Suzanne's Notes

Fleetwood Mac - Little Lies Official Video (HD)

2011-11-28T10:34:00.000-08:00

PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES:
If we are discussing a potential search position with you, please tell me ALL that is relevant. WHY?

It's important to be open and honest with the exec search consultant (aka, recruiter, headhunter, etc). For example:
You have been interviewing with a competitor of my client company? I need to know this~
You didn't like the client contact first meeting? I need to know this~
Your wife/husband doesn't want to relocate? I need to know this~
Your background reveals an issue or position not stated on paper? I need to know this~

In an effort to orchestrate the "Perfect Match" I need/have to have, honesty, open communication

This Blog was prompted by a white lie that cost my client time and money, cost the candidate a great opportunity, and myself time and money~

Be open with the search consultant. We are experienced at overcoming basic flaws of all sorts. It's called a human thing. There are no perfect companies, no perfect people. However, There are Perfect Matches.

(shaking my head) (thinking I should go for a run)

"If B/S were set to music, some days my office would be Carnegie Hall,"

Suzanne Levison

Where Will We Find New Social Media Professionals? | Social Media Club

2011-11-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

Where Will We Find New Social Media Professionals? | Social Media Club

I read this interesting and enlightening article by Mike McClure in September.

Yes, so true. The points expressed in the article are ones I asked myself and colleagues after attending a social media seminar, 2008.

We have been busy the past few years developing our market
and are prepared for the ever evolving"revolution" known as Social Media

What we do is:

Executive Search~

Place specific talented individuals for clients. "The Perfect Match."

If You wish to discuss (confidentially) your company needs for social presence, I can be reached (emails) initially

619Suzanne@gmail.com

srl@hushmail.com

Search Clients/Geography for Recruiters

2010-07-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

Many times I have heard, "Where are you located?" or "Do you know a recruiter located in our area?"

Clients: " The physical LOCATION of your collaborating search consultant is a non issue."

Does the consultant understand your industry? Or invested the time to research your organization? And understands the requirements for your open position (s)?

These are the issues of importance.

My own niche (fifteen years) as a search consultant for entertainment, events, meetings, exhibits, incentive, agency, film and related industries worldwide, have taken me to global locations for the perfect match. Much of the time with phone contact, at other times with in person meetings. Today our tools so enhance the search process ~~Skype, Google Voice, IPhone apps for these, OH, the list is endless.

Today, for example, I was at an off site location (coffee shop at the beach) for an early phone conference in NY. In a bit, I'll be in Skype conference with two prospective search client executives in London. This global reach is not a new adventure. Prior to the latest communication devices, the geographic location of a search firm, recruiter, consultant were a non issue.

What IS the important issue? ~ Do I understand your need to fill the open position?

Client Culture/The Search for Rhett Butler

2010-06-27T20:35:00.000-07:00

OK, a true story. The story relates back to understanding your client culture.

In my opinion, no person can predict the outcome of the "Do we all get along" "Does it feel right" aspect of a search.

A couple of years ago, I secured a new executive search for a senior financial position. After much client consultation, I thought I understood exactly the client's requirements. I was so excited when the first viable candidate I found possessed ALL of the requirements as understood by me~In fact, he and the client contact (Company Prez) were going to be in the same city, same week..I felt as though the Heaven's had parted while terms like "perfect match" "dumb luck," "great timing" were...well, you get the picture The two met, talked for some time. Candidate called me, yes, super position, liked the company vision, let me call you back. So, hmm..I was sort of wondering at this point. He sounded not sure, vague, even.

So, of course next, the client and I connected..Yes, Ma'am, the meeting was fine, candidate was more than qualified, exactly as was described for experience, education, very personable, and all that..HOWEVER...We are a Southern based company with deep Southern roots and he's a YANKEE! We are talking the difference between grits and quiche. This gentleman would feel uncomfortable with in our organization in a matter of days. But you are right on the target with the type of experience we need.

Soooo, I hung up the phone, took a long hot bath, thought about that conversation more when suddenly it dawned on me~~

Ah! I am searching for Rhett Butler with a degree in finance.

The next day, we started from square one with a different attitude. A few days later I was given a was a referral to a possible candidate. He was what I would term an "up and comer." With some reluctance, I placed a call to him, he returned my call. Yes, he was interested in hearing more..Did I detect a faint Southern accent? Yes! We talked at length (of course) about the company, the position, and arranged an interview. The outcome of the meetings led to a filled position, a happy client, a happy employee (still two years later.)

Client Culture. Help me understand all of those nuances about your client culture.

Search Client/Candidate Meeting

2010-06-27T12:30:00.001-07:00

WOW! Those seeking positions today are inundated with information about how to do just about everything.

I prefer to focus upon YOU, the company client..

Tip 1:

When we have arrived at the point of presenting candidates for your special search project, by now, I know you, Mr/Ms/ contact client representative. I am informed about your service/product/and "feel" your culture.We have spent much time discussing your need, the why, the how, and when, and the what. Now we have arrived at "The Who"

We have searched a multitude of candidates, talked with many, and many more. We have uncovered all of the known pluses/minus, spent many hours devoted to finding the candidates for your open position. I know you need this position filled yesterday, so now we have arrived at this point..The First Candidate Interview!

Know that the person you are interviewing has read all of your company statictics, is ready to meet with you in person. The presented candidate may be somewhat uptight, so a relaxed tone is good for starters. I have already sent you either a video resume and/or paper, so please have the materials readily available to you. We have an agreement that this material is confidential and accessible to only the participating company officials.

I prefer to think of interviews in a collaborative sense, so the candidate will walk in your door with that feeling (I hope to have imparted this prior) Talk as long as you wish, ask relevent questions, treat the candidate respectfully, and enjoy the meeting. You, as well, relax, be yourself. Describe the company and position from your perspective. Advise my presented candidate what is important to you in filling the position. What sort of day to day responsibilities, what hasn't turned out the way you had expected, what has, etc~~be candid. All the stuff one doesn't read in a job description is good. The feel of the company culture, the real experience day to day.

I will follow up with you as soon as you have given this meeting thoughtful consideration. By this point in time, I will have followed up with the candidate as well to discuss his/her thoughts, feelings, unanswered questions, etc..Remember, the ultimate goal is a "perfect match" for your company and the specific department.

We are just beginning our journey to fill the position at this point. Stay tuned for more information highlights, Mr./Ms. Employer.

A Search Executive Mantra

2010-06-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

Executives Prefer In Person Meetings

2009-11-19T08:59:00.000-08:00

Trains are But One Mode of Experience

After spending sixteen years meeting with clients, candidates, and prospects, of meetings, entertainment, event, exhibit, film, media markets for search, I will be sharing excerpts (via you tube video) from our industry venues over the next few months..I am thinking Boardrooms to Back Stage Rooms. (ah..and many more)

Following is a link to a recent BtoB article about the topic.

http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090828/FREE/908289993/1078/newsletter011

Summer Winds Down, Darn

2009-08-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever, I sort of escaped for the entire summer..combed the beach, traveled to visit family, and took my time collecting sea shells.

The past several months, although most unusual for industry, we observed new pathways to communicate with others. How exhilerating to phone conference via Skype with clients/prospects, etc as in conference mode..How fun to post my favorite you tube videos on twitter..How enriching to connect with others on Facebook...How exciting to organize my you tube account..ahh..the list is endless.

We have found various avenues to solidify new relationships..

My prediction for the upcoming next few months? After consulting the "Oracle" of course,~~ All of us will be "hustling" to find just the perfect fit of talented professionals for projects and long term employmnent. Yes, I am beginning to see this now. Business climates worldwide will take a leap forward once again. Perhaps our newly enhanced communication formats will serve us well.

And, for the perfect close of summer (for me, that is)~~I am reserved for a great seat at Caesars, Vegas, for Luis Miguel Concert...Live!

Executive Search Making Magic

2009-05-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

One of my long term clients has used the phrase "Call Suzanne and have her work her magic." In some respects, there it truth to this statement. We recruiters have been social media pioneers long before the terms existed. How do we spend our days?~we go out in the marketplace, make friends, and build relationships. Now, we merely utilize additional online tools. The magic happens when we are asked to fill a critical need in record time. Perhaps someone resigned without notice in the midst of show pre production. The call comes late in the day, our client needs an executive producer on site in a week. The EP needs to "Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk" plus a myriad of additional experience: lights, camera, action, entertainment, business theatre, direct the crew,experienced eye on the budget, ...ahhh..the conjuring up of the show production talent energy begins. Our client is antsy, our client's corporate client is freaking. Our time spent with social media, building relationships over the years will now benefit our client when he/she needs it the most~in a pinch. We Deliver in record time! And that's the way it happens~ like magic

Honoring My Mother

2009-05-10T10:13:00.001-07:00

"In one of the stars I shall be living
In one of them I shall be laughing
And so I will be as if all the stars
were laughing when you look
at the sky at night"

from, The Little Prince

Are You an A List Search Client for Recruiters?

2009-05-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

Last week, I was discussing search with a couple of my astute colleagues who also are involved with executive search for their respective industries.

We expressed similar thoughts about all of the over information about the how to's for candidates (those searching for positions are seeking a change in employment)..how to develop your resume, how to network, how to use job search engines, how to do just about everything imaginable. Since I subscribe to many well known publications, agree with a handful of them..my thoughts turned to our clients.

Clients~The people who pay the bill.

So, what comprises a great search client?

My experience of 14 years search in the fields of entertainment/events/film/exhibits/media/ad agency world wide have led me to a few "musts."

I have your direct line number. I have your cell phone number. Of course, I have your email address. You communicate with me about ALL of the nuances of the position for which we are partnering with you to find for I am bound by our confidentiality agreement. You follow up with me as quickly as your schedule allows. (I know you are busy, but when I find for you a person who is a great fit with two other offers on the table, well....you get the picture. Besides, you needed this person last month, we must act on this now) If I am searching for a specific department and not directly for you, the department executive(s) understands the ground rules we established as well. Second and third interviews, you understand, are scheduled as quickly as possible with the various departments involved in the process. You tell me if a specific professional is not a fit and are candid about your reasons.

You understand that I will talk with many candidates prior to presenting professionals to you. You respect the fact that I understand the industry and your need to fill your open position. You trust my experience, not only industry experience but search experience as well.

Communication and Time Frame are two important client/search firm ingredients that allow us to serve you and your company well.

More to follow~~

Jogging& Dancing&Embarrassed

2009-05-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

Recently, I have taken up my exercise routine (once again) Yoga, yes, jogging, of course, dance, certainly. So, early this morning, I set out for the beach with my ipod in place. While listening to the sound track to "Dirty Dancin" I headed over by the beach at the Hotel del Coronado around dawn today. Visions of myself jumping off of the stage into the waiting arms of Patrick Swayze (in this instance, the alpha male was one of my own imagination) were flitting around in my mind. Since dawn was just breaking, I thought, well, I am alone here on the beach.

While the music enchanted me, I must have really gotten into the dance part, because when I walked up from the beach there were a few other joggers by that time standing, enjoying my antics! I buried my head in my hooded sweatshirt with hopes I wouldn't run into these folks at the local market anytime soon..Think I'll try the other side of the island for a while.

The Day I Rescued a Navy Seal

2009-05-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

And his cat from captivity. Early one morning while out jogging near my home in Coronado, CA (home of the Naval Amphibious Base and Navy Seals). I was enjoying the early morning trek down to the sea through the neighborhoods of Coronado. I heard a tapping on a window, so I looked around to find the source of the tapping when I saw two eyes and a black cat staring at me from the very bottom of a large tinted bay window. The voice said to me "Maam, my door lock is broken and I am wondering if you will push on the door as it swings inward." I told him, I am not very strong but I'll try..he continued "It will be just fine, I have dismantled the lock and I'll show you where to stand and how to." So, I followed his intructions exactly with one foot here, another there, use your weight just so and lightly push. The door swung open inward like a feather to my amazement! How the heck? Must be a Navy Seal thing. I recognized the young gentleman as one of the elite special forces. I proceeded to the beach for my morning jog. No parachutes, no helicopters, nope, not this time! Successful extraction, mission accomplished~~

Dim the Lights of the Strip, Vegas

2009-05-02T10:35:00.001-07:00

With great sadness, I read early yesterday about the passing of most talented entertainer, Danny Gans. I had the pleasure of working with Danny's show long before his rise to fame, as many of us in corporate production world wowed our client groups with his show. What I remember the most, in addition to his brilliant performace, was his attention to detail, how he responded to us (his clients) promptly and with much professionalism. Certainly, a great talent and kind, gracious man has left us and joined the entertainment community of another realm. God Bless, we were fortunate you brought us merriment and happiness during your time on Earth, Danny