Executives Prefer In Person Meetings

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

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

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

"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?

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

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

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

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