Human Dimensions

A Blog By Any Other Name

2007-05-30T14:58:00.000-05:00

The hardest thing about keeping a blog is finding ample time to keep it updated. Today I made an interesting observation about BLOGS - in a love/hate kind of fashion.

Blogs are great tools for people with Attention Deficit Disorder. There is a long list of people that are glad that I have blogs - the person in the office next to me, the occasional elevator passenger (that I don't know but talk to on a regular basis), my supervisor, my supervisor's supervisor, my next door neighbor (on the north side - as I don't talk to the people on the south side). With the blog to spew out my commentary, many of the above mentioned people have had a more peaceful existence.

2. Blogs are terrible for people with Attention Deficit Disorder. For all of the times that I could start an entry I lose the ability to complete a balanced and pleasant entry. The effort that it takes to add a picture or change formatting in addition to "Mr. Mullay's Ten Rules of Writing A Good Paper " sticking in my head since college. It can stress you out. This has bummed me out.

Honestly, I am often inspired and usually tired.
I should probably take a tip from Amandicon http://www.yupsicle.typepad.com/. She's got this whole blog thing down to a great science. I can be at the end of my last nerve and then wander off to Ms. A's blog and before you know it - Bang: milk shooting out my nose! You wouldn't think that a summary of a trip to the Farmer's Market or an observation of the Hamburger Helper's Helping hand having only four fingers would be that interesting - but she does it. In fact, she does it in a sort of Tina Fey crossed with Stephen Colbert way.

A blog should be like a favorite TV show. The kind of thing that you know is on at a specific time and you want to tune-in to see the next episode. The kind of thing that you can catch up on by watching re-runs and then talk your friends into seeing so they can get hooked. The kind of thing that motivates Target to start a line of clothing and plastic cups and dishes with.

With all of the blogging going on across the world today, I figure there must be 4, 345, 301 new entries today (mine put it just over that 300). I would be willing to bet that there are only 22 of them worth reading.

There; I posted an entry - now back to building the perfect web domain.

p.s. (or PowerPoint Ms. A)

Finally Ever After Ending

2007-04-09T09:16:00.000-05:00

April 2 - The day that Ms. Grutter starts work. It brings me more joy than most people get in their jobs; the chance to meet someone in public, provide a window of opportunity and then see them move forward.

Sometimes it takes half a year. Sometimes it takes a year and sometimes it takes FIVE years. I often think about one of my successful hires and how it took five years (and him moving to a competitor in the process) before finally hitting the right offer. He recently has been promoted to run a regional Health care Division with expanding opportunity and income.

POINT ONE: It takes time and patience - the stars must align.
REMEMBER: Don't lose track of the good ones.

POINT TWO: It has to be the right opportunity.
REMEMBER: Long Term Retention and Job Satisfaction come from a fit that is congruent to the values, goals and mission of the candidate.

I've been at this a while now (16 years) and there has never been a prospect that I couldn't eventually match to an opportunity. It wasn't always a match to the company I was recruiting for. There have been those "Pay It Forward" moments that still bring me this kind of job satisfaction. In fact, it happened just last week:

I was leaving a business meeting when I heard my name called out. I was greeted by a man with a huge smile on his face (as if he had been searching the building for me all morning). He said "I don't know if you remember me, but three years ago I was looking for a job and you helped me enormously". "Up to that point in my life I had never been required to take a job interview as I had only worked for one company". Then he stated, "you helped me connect with the right people and gave me some great advice which landed me this job and I couldn't be happier; thank you".

My three year investment had just paid me more than any 401k or IRA could have returned. You could have hit me with a baseball bat and it still would have been one of the best days I have experienced all month!

Recruiting holds some great surprises. Sometimes you never know the role you will play in helping someone find their Happy Ever After.

- T.B.

P.S. I am told by a number of people that I must have caught Rosie's on an "off day". In all Blog Fairness I think I will return to Greenville and try the food again. Who knows, maybe Ashley's replacement could make a good recruit!

copyright: 2007 Human Dimensions of Michigan

2007-03-02T11:27:00.000-05:00

Recruiting Comes Full Circle

The ballad of Ashley Grutter Continues

I receieved an e-mail from one of my collegues stating: "Ashley Grutter has you listed as a referral source, do you want to interview her?". I was just getting over the whole Nashville Star let-down and to tell you the truth I needed a little good news.

One week later, Ashley Grutter herself is sitting in our conference room and completing an official interview with me. It was great to hear why she hadn't continued on past the Finals for NS, and to be honest with you: "Their Loss is My Win!"

Turns out that this candidate is fantastic. She presents herself professionally, has a good head on her shoulders and is smarter than most College Graduates walking in the door. The best is yet to come as I plan on finding a spot for this talent (multi-talent) whose recruiting circle started on a sunny afternoon in Greenville, Michigan working at the home of the "Quicker Picker-Uper".

Oh, yeah; don't miss Ashley at a venue near you - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=34966544

A Country Music Crime

2007-01-13T09:54:00.000-05:00

Here is what Ashley posted on her website.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Just a note
As a regional finalist, we are not supposed to say one way or another whether or not we made it on the show until finalists are announced by the network. I hope everyone understands my silence. Thanks. I wish everyone the best of luck! -Ashley

________________________________________________________________

Well, it really is a crime that Ashley didn't make it to the Show!! America's Loss.
Make sure to catch her live whenever you get a chance.

...and I think I will send her my card again (just in case she starts looking for a day job)

I Should Have Given Future "Nashville Star" A Bigger Tip

2006-10-31T08:34:00.000-05:00

As you know, my constant Recruiting Mode is always on the look out for a Great Future Hire. About a month ago I visited "Rosie's Diner" for the first time. I can't say the food is that great; But the service is!

Our Waitress had "spark" and "warmth" and a smile bigger than Sand Lake. At the end of the meal I wind up the Recruiter Five questions and find out that she is Graduating in December from Ferris State. I was pretty proud of myself by the time I had written down my e-mail address and office phone (as my wife quipped: "This is the only time I let him give other women his phone number").

My biggest surprise was yet to come. The Mega Memory Method came in handy as I remembered the young lady's name: Ashley Grutter ("like gutter with an r" she stated)

Y'all need to remember that name too, as Ashley is on her way to stardom. Not as a future hire of mine, but as a Country Writer and Singer. And I'm here to tell you, she's got the pipes! You've got to visit her website ashleygrutter.com. and listen to her fabulous writing and quality voice. Then tune in and cheer on one of Michigan's own as she runs for the prize.

I'm not going to be waiting for her resume anymore - but I will enjoy her beautiful music.

Employment and 9/11

2006-09-11T08:44:00.000-05:00

Today marks Five Years since the United States was attacked both Physically and Emotionally. While the Media outlets take the opportunity to reflect on how it changed our nation, I would like to share a thought on how it changed the employment scene for the entire country.

There are some significant changes on my mind today.

1. In November of 2001, just 60 days after the event, an employment professional working for a national technology company had the first month in his twelve years of recruiting without a placement.

2. National companies began to tighten the employment screening process, in many cases re-defining their policies and procedures.

3. Professionals who had worked in their chosen field began to examine their motives for "why" they work. Many of them making career changing decisions.

Now, five years later the technology corridor has started to open up again and the opportunities and demand for technology-based employees has increased. The above-mentioned employment professional ended up leaving the national firm that he was with and opened his own placement company. He now employs a staff of six and has created a strong income for his family. More significantly he has printed his company mission statement on his business cards, which reads, "Bringing experienced professionals together with exceptional organizations, while honoring God."

So today I reflect on an industry that now requires:

Employment professionals to be Flexible and Pro-active

Employers who are more attentive to their employee's needs

An American workforce that should be focused on not just what they do, but why they do it.

Let's all use our hearts today in everything that we do.

2006-05-11T14:33:00.000-05:00

CONVERSATIONAL RECRUITING

2006-01-12T09:46:00.000-05:00

Original:2004/08/04 -
Source: Thomas Brown - Human Dimensions of Michigan

Conversation is the real secret to recruiting.

The magic of good recruiting networking is the art of conversation. As a tool, conversation – something we all have many years of experience with – can be honed and mastered. Ask yourself this obvious question: Right now, is conversation your strongest recruiting tool? How do you speak to others? Are your conversations and interactions professional and attractive? Think about your own interactions each day. Perhaps increasing your conversation’s professional and focused approach will attract others’ interest. Statistically, as adults, each of us has 100-150 conversations each day; if used properly, we can have many moments of strong recruiting in those 24 hours.

During conversation, most people are at ease; when at ease, they are less likely to respond with coolness and “close you down.” Herein stands your opportunity to truly connect with others.

CRITICAL SKILLS Your powerful words and connection in your relationships can prove to be a magnet to candidates. There are “critical skills” in conversation – ways to ask questions that come across as caring conversations, as opposed to a recruiting session. If there was one question “out there” with a powerful ability to connect to others and enter them into a conversation, wouldn’t you want to know about it? Well, there is such a question.

YOUR MOST VALUABLE CONVERSATIONAL QUESTION I’d like to share with you the one question that I have personally used that seems to really strike a chord with people – and gets them to think deeply. The question itself is so gentle that it usually gets a positive response. Use this question, and you will rarely get anything but continued conversation and interest. Let’s place this one important question in a typical conversation. Are you ready? Here it is:

"Jenny.... let me ask you a personal question: I'm just curious. What is the biggest concern you have in your position right now in relation to your future?” Jenny’s answer may be security, time, education for kids, retirement, and so on. Whatever her answer, my response is,

"That’s really important to you isn't it?" And then I go on. "Let me ask another question: If I could help you address that concern with a company and a position that I have know of, would you take a serious look at it and see if it would be something that might be right for you?"

The usual answer is "Sure" – Who wouldn’t take me up on this kind of a request?
At that point, it’s easy to walk forward with Jenny into a conversation about the company and the potential position she could fill. This valuable conversation question is proven and does work.Put it to the test. Be aware of your conversations with others. Try the "Conversation Recruiting Strategy” today. You’ll be wonderfully surprised at the results.

Thomas M. Brown - Human Dimensions of Michigan

Top Ten For Employment Success

2006-01-12T09:24:00.000-05:00

Source: Thomas Brown - Human Dimensions of Michigan
___________________________________________________________
We are in a new millennium and we need to redefine our concept of what determines acceptable work. Leading employers will not accept instances of mediocrity, average output and a small amount of commitment. Highly successful, continually evolving businesses require top performance from every individual.

As a Human Resource Professional for over 14 years I have studied the elements of success for the employment candidate. Why do some people receive job offers more often than others? What is it that they do different than the people who move on to the next job listing in the newspaper or the on-line ad? In my examination of the "Employees of the Future", I have documented the following "Top Ten" qualities to be the most in demand and the most rewarded with long term employment opportunities. Review, reach beyond and display these qualities, and the employers of your future will be knocking down your door.

1. Attentive/Proactive. Provide recommendations and services in anticipation of customer’s needs. Remember, those in which you serve, internally and externally, define customer.

2. Consultative. Give suggestions and alternative solutions. Stephen Covey’s advice of "seek a win-win conclusion" is needed in the workplace today more than ever.

3. Motivational. Inspire action through your attitudes and efforts. Leadership by example is highly desired and rare talent.

4. Accountable. Take responsibility for your actions. Establishing values and goals are great, but people who have also developed systems for tracking them are the employees of choice. We need to create value-driven personal and work lives.

5. Receptive. Open to change and diversity. A great philosopher once said, "everything must change". Employee’s of the future adapt to transitioning workplaces.

6. Resourceful. Use innovation and creativity to achieve goals. Author and Entrepreneur Professor Joline Godfrey says simply, "…people who solve problems get the most opportunities."

7. Unified/Cohesive. Support co-workers. You must embrace successes and make yourself accessible to others during times of need. The ability to work in teams is often sighted as one of the most valuable qualifications in the workplace.

8. Responsive. Actions are timely and consistent with the urgency and importance of the request. The reason most often sited for promotion within a company is a sense of urgency.

9. Flexible. Recognize the need for rules and guidelines, and realize that not every rule or guideline can anticipate every need. John Patrick, Chief Internet Technology Officer and creator of IBM’s ThinkPad® said it best; "You can achieve amazing things and have highly motivated, incredibly loyal people if they think management is willing to ignore the rules to get things done.

10. Informative. Provide knowledge and information that company leaders need to make sound decisions. Intra and Inter net’s are providing real time access and delivery of knowledge and information. Last one to the boss’ desk is a rotten egg!