Lion vs. Gazelle …

The Clock and The Compass

by Jon Bartos

“How to keep your top producers ecstatic about working for you and your Organization”…

I had tried with all my heart to make it one of those weeks where I could be proud of.  Yet - I found in the wake of the week that I needed to have perspective again, and revitalize when I got fatigued.  There are moments along the staffing path you must reach back into the past and remember past successes, especially when you may feel the wanton volume of your myriad of focal points honing in around you.

The most important aspect of staffing resilience is perhaps the ability to get…

It all began almost 9 years ago.  In 2003 at the end of that year just coming into the final leg of my final 2 years journey in college and looking at options in the future, I looked to an incredible option that opened it's doors by taking on an internship for an ADT Security Alarms Dealership - Rhino Security Services. I had made the decision to explore HR and found it to be to my liking - never realizing that this would open vast doors along the way.

When I began this…

Before we begin, I would like to thank all the readers who have followed me here over the last couple of years; and say that the best opinions are still to come. I am currently looking at a couple tools, when the analysis is complete; you will be the first to hear of it right in this very blog!

I would also like to thank Evan Carmicheal for the heads-up that I had been included in the October list “The Top 100 Social Media Leaders to Follow on Twitter”. I am humbled to be included again…

I am completely the wrong person to be writing this blog as I never celebrate any successes and instead think about ‘what’s next’, but I hear celebrating is supposed to be a good thing.  So here goes with my hypocritical blog.

In all seriousness I can see the value in taking stock of one’s achievements. In this day and age where all we hear is negativity it can be difficult to actually get a grasp of your achievements as nothing ever seems to be good enough.  I always feel…

Do you wake up on Monday morning dreading the week ahead or do you pop out of bed with a feeling of zest and vigor? Do you have the same sense of pride about your company that you do with your dog or children? Can you walk away at the end of the work day on Friday and know you made a difference?

These are all vital questions to ask yourself when you evaluate your current company, and the role you play in its success. Your job and your company should be a…

Never, ever, think outside of the box...because your...decision may haunt you later.…

First off, let me start by saying Happy New Year.

So the festive season is at an end and hopefully you have had your fill of fine food and wine, Christmas and the New Year has enabled you to spend quality time with your friends and family. Now we have the joy of looking ahead and getting back to reality, with this in mind we start to think of what we want from this year, our hopes and dreams i.e. winning the lottery and winning the euro millions back to back!!

And then reality…

I looked back and pulled the Bow up to my ear and pulled back the string as far as it would go, it was a bright sunny day in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with my heart and mind tuned to nature as never before for 2 weeks of fun.  As I pulled the bow string back I let fly the arrow that found it's mark…

I’ve seen it before, but didn’t recognize it for what it was at the time.

On my own at an early age and scrambling one month for a fourth roommate to split rent, serendipity

delivered a guy, let’s call him Will, who had that “spark” so hard to identify with when the uncertainty of daily sustenance overshadows all else.

At the time, three teens living in a rented “Animal House” of sorts, not unlike I imagine sorority houses dotting the lanscape back in the…

It is without a doubt one of the most inspiring stories of triumph over a life circumstance that I have heard.  Tonight I went and saw an incredible movie.  Dolphin Tale - see trailer here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdpg9NsgEaI

In December 2006, in…

Following on from last weeks post, "Send us your resume and we will send you a cow!", there was some concern expressed in some of the comments as to how to manage the volume of response and disapointed candidates. Earlier this year I was involved in supporting a…

This was the wise advice of an old manager of mine at Solutions Partners a few years back, when the economic circumstances hit close, after my hours were cut when the permanent job orders that were 70% of my employer's business at Solutions Partners became less and less in demand.  It was on a bright and sunny day walking in Los Gatos, with Nathan North who provided such wisdom at the time, and said the economic storm will pass and "When in Doubt: Enjoy the Journey" - I couldn't help but…

In the USA most will agree, regarding people and characters whom we know or know of--few have the determination, persistence and patience demonstrated by Wile E. Coyote—in pursuit of his goal—catching the Roadrunner.

We in the business of recruitment, who want to excel in the discipline, among other traits should take notice of Wile E. Coyote’s determination, persistence and patience regarding catching the…

I couldn't help but smile as I drove home today, blessings abounded as my belief in incredible possibilities in my staffing realm had all but hit me in incredible bursts.  A 4 hire day.  Something as magical as that I have had privilege of being a part of before in April, but to do it in this way well it was just a sweet little icing on the cake to a day I knew would end with some interesting moments, while I was sourcing the day away helping partner recruiters nail thier placements - my job…

This is a blog that has been waiting to get out for some time.  There are many definitions about what defines greatness in this day and age - specifically about what makes for recruiting greatness - it is a topic that I find interesting.  There are many definitions that one could look at, but at its fundamental core there is a differentiating factor - is it number of fills, is it ones grasp of boolean or superb negotiation skills, is it the ability to close difficult candidates, is it the…

Does my question sound inane, or is there something to it?

 

"In Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers he points out that luck plays a big part in success, for example, having the luck of being born in the right place, or at the right…

Looking at my career I've taken my fair share of risks and have gotten rewarded for some great successes because of those risks. I've also failed after taking on some risky ideas, but in the end learned more from the failure and ended up encouraging me to take on even more risks. Taking my first risk was the hardest risk to take, moving to San Francisco from Chicago…

I have to tell you, I’m done with the “new normal.” Let’s get back to business! It was in this state of mind that I recently attended a Colorado CEO Forum where I had the good fortune to hear speaker/author/trainer/coach Jack Daly. What a refreshing perspective he offered on the opportunities for robust growth in any market.…