Welcome to The Fordyce Letter:
Too bad.
Connecting with the likes of these folks could change your career.
Big time.
It’s not too late.
Dennis Smith
Articles by Dennis Smith
Not Going to The Fordyce Forum Next Week?
by 
Dennis Smith
on May 30, 2008
Dennis Smith
on May 30, 2008
Social Media in Plain English
by Dennis Smith
on May 30, 2008
Dennis Smith
on May 30, 2008
Watch this video (below) and you’ll get an excellent visual, and explanation, of “social media.”
It provides the background for why I think so much is changing with regard to “job search.”
I understand that referrals and networks make our world go ’round, however, the way many people find a new job – is changing.
The places they frequent (online) to find a new job – is changing.
The people with whom they connect to get a new job – is changing.
And Social Media is playing a huge role in this change.
Performance and Your Audience – Blogging Tips
by Dennis Smith
on May 28, 2008
Dennis Smith
on May 28, 2008
As a followup to Dave’s post, I thought I’d post a short article by Chris Brogan (written earlier this year), that provides a few solid tips for blogging.
Whether you call it a forum, a blog, or a journal, it really doesn’t matter. Whether your target audience is the client or candidate makes no difference (although it would certainly make a difference in your topic selection). Bottomline, there are things one can do to better reach that audience, and that’s what Brogan details in this article.
If you have a personal blog, a corporate blog, or just like to point your finger at Dave’s posts, hey, any of these tips will help.
Here’s Brogan:
Six “Pink” Career Lessons
by Dennis Smith
on May 8, 2008
Dennis Smith
on May 8, 2008
Ok, I’m prepared to take some heat for this post.
First of all, the videos are making some of you crazy. If that’s you, feel free to move on – no offense taken.
Actually, this isn’t a video – it’s slides. But yes, the slides are full of what might be referred to as “shallow ideas” and touch-feely cliches. However, I’m just simple enough to believe that I can take some of this information and share it with the Millennials I recruit. I believe it will make sense to some of them.
Sure, we can nit-pick this thing to death. And, I’m sure we will. For goodness sakes, there’s plenty to nit-pick: it’s “184″ slides long!
So, here’s my warning:
People Buy People First
by Dennis Smith
on May 7, 2008
Dennis Smith
on May 7, 2008
Two years ago I came across this crazy guy named Scott Ginsberg. He’s the Nametag Guy. That’s right. He wears a nametag 24×7. That’s his schtick. Well, I thought it was a schtick. And then I found out that he knows a thing or two about people:
- what it takes to get their attention
- what it means to provide “real” value
- what it means to be “approachable”
- what it takes to provide real CRM
By the time I landed on his web page, Scott was already well on his way to being “well known.” That’s right, just because you don’t know him doesn’t mean he isn’t well known. But I digress.
Bill Vick Makes Me Think…about the “Collision”
by Dennis Smith
on May 6, 2008
Dennis Smith
on May 6, 2008
Every time I talk to Bill Vick I come away with a few things that I can’t shake (translation: he makes me think about what I’m doing and why).
A few weeks ago he was talking about the “collision” that’s going on right now between Recruiting, Technology, and the Demographic issues related to the Boomers, Bakers, and Candlestick-Makers Boomers, X’ers, and Millenials. His videos say it all.
I then experienced it first-hand when I presented at a local IEEE meeting about using LinkedIn as a job-search tool. Don’t get me wrong, there were a handful of attendees who resonated with what I said (and all were kind and very gracious). The rest just thought I was whacko. Well, they are in good company.
By the way, in the video, I refer to Bill’s site as XtremeRecruiting.org …..actually, it’s XtremeRecruiting.tv.
Roll ‘em:
Social Media Top 5: The Present and Future of Disconnecting
by Dennis Smith
on May 2, 2008
Dennis Smith
on May 2, 2008
Doug Haslam just posted about this 30 minutes ago over on his blog (I found his post via Twitter where I follow him).
Doug’s not a headhunter – he’s a technology PR guy. I follow him because he makes me think (I realize that stuns those of you who really know me).
Anyway, I’m intrigued with his ideas of “disconnecting.” Because I rarely do. I’d say this is a trait shared by many in my profession.
Would you marry him after a 1 hour interview in a singles bar?
by Dennis Smith
on Apr. 29, 2008
Dennis Smith
on Apr. 29, 2008
That’s the question posed by Seth Godin some time back while contemplating this whole job-interview-thing.
If you’re of sound mind, your answer is, “Absolutely NOT!” Well, at least for most of us.
However, Seth’s take is that’s exactly what many of us do when it comes to the job interview process.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big fan of the interview done well. In fact, I’m a fan of Lou Adler’s performance-based-hiring (posted about it recently) and have implemented this in our hiring practices.
But I just might be interested in following Lou’s advice, and then doing a follow-up with what Seth calls a “measurable event.” Lou’s performance-based hiring is, in my opinion, THE tool for determining job fit based on performance. The past performance should be a strong predictor of how somebody will perform today. In turn, Godin’s real-time-measurable-event should confirm the interviewees convictions about their ability to perform in the past today.
Translation: their ability to get in the cage and tame the lion. Today.
Curious to get your thoughts after you read the post by Godin.
You’re Right
by Dennis Smith
on Apr. 26, 2008
Dennis Smith
on Apr. 26, 2008
This topic is ripe for diverse feedback as most everybody in our profession has a strong opinion about “customer” related issues.
Is the customer always right? No.
But Seth Godin believes that “you’re right” is the most productive response to critical feedback or a response from a customer. Do you agree?
It will take you about 45 seconds to read this post.
Agree or disagree, it might make you think twice about how you respond to customers if you are in the business of providing a “service” to the mass of humanity.
Fordyce Forum 2008 (Las Vegas, June 4-6)
by Dennis Smith
on Apr. 24, 2008
Dennis Smith
on Apr. 24, 2008
Not going? You’d better think twice.
