WHAT’S NEW FOR 2010
These past couple of years have been challenging to say the least. From a global recession, to the collapse of financial institutions, to automotive recalls, it is a miracle we survived at all.
Unemployment, right sizing, reorganizing, employee rationalization, centralizing and early retirement became the buzz-words we grew accustomed to hearing. Headlines focused on high unemployment rate, company bankruptcies, and job panic in general.
Despite it all, we’ve made it through to see the beginnings of a recovery phase.
How do we know we’re in a better place? Look no farther than the miracle that was the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. There was a strong sense of belief, passion, and achievement that blanketed the country with positivity and patriotism that transcended age, class and culture. Even the most pessimistic amongst us has to admit it was a sporting and emotional success for Canada.
After the winning times, when scores are long forgotten, what will we remember and take away with us? We will remember how athletes, fans, volunteers, and icons made us feel as they provided the perfect backdrop to create our own stories and memories.
You, like many others, will take that feeling of excitement and success back to your everyday lives and maybe set the bar a little higher, maybe make the extra effort, maybe lend a lifting hand, maybe embrace your competitor and see them in a better light.
The people you have on your team will be the difference between missing the podium and winning gold. The Olympics have shown us that the difference between having your flag raised and catching an early flight home can be measured in slivers of time, circumstance, luck and effort. Take this opportunity to assess whether your company, your product, your service, and your team are going to finish in the medal round.
So how do you make sure you have a winning team? The most common theory about today’s job market is that unemployment is up, and therefore there must be lots of talent available, lots of people to choose from – It’s an employer’s dream come true!
In fact, the opposite is true. The truth is that companies that are forced to downsize do not let go of their top performers first. If you had to reduce your sales or marketing team from 10 people to 5 people, are you letting go your top 5 people? The truth is employers are holding onto their top performers like never done before! In my 20 years of recruiting, I haven’t seen such a high rate of retention bonuses, performance-based commissions, and lucrative benefit programs. Ask yourself what you would do to keep your very best employee during these difficult times. Your competitors are doing the same. Maybe more.
What does this mean for your business? You need a proactive recruitment strategy that secures winners, leaders, and gold medalist that will lead your team through these times of challenge and cutbacks. These high level candidates are not on job boards or applying on-line; They cannot be contacted by in-house recruiters or catchy chat rooms. Your winning strategy and your company’s ultimate finishing position will be directly linked to the caliber of talent you put on your team. Are you investing in your company’s future by making an investment in your people or are you cutting costs at the cost of your company’s future.
This year more, than other year in recent history, will lay the foundation for years of success to come, to lead the way, to gain market share, to increase distribution, to build an attractive bottom line.
The winners, the Gold Medal companies in 2010 will invest in their own future and win the race.
Thank you for your belief in SearchWest as we continue to grow your bottom line by “bringing people and opportunities together”.