Decisions

It’s a bit unusual for me to offer more than one post on a given day.

It’s drizzling today.

I don’t like rain (even though Atlanta desperately needs it) unless I can run in it. Rain makes me melancholy. And, drops in barometric pressure apparently conspire with other elements to give me migraines. Also, drizzling is just so pathetic. I prefer a torrent of rain! Or, just no rain. Why else might be the point of such inclement weather other than to really piss me off because we probably can’t have soccer practice (I don’t care for Bermuda grass – and, don’t get me started there). Soccer was meant to be played under any conditions. Just not in Atlanta – or where Bermuda grass, and poor soil conditions and highly suspect roots, prevail (what an incredible metaphor for shallow things).

Such dizzying ruminations aside, I am feeling surprisingly bouyant in this late morning (even if the word bouyant is creating some consternation with me and spell check).

One of my business coaching clients, Sanders McConnell, has only just left my offices. We are both pretty excited. We had a great break through – call it an epiphany, with regards to his evolving business model. The pieces snapped into place on this overcast morning that suddenly feels so bright and full of promise.

NOTE: The inestimable PJ Bain must be running late himself today for our appointment. Possibly due to the rain. However, the extra times is allowing for this impromptu post – and, it feels great. And, I shall look forward to seeing PJ because he, himself is such a terrific example of truth and light.

I have the coolest job in the world. All I have to do is hang out with my friends all day and help them make better decisions.

God gave the world the Beautiful Game of soccer. And, He has given me experience, and discernment, and opportunities to use them for good.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

Filed under: Business, Coaching, Entrepreneurs, Strategy , Business, Coaching, Entrepreneurs, Life

Twitter Daze

Talk about mis-tweeting people.

Sorry.

One of our analysts brought to my attention a recent exchange on Twitter. It’s a painful lesson in how NOT to use Twitter in this tough, or any, economy.

So… A  job applicant tweeted the following:

Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.

This tweet apparently caught the attention of Tim Levad, a channel partner advocate for Cisco (both clients). To which he apparently responded:

Who is the hiring manager? I’m sure they would love to know that you will hate the work. We here at Cisco are versed in the web.

I am advised that the person who dissed the Cisco offer quickly took their Twitter account private. However, Twitter search retained the record.

Another example of mis-tweeting (I made that up):

Remember a couple months ago when the PR guy’s tweet about Memphis came back to bite him? Be careful with what you post on Twitter, and social media in general.

Be part of the solution – and, not the problem.

Brian Patrick Cork

Filed under: Business, Coaching, Job Search, Technology , Job Offers, Mistakes, Twitter

Business DNA?

Below is a recent exchange I had with another recruiter. Her business is struggling, and she wonders what makes one person or company more successful than another.

Here is the exchange uncensored…

On 3/1/09 9:04 AM, Executive Recruiting Team wrote:

“Hi Brian, I read about your company in Inc.500 Magazine last night. I could not believe how quickly you grew your company, so I woke up this morning and decided to send you this e-mail. I statred an executive search firm 5 years ago. I have really done nothing to grow the company in those years and coasted with one client. I got married, had a child and built a house so that took precedent. I spent last year educating myself on how to grow the business because I do not have a sales background.

Today my company is not bringing in any money at all and my husband carrries the financial burden supporting this family on one income. I am ready to just give this up and go get a job somewhere because I don’t know if I even know how to grow this business. My husband will not let me give up because he says he believes in me. The cash situation is not good so there is not much I can put into the business at this point.

I wanted your advice Brian. I know your advice cost money but I really just want you to tell me something that can give me some type of motivation or hope not to quit. What is it that you have that I don’t? Why have you been able to grow your search firm to a multi million dollar company and I can not even get one client? I am really starting to feel angry and bad about myself! I hope you can shed some light and maybe open my eyes to something I am not seeing. If not, I understand and I wish you much more success.” - Sincerely, Marty Padilla

Hello Marty.

I suspect over the course of 2009 many recruiting companies will go out of business.

I also know that our company is unique in that all of our business is referrals-only.

But, the story behind how we started in the search business that led to all referrals is actually the key and a differentiater. I raised a lot of money for start-up and emerging culture companies in the late ’80’s and early ’90’s. I was an Investment Banker and Venture Capitalist. I helped many (now famous) people build their companies by raising “smart money” and helping them find the right management teams that would spend and leverage that money wisely. After a brief stint as a CFO I found many of these companies asking me to help them find their own financial and accounting leadership. It all grew from there.

Today, we serve clients that change the world around the globe. We do very good work, and guarantee our placements for a full year. That does not differentiate us so much as the fact that all of our fulfillment managers are “best-of-class” decision-makers in their own right. We are recognized Subject Matter Experts and Pundits across most disciplines. Most of us have build successful companies and organizations and our clients look to us for guidance. This is also why I am an executive and business coach.

We are also quite canny at introducing our clients to one another. This makes for very good business. As I our clients grow, they take us with them.

In the last few months we have launched an Accelerator where we have taken the next step and are growing companies that will then become clients.

A lot of it is luck. But, probably most of it represents a fairly contiguous path where I have always focused on best business practices, aided people around me with a servants heart, and have seen ever better rewards going on 20 years now.

Don’t lose hope. But, don’t hang on too long to something that is not working either.

Food for thought… If you think you have it in you to be a search and recruiting professional, consider signing on with another recruiting company like Robert Half International. They provide excellent training. They offer a base salary and good benefits. Its a great place to do good work for a reputable company and get a “paid education” that might set the foundation for your own business.

God always has a plan for us. But, we are in charge of the milestones.

I wish you nothing but the best.

Please stay in touch with me so I know how things are going for you.

By the way… If you don’t mind, I would like to show case this exchange in my Business Blog. I have a feeling it could help many others.

Be part of the Solution – and, not the Problem.

Brian Patrick Cork

Filed under: Business, Coaching, Recruiting, Success , Business, DNA, Recruiting, Recruiting Companies, Success

generational networking

I am coaching Boyd – an emerging thirty-something star at Coca-Cola.

To set the stage, allow me to remind you that this is the first time (era?) that four separate generations are working side-by-side (“new millenials” to baby boomers).

As I set up connections for Boyd within our business community, I want him (and others I coach) to always have key questions for the leaders I send him to.

In this case, I introduced him to Jim Bratton, a local entrepreneurial enabler in-and-around the Venture Capital community.

He has come up with a very good list of cross-generational questions:

1)  Tell me about the “Triple Bottom Line” and your new firm.
2)  Where do you see “green” business headed and how will the stimulus package impact it?
3)  Based on your experience, what’s the best way to get mentored on the job in the entreprenuerial world?
4)  Based on my background and skills, where do you think I should focus my efforts in building new skills and experience?
5)  Who else should I be talk to?

More later.

Brian Patrick Cork

Filed under: Articles By Brian Cork, Business, Career Path, Coaching, Entrepreneurs , Atlanta, baby boomers, Brian Cork, Business, Coca-Cola, Green, Networking, new millenials