StrictlyExecs

The past few months have reminded, in some ways of 1979. The headlines of those days included economic, oil/energy, Iranian hostages (terrorists), unemployment problems and government intervention plans to solve all (remember gas lines and J. Carter in a sweater telling us to turn down the thermostat?).  The problems today appear to be larger because of global economies and the immediate transfer of news and opinion - and they very well may be. Still, there are actions in business we are taking and must  pursue in order to succeed in these interesting times.

Strategies include:

Grow Market Share: Put plans in place to increase market share. The plans will require accomplishment with fewer resources, but know that some or most of your competition is not taking the step. That alone provides opportunity to establish and nurture relationships that will mean business today and more business tomorrow.

Manage Tight: Cut cost. Heck we’ve needed to consider that since the first double latte was served for free at an Internet company in the mid 90s. There is no problem with perks when they attract and retain the talent resources necessary to execute our business plans. But let’s be honest, from the Valley to Wall Street some of these ‘perks’ have gotten out of hand.

Put a talent strategy in place - TODAY!:The economy will come back. We will need great people again - for some sooner than later. It is possible and HIGHLY ADVISABLE to put efficient and cost effective plans in place to sustain and nurture internal and external talent relationships. This DOES NOT mean hiring - headcount management is old school…now we have to put strategies in place to insure we have qualified talent available the moment we need them.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Talent Management service and technology solutions is my business. I’ve done it for 30 years and humbly created some of the earliest technology and literally wrote the book “Talent Force: A New Manifesto for the Human Side of Business” with my good friend Rusty Rueff. Here is an article I wrote, published this week at Kennedy Information Recruiting Trends, “The #1 Talent Strategy for 2009 - Radar tm“ that speaks to the need and the specific strategies in more detail.

So while we consider all the turbulent economic activities around us - take action. Customer and talent relationships, established and managed ahead of demand are the key strategies to increased market share, survival and growth. Find people and organizations who are experienced creating and executing these strategies and make sure your company is taking action.

If you don’t there is a good chance you will regret the fact in the future.

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