Monthly Archives: October 2009

My Future in Recruiting

by in Great Employees, Human Resources, Innovation, Recruiting, Social Networking | 1 Comment

“In the great mass of our people there are plenty individuals of intelligence from among whom leadership can be recruited.” – President Herbert Hoover

Is recruiting about the research, relationship building and acquisition and training of talent or the potential for greatness?

My future in recruiting will be a manifestation of innovation and change. Planting the seed, nurturing and watching the tree of global unification grow is a horticulturalist dream. As the branches expand and leaves grace the stems with intellectual brilliance we find ourselves in the Talent community holding hands around this tree and embracing the future ahead of us.

Throughout my academic ride, professors stressed the importance of cultural awareness, business models, relationship building, training and adaptation. Taken that knowledge base and diversifying my career over industry sectors and geographic change, I have witnessed a collective understanding of the key factors that contribute to the greatness all companies have the potential to achieve.

Business Model 101 dictates the elements of a successful organization are built on the foundation of a mission, core values, policies and procedures, sustained culture, rewards and recognition and ethics. Putting that all aside, I have always viewed the one key element that will set brilliance ahead of mediocrity is human capital.

Those that have the key skills and competencies will help a company maintain a competitive edge but leadership is driven by risk, challenge, change management, collaboration, fiscal understanding, and cultural tolerance.

My future in recruitment is not only to play a roll in acquiring the talent that will drive my organization to become a benchmark in our industry and provide a return on investment to all our shareholders but to groom the next generation that will catapult us to standards of excellence.

I will build relationships through social networking, personal connections, collaborative efforts and integration into their professional and personal well being. Who I connect with now may have an immediate impact on the future of my company or a long term affect.

I believe in the mission of my company and its goal of promoting my personal growth and development and I feel strongly that with patience, technical resources, industry knowledge and presence, I will build a network that will continue to grow over time both domestically and globally.

My future in recruiting is about embracing the tools of social media, not being afraid to connect, and understanding the knowledge base that is launching the evolution of my industry.

I am excited about the prospects of the future. I believe talent acquisition are the pioneers of a new movement in business and we will set the standards and dictate policy moving ahead.

This is an exciting time of change.

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The Importance of October 28th

by in Democracy, Harvard, History, October 28th, Paranormal Activity, Statue of Liberty and tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

One day before the 84th Anniversary of the Stock Market Crash of 1929, and for many this week seems to be working in that direction, I would like to take this opportunity to present a historical evaluation of the importance of October 28th.

For the true conspiracy theorists in the audience this may blow your mind. Not as much as “Paranormal Activity” but a close second.

Many significant events transpired on this hallowed day in history but the unprecedented significance is almost mind boggling. Truth be told, I wanted to use the phrase “mind boggling” for some time and could not find a true fit until now.

Let me outline and then explain my discovery:

1 – October 28, 1636 – Harvard was founded
2 – October 28, 1793 – Eli Whitney filed for a patent for the cotton gin
3 – October 28, 1886 – The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in the New York Harbor by President Grover
Cleveland.

Many other significant events occurred on this day including the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Benito Mussolini taking control of Italy in 1922, and the first Macy’s Department Store opened in New York City in 1858 but the critical importance of these three events on the same day in history is truly amazing.

Harvard is considered the foremost pinnacle of higher education, setting the standards for the entire country and the world. Setting the bar for ethics, morals, educational standards and reputation has made Harvard a reputable giant in the world of academia.

Eli Whitney is considered by many historians as the Grandfather of the Industrial Revolution. The cotton gin created a breakthrough in mass production tooling and process. This invention would open the doors to the world we live in today.

Finally, the Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty needs no introduction. For millions that landed on Ellis Island to call America home, this is the symbol of liberty, freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of honor, respect, loyalty and most importantly all the freedoms we celebrate each and every day.

As one observer, I am truly taken back by this new found knowledge. Three events that paved the way for education, industrialization, and freedom all began their reign on October 28th.

Too Academic excellence, modern industry and democracy….Cheers!

Bye Bye Miss American Pie

by in Charlie Rose, Dream, Jenn Wenner, Madison Square Garden, Memories, music, Paul Simon, Rock and Roll, Tributes | Leave a comment

October 29th and October 30th 2009 at Madison Square Garden, the unofficial ninth wonder of the world, the music world will come together to celebrate life, energy, social and political awareness and a generation of musical poets who have defined the changing times at the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert Event.

Jenn Wenner, Editor and Co-Founder of Rolling Stone Magazine met with Charlie Rose to discuss the meaning of musical poetry over the last 30 years and how the sound and socio-economic importance have shifted and evolved.

During this two day celebration, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks, Crosby, Still, Nash and Young, U2, Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Metalica, Simon and Garfunkel and many more guests will bless the stage with tributes, honors and recognition for the influences who have made music such a vital part of our lives on the professional, political, economic and social scene.

This concert is more than just an event. It is a collective salute to those with the courage to believe in something bigger than themselves and to voice their message to millions.

To those artists that will be performing and those we have lost over the years, thank you.

Charlie Bit My Finger

by in Advertising, Charlie Bit Me, Marketing, Recession, Simon Cowell, Uncategorized, YouTube | 2 Comments

When FDR told us to buy war bonds, we listened and took out our wallets.
When Ashton and Ted Turner/CNN fought for one million followers on Twitter, we joined.
When Oprah gave us a book title, we read.
When Barney told us it was “Legend” wait for it “ary”, we waited.
When Michael Jordan ate Wheaties, we ate every spoonful right along with him.

What lesson has Marketing 101 taught each of us? Fame and popularity are very effective tools for persuasion and have tremendous selling power. This would not be an educational blog without a twist, a few theories and a drawn conclusion to take away with you for further thought.

How did the “Charlie Bit My Finger” video starring two young British lads to date draw 129,365,073 individual views, 245,955 comments, and 329,588 ratings since its release on May 22, 2007. Spurring off a number of imitation videos, national press coverage and unprecedented advertising banners, this 56 second phenomenon has created a global awareness of grass roots advertising. Not to take credit away from “David after Dentist” who has an amazing 33,071,519 views to his credit, but Charlie and his giggle and appetite for fingers has taken the world by storm.

Kids are cute. Bill Cosby capitalized on that many years ago and Little Miss Sunshine reminded us of the advantages of child exploitation but is that enough to make it the greatest YouTube Video ever? To be the greatest video on the fourth largest website on the planet is quite an achievement. One Simon Cowell would even be humbled by. Is it the British accent? Even I am a sucker for a British accent. Maybe it’s the playful giggle of a newborn. Maybe it is the closeness we all feel for family. Theory, speculation, rumor and many many minutes of analysis are needed as we continue to ponder these questions. The truth is, someone liked it. That is how it all starts. It begins with one and continues until it either fades away or an epidemic ensues. This video has and continues to be a mass global epidemic.

For all the marketing executives out there trying to capitalize on the popularity of this video, isn’t the correct approach to understand this video and how it became the King of Youtube?

The key to successful marketing and advertising is to understand who your customers are, how they think, the supply and demand of the economy, the marketability of the product and/or service and how to maximize the profit margins. You will have to enroll at Phoenix University to get the full course load (We know there is one being built in your neighborhood very soon) but I think we get the gist.

This is a monumental time for the marketing community. Money is tight, unemployment is high, discretionary spending as at historical lows and families are finding ways to make more with less. In our lifetimes, this may be the biggest global recession we ever experience.

Talk about a challenge. The answer is simple, ask Charlie. I guess we have to wait a few years.

Moved by the Spirit of a Song

by in Memories, music, Paul Simon, Poetry, Road Trips | 1 Comment

Many times of in our lives we hit a wall, a moment of weakness and vulnerability or a state of temporary depression or loneliness. Yet somehow we recover. We find something of comfort to take us back to that place of happiness or contentment. It is those non-material values that we lock away in the memory box in our heads that we reserve for those specific moments.

Life moves fast so taking it in can be overwhelming. I have a little habit or game I play when I take a road trip. I bring a pad and write down all the weird, unusual, funny, sad, sentimental or just bizarre things or events during the trip. After I return home, we read the list and reflect on truly how amazing that adventure was instead of summarizing it to ten hours on the road and a few statues and museums. Life is everywhere. It is the farms and cows on the side of the road in Indiana, the amazing homemade chili at a road side diner in Wyoming, it is the first view of the Chicago skyline, it is the desert ride from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and seeing all the things that are on the cover of the Sheryl Crow CD, the hundreds of billboards for “South of the Border” (that end up being more exciting than the site), the over friendly locals in the south, smell of dew on a cold Minnesota morning or a warm rainfall in Seattle.

Wow, I managed to get off on a tangent without actually initially getting to my point. That is impressive.

One of my boxed memories that puts me back in my good place is American Tune. A newly discovered classic by Paul Simon that takes a very personal look at his life and expands it out to the unimaginable depth and magnitude of our being. It is a song that when you close your eyes you feel something very strong and individualized within you.

I want to share one of my simple inspirations with you:

American Tune – By Paul Simon

Many’s the time I’ve been mistaken
And many times confused
Yes, and I’ve often felt forsaken
And certainly misused
Oh, but I’m all right, I’m all right
I’m just weary to my bones
Still, you don’t expect to be
Bright and bon vivant
So far away from home, so far away from home

And I don’t know a soul who’s not been battered
I don’t have a friend who feels at ease
I don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered
or driven to its knees
but it’s all right, it’s all right
for we lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the
road we’re traveling on
I wonder what’s gone wrong
I can’t help it, I wonder what’s gone wrong

And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was crying

We come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age’s most uncertain hours
and sing an American tune
Oh, and it’s alright, it’s all right, it’s all right
You can’t be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow’s going to be another working day
And I’m trying to get some rest
That’s all I’m trying to get some rest

Music is All Around – Thank you Bob

by in Bob Schneider, music, Poetry and tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Bob Schneider and band rolled into the Pour House in Charleston, SC this evening to a very eager and energized crowd. Sandwiched between two fedoras accompanied by a trumpet and electric guitar, Bob took center stage with a beard and long flowing hair. Playing such classics as “Bullets”, “World Exploded in Love” and “Metal and Steel” warmed the audience for what would grow and climax with a rejoicing of song and dance.

The first half of the set was rather sedated to those accustomed to a Bob Schneider show. He soon put his foot down and said “It’s time to get this mother fucking party started”. The band blended mamba, calypso, funk, rock, blues and pop into a true celebration of this singer/songwriter.

Bob Schneider truly appreciates the element that has kept him on stage for over two decades, the fans. His candid ad libs and brash commentary made for an entertaining evening with a crowd avidly welcome to the elements of participation.

The talent of this man is truly a vision to be hold. Not only representing the modern generation of the lies of Dylan and Guthrie but factoring in the big band leaders of the 30’s and 40’s. He only displayed a segment of his talents as he played piano, guitar, harmonica and trumpet during his one hour and forty minute set.

The deepness in his eyes showed that rare accomplishment of an entertainer; the ability to connect.
He truly connected to everyone from the front row to the last person at the back of the club.

He is a presence onstage that takes his Texas roots; adding in the flavor of every city he has visited on his many bus tours and stirs it all together to create a melting pot of insightful lyrics and sounds , a fun evening and most importantly a continued following that is only growing over time.

His lyrics are bold and profound. Each song tells a story. Like a teacher reading from a book, we are students to his words. A true modern musical poet.

Bob Schneider with his mind in constant motion and some of the purest talent in the music industry may very well be the most talented singer/songwriter that you do not know.

You should know Bob Schneider. He will rock your ass off and leave room for dancing.

http://www.bobschneidermusic.com/

Confessions of An Unemployed Shopaholic

by in Career Searching, Human Resources, Recession, Talent Acquisition, Unemployment | 3 Comments

“I have an interview next week with UPS. I hope I get to wear the uniform. How cool would it be to wear the uniform.” – Those words were uttered by a very successful corporate and agency Talent Acquisition professional who had the suburban home outside of the major urban market and the summer cabin by the lake up north. Enjoyed traveling and sailing and knew how to close the deal.

After months of optimistic frustration, interviews started trickling in. Slowly but promising. Sharpening the interviewing skills, preparing for the behavioral bombardment of questions and ironing the most conservative suit in the closet, he was ready. The answered flowed, the confidence rose and the will to rise from the recession was peaking its head and just as we were ready to close the deal something was missing, the money.

Wait, is he expected to do the same caliber of work for 40 or 50 thousand less than what he was making prior. Oh no, reality just pitched three strikes and Casey is still waiting at the plate with bat in hand.

Time to sell the cabin but hopefully not the dogs. We can hold out a little longer. He can do some freelance consulting, participate in some small speaking engagements, take a few courses and keep fresh on the industry news and trends.

Now he finally has time to catch up on Mashable.com, BNet.com and Tweet the trials and tribulations of Bubble Boy on Twitter. Oh yes, internet procrastination disguised as a career search session. That may actually help the mental meltdown that is about to happen.

Good news, the unemployment rate is only 9.4% but wait, it is 12.8% in his major metropolitan area and if you factor in those that are no longer eligible for unemployment, we are close to 17.5%. Not looking good but not out yet.

He still has a strong circle of friends to help him through these times and he knows he is not the only one sitting on the deck of the Titanic. That moral support from employed and unemployed alike has kept him mentally strong during this time.

Even with the prospect of UPS he still does not see a sunrise in the near future. That is scary and very real.

What does the next chapter bring for this once well educated, well paid and well respected professional….
We will wait and see. He knows he is marketable and ready to take on the next assignment. He is maintaining connections with agencies, network contacts and keeping his career search and tweet deck up to date on opportunities. With persistence and a little bit of good old fashioned luck, this once prominent member of the Talent Acquisition community will once again rise to the top.

Postscript: This individual is now a senior director at a Fortune 500 global organization. Cheers!