have both internal expertise and external insights to make informed decisions.
Jo and Karen also discuss what data you need to research a new market properly, the legal traps to avoid, and how to use your CRM to build relationships that really stick.
If you’re a recruitment leader looking to expand regionally or globally, don’t miss this one - Karen’s practical advice could save you time, money, and a lot of headaches!
Meet our Guest
Karen De-Merist
COO/CPO/NED & Recruitment Business Consultant
With over 25 years of experience in delivering innovative talent solutions globally, Karen is an expert in strategic recruitment a business transformation. She has led high-impact operations across finance, banking, and outsourcing sectors, including managing UK/EMEA teams of over 350 recruitment professionals and spearheading a group-wide talent strategy for 2,000 employees.As a strategic advisor for The Recruitment Network (TRN), Karen’s focus is on helping businesses scale smartly, building strong partnerships, and guiding leaders to achieve transformational results. An experienced mentor and advocate for diversity, Karen is passionate about nurturing talent and creating sustainable, growth-driven strategies for organisations.