StrictlyExecs

Whether you are an executive searching for a job or a company searching for top executive talent, finding the right person or job is harder today than it has been in some time.

For executives, depending on our networks is still the best way to find an opportunity, however they do face dilemmas in networking to find the right opportunity.

• Companies are barraged with resumes and executive profiles from all directions
• Companies are understaffed in HR and in the Executive ranks to effectively deal with the flow
• Companies are working to manage costs and do not rely on external staffing resources as much as they have in the past

Companies face a different set of dilemms when searching for executive talent.

• Their perception that talent is widely available causes pause and loss of quality talent they meet
• Reliance on management resources to source and hire executive talent puts a strain on day to day execution and limits talent reach
• Managing the talent delivery process is a consultative process that requires time and skill - would you turn over a valued executive selling process to someone who has not sold much in the past?

Dealing with these dilemmas successfully require that executive talent and companies create a complete strategic plan to solve the dilemma before executing.

Executive talent should build a plan to network just as they would plan to sell, build or market a product. If you are an executive in Finance of Human Resources, partner with executives with selling. marketing and development skills to create your strategy before executing.

Companies in need of executive talent need to quantify the value of hiring by time and skill. Be specific and realistic. If not sure if your parameters are realistic be willing to bring in a consultant to help test your thoughts and then listen. Don’t get caught up in your own answers, remain open, listen to your tests and react accordingly. The same way you run your company.

These are unique times and require we search for opportunities and executive talent in new ways, not always different from processes successfully used in the past just different from our high flying, low unemployment, we can change the world days. Those days will be with us again and until they are be prepared to solve the search dilemma differently.

Hank Stringer CEO, Stringer Executive Search

We are in a softening economy. In this environment companies put their executive staffing needs on hold or do all they can to fill positions without the cost of traditional search services. Executive talent currently working is hard pressed to leave their work for new opportunities. For companies and executive talent business is on hold and business on hold will never feel right in the USA. It is important that as executive leaders we find ways to take advantage of the current business environment to position our companies ahead of our competition.

The answer: Executive Relationships Ahead of Demand

The Opportunity

The Professional Executive Search Call: Executive talent has little interest or time today to take calls from sales account executives or to receive email marketing messages. They are more concerned with managing costs, finding sales, managing marketing and operations budgets and doing all they can to succeed in a tough business environment. They will take the call from a known executive search professional. The environment today is perfect for executive search consultants to carry your company’s compelling value proposition and marketing messages to key market place targets with varied positive outcomes.

The Search Consultant Call

“The firm I represent is not currently looking to fill an executive position, however based on the company’s proposition, market position and future growth plans, it is imperative we establish relationships with the right executives today for our needs tomorrow. The company has specifically requested I contact you to establish an appropriate relationship. Do you have time for an introductory phone conversation with the CEO?”

The Value Outcome

• A future executive
• A network/referral point leading to future executives
• Future Search Fee savings
• Market Feedback
• Business Opportunities - sales / acquisitions / partnerships / strategic funding

I have used the executive search call successfully over the years to establish relationships, position my software company to increase sales, secure partnerships, acquisitions targets and to entice acquisition opportunities and beleive this is the precise strategy companies must pursue in today’s economic environment.

All of us are conducting business in a new evironment which requires we think differently to find and take advantage of the opportunities the market affords.

A strategic plan to establish and manage relationships with executive talent ahead of demand is necessary today if your company wants to win tomorrow.

The time is right.

Hank Stringer is a 30 year search veteran and founder of Hire.com where he and his team successfully created and sold software to help global enterprises source and manage private talent communities - ahead of demand. hank@stringersearch.com