Employee recruitment efforts should remain a priority despite the prolonged downturn in the economy, a panel of local business leaders said Monday.

"In the financial services world, you do your best recruiting in the worst markets," said Paul Purcell, chairman, president and CEO of Robert W. Baird & Co., Milwaukee. "We grew our headcount four and a half percent last year when the industry was down 20 percent. We'll probably grow another 5 percent this year when the industry will be down another 15 percent."

Purcell was one of three panelists who took part in a panel discussion hosted by the Greater Milwaukee Committee. Jeffrey Joerres, chairman, president and CEO of Milwaukee-base global staffing firm Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN), moderated the discussion.

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