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The Fordyce Letter

Straight Talk for the Recruiting Profession


Articles tagged 'employees'

For Managers

Finding Transcendent Talent: How to Recruit and Manage the Best of the Best

by on Sep. 22, 2011


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The economy is perking up. Hiring is on the rise in corporate America. Recruiters and recruiting firms are flourishing and our clients are seeking transcendent talent to help them thrive today and in the future. Executive recruiting firms like Lucas Group are seeking that talent as well.

What constitutes transcendent talent? What professional and personal characteristics should you look for in high-performing recruiters? How do you recruit, manage, and incentivize top performers and help them become million dollar billers?

Over the last three decades in the recruiting industry, I have learned how critically important talent, cultural fit, and professional achievement are in our world. Below are a few of the lessons that I’ve learned in my career that have helped Lucas Group grow from a four-person shop helping military personnel transition into the business marketplace, to a major executive recruiting firm with offices in 15 cities across North America and successful recruiters working in every major industry.

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Ask Barb, For Managers

Ask Barb: Dealing with Recruiter Conflict

by on Sep. 14, 2011


Ask Barb

Dear Barb:

Business is improving, but now I’m dealing with all kinds of conflict with my recruiters.  They have become extremely territorial and I’m beginning to feel like a referee in my own business.  I’m still the top producer in my firm and can’t afford all the time and energy this is taking away from my desk.  Do I just fire these senior prima donnas and start from scratch?

Judy J., Colorado Springs, CO

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For Managers, Fordyce Forum

Fordyce Forum: Learning From Differing Management Styles

by on Jun. 2, 2011


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What’s the best way to lead? By example.

The Fordyce Forum kicked off today with an overwhelming theme of practicing what you preach, and there is no better way to exemplify good practices than by how one manages employees. During his keynote presentation, Jeff Skrentny challenged attendees to apply the same practices they require from their clients to their own hiring practices.

This morning, Conference Chair Jenifer Lambert led a panel of recruitment managers and business owners — consisting of Michael Gionta, Jordan Rayboy, Adam Dalva, and Carolyn Thompson — in a lively discussion around best practices for running a recruiting business.

In a room filled with recruiting firm owners, there could not have been a better discussion. The 60-minute discussion ranged from topics of when to hire to how to compensate and left attendees hungry for more — which of course they will be getting over the remainder of the conference. The following are just a few of the areas that were covered by the four panelists, who each approach managing their employees from very different angles.

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For Managers, Fordyce Forum

Podcast: Finding a Management Style That Works (For You!)

by on May 25, 2011


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Not all recruiting businesses operate the same way. Successfully, that is.

Whether you manage multiple offices over many cities, states, or countries, have a small group of employees who work in an office with you, or run your office on your own, management styles are never going to be exactly the same. Managing two employees requires a different approach than managing twenty. Managing one location requires a different strategy than managing multiple locations or a virtual office. If you try to model your management style exactly after another person or office, chances are it’s not going to work.

At the Fordyce Forum next week, we have a panel of successful recruiters scheduled to discuss how to find the management style that works best for you. 

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Entrepreneurship, For Managers

Do You Really Want Entrepreneurial Employees?

by on May 12, 2011


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I’ll admit it: I’m biased.

You see, all of the entrepreneurs I grew up with were much better entrepreneurs than employees. My father is an entrepreneur and both of my grandfathers were entrepreneurs, too. I’ve also heard stories from their time working as an employee and not only were they not as productive as they could have been, they were less than happy being an employee. Being their own boss was a better fit for multiple reasons.

So when I was sent Army of Entrepreneurs by Jennifer Prosek, I was admittedly skeptical. In some ways, I still am but there seems to be a better argument out there for incorporating principles of entrepreneurship into a company. 

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For Managers

Hiring Salespeople: Trust or Consequences

by on Jan. 20, 2011


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This is a time when many organizations are scrambling to produce sales. Some will be successful and some will not. Sales success and trust-building skills go hand in hand; yet, a salesperson’s ability to develop and maintain trust often goes unmeasured in the pre-hire phase.

Fundamental Sales Abilities

Put on your customer hat. Do you enjoy listening to a salesperson blab? Feel like you are in a verbal contest with someone whose only objective is to get your money? Get frustrated when a salesperson does not take the time to understand your situation? These are symptoms of poor sales hiring practices.

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Relationships, Weigh In!

I’m Mad As H#%* and I’m Not Going To Take This Any More!

by on Aug. 11, 2010


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Do you remember the 1976 film Network? The movie produced a very famous scene in which Howard Beale (played by Peter Finch) has a breakdown (some would argue an epiphany!) on live television (PG-13 clip of course!)

Seems a little too timely, doesn’t it! Over the last couple of days, two news stories have surfaced of individuals who decided they were “mad as hell, and were not going to take this anymore” with their jobs. They quit in style.

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