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| Corporate Brochure |
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| Click Here to obtain an electronic copy of our corporate brochure. |
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| MEDIA » ARTICLES |
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| Entrepreneurs: Born or Made? |
| By Bill Holland |
| January 2012 |
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Having worked with entrepreneurs throughout my career and being one myself, I have often thought about the nature of entrepreneurship. I’m curious about what motivates them and what distinguishing qualities they possess. One question that often comes up is: are entrepreneurs born or made? It’s most certainly a debatable topic with no clear cut answer.
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| Winning the Job Interview |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| January 2012 |
Interviewing Guide  |
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Resumes open doors but interviews win jobs. If you really want to be a contender, it’s your performance in the interview that counts more than anything. It’s the most revealing element of the hiring process, during which you’ll be assessed not only on your background and credentials, but also your interpersonal skills. A good interviewer won’t just ask questions, they’ll ask the right questions (sometimes tough ones) and probe for details and evidence of your behaviours and accomplishments.
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| Show Me The Money! |
| By Bill Holland |
| January 2012 |
| Negotiation Guide |
There's an interesting contradiction that often emerges in the job search process.
It's never about the money. That is, until it's about the money. Why do so many job offer negotiations deteriorate once the subject of salary comes up?
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| Hiring Leadership Talent: 10 Steps to a Successful Hire |
| By Bill Holland |
| November 2011 |
| 10 Steps to a Successful Hire |
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Most small business leaders would agree that you can’t gamble when it comes to hiring executive talent. A fifty percent failure rate is often cited for new hires. Fifty percent! That’s a chance number. That’s like making a bet on a flipped coin. With the time and expense involved, as well as business setbacks due to lost productivity, are you willing to make a heads or tails hiring decision?
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| The IVMT Factor: Four Keys to Start-up Success |
| By Bill Holland |
| November 2011 |
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What does it take for a start-up to succeed? It can be complicated, with dozens of possible factors and various moving parts involved. And, no two start-ups are alike, so there is no guaranteed formula for success. Timing might be important for some, location for others. But above all the details, what are the overarching elements necessary for a start-up to emerge and soar?
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| When Do I Use a Search Firm? |
| By Bill Holland |
| November 2011 |
A key manager just resigned...... now what?
Many executive recruiters would suggest you immediately turn to a search firm to replace the manager. I don't agree. In my opinion, there are a number of approaches you can take to ensure you hire the best talent for the job. Using a search firm is one approach, and it’s an excellent choice in the right circumstances.
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| The MBO Factor: Creating Wealthy Managers |
| By Bill Holland |
| November 2011 |
| MBO Brochure |
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You’re job hunting and find yourself scrolling through job board postings. Since you need work, you apply to any and all that seem remotely fitting. From time to time you come across a posting that sounds perfect for you, almost too good to be true. It’s your dream job, or close to it, and you have all the qualifications they’re looking for. You enthusiastically reply with your best resume and cover letter, and you wait. Perhaps you follow up after a week or so. And then you wait some more.
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| Network Your Way to the Hidden Job Market |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| November 2011 |
| Job Search Networking Guide |
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You’re job hunting and find yourself scrolling through job board postings. Since you need work, you apply to any and all that seem remotely fitting. From time to time you come across a posting that sounds perfect for you, almost too good to be true. It’s your dream job, or close to it, and you have all the qualifications they’re looking for. You enthusiastically reply with your best resume and cover letter, and you wait. Perhaps you follow up after a week or so. And then you wait some more.
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| The Elusive Cold Call |
| by Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| November 2011 |
| Job Search Networking Guide |
Cold calling leaves many people just that – cold. Whether they dread it or simply don’t consider it a priority, the outcome is the same: it rarely gets done. We refer to it as the “elusive” cold call because the prospect always seems to be right there in front of us, but it’s slippery. For a variety of reasons, we let it get away, and with it, opportunities.
So, how to capture it? The easy answer is “just do it,” and we like that advice. But if you need more encouragement before picking up the phone, we’ve got that too. How’s this for rationale: cold calling works. One phone call is unlikely to connect you to the job you want, but ten might get you closer. Twenty might get you some meetings. Fifty might get you a couple of interviews. A hundred might get you that job. A job, in our opinion, is worth those hundred (or more) phone calls.
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| Top 10 Mistakes Executives Make When Searching for a Job |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| October 2011 |
| Top 10 Mistakes Executive Insights |
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When preparing a number of our career and talent management resources, we often compile lists of “Top 10 Mistakes.” People find these to be very helpful for a couple of different reasons. Perhaps they see themselves in some of the scenarios, and it’s somewhat of a relief to realize that it’s not just them who are susceptible to certain missteps. Or, they may recognize how easy it is to fall into certain traps, and having these reminders can keep them on track.
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| Business Lessons: Experienced & Learned |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| October 2011 |
| Business Lessons Executive Insights |
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Experience is the by far the best teacher. I love reading and encourage formal education, but true learning comes from doing. Knowing something is one thing. The true test is being able to put it into action towards some desired result. Take driving, for instance. You can learn about the rules of the road from a book and you can watch other people drive. But unless you get behind the wheel of a car, you won’t be a driver.
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| Get Interview Gold |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| October 2011 |
| Interviewing Guide |
Silver and bronze won’t do. If you want the job, go for the gold.
A great resume, effective networking, good headhunters - these will get you in the competition. But it’s your performance in the interview that will get you the job.
Interviews are indeed set up as a competition. Candidates are being judged on a number of elements, compulsory and otherwise. This includes technical skills as well as style and deportment. However, you likely won’t know what you’re up against, so you have to play your best, not just your "better than" game.
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| Working with Recruiters |
| By Bill Holland |
| June 2011 |
I’m a recruiter. I’m in the business of connecting with talent every day on behalf of my clients, searching for the right fit. With over 25 years in this business, I speak from experience when I say there’s a way to work effectively with recruiters. Many people, unfortunately, do not know how to do this.
So I’m going to tell you.
Take the call.
When I say “take the call,” I mean be open to talking to recruiters when they reach out. Obviously you may not be able to talk the instant they call or email. If you can’t talk to them privately and freely right away, schedule a time to get back to them.
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| Are you Synchedin with Linkedin? |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| June 2011 |
| LinkedIn Executive Insights |
With over 100 million users world wide, LinkedIn is a powerful social networking tool geared at business professionals. It’s expressly designed to help people build and maintain their network of professional contacts. Launched in 2003, it has been gaining momentum ever since. It’s also become quite a "household name" among business professionals especially in the last few years.
LinkedIn is particularly useful for employers and job seekers. Organizations look for and find talent through the service, while job seekers look for and find jobs. In addition to being an excellent source of talent and employment opportunities, LinkedIn is also a tremendous knowledge warehouse, with a great deal of information available about industries, companies and individuals.
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Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Engagement
“Making the Connection”
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| By Bill Holland |
| June 2011 |
As a talent management professional, it's my job to understand the mechanisms of employee engagement. As an entrepreneur with a personal interest in sustainability and social issues, I feel obligated to demonstrate and encourage corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Both employee engagement and CSR are widely discussed in the business world. While it’s no stretch to appreciate the obvious link between the two, I didn’t find much being written about it in the mainstream business news. So I decided to do some research, and commissioned Rob Gross, President of CR Strategies to prepare a white paper on making the connection between CSR and employee engagement.
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| 11 Ways to Develop Your Job Search Networking Savvy |
| By Bill Holland |
| May 2011 |
Networking may come naturally to some, but for many people it’s a mystery. They have some sense of the importance of networking, but they’re not sure why or how to engage in it.
The why is straightforward – networking creates relationships and opportunities. Whether you want to share information, grow your business or find a job, the process of networking connects you to people and prospects.
What about the how? What exactly is involved when it comes to networking?
It starts with attitude and gets momentum with action. As with any goal, being in the right mindset and taking consistent action are essential for success.
Here are 11 tips to help you start developing your job search networking savvy.
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| Professional Networking – What’s Possible? |
| By Bill Holland |
| May 2011 |
There seems to be much mystery around professional networking. What is it, exactly? How do you do it? And, what is the purpose? What is the “secret” to successful networking?
The fear and hesitation around professional networking might well be around this mystery. If you don’t know what you’re doing or why, then chances are you won’t be committed to the task.
Many people believe they should spend more time networking, they should make more of an effort, they should learn about new networking tools. However, relatively few follow through with these “shoulds.” As with all things “should,” just doing it relieves tremendous stress, guilt and fear. Procrastinating and not doing it while clinging to the “should” can be painful and unproductive.
Networking is about what’s possible. This is true whether you’re interested in business development, career advancement or learning and sharing information. What’s possible when it comes to growing your business? What’s possible when it comes to moving your career to the next level? What’s possible when it comes to increasing your knowledge and expertise?
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| Professional Networking – Execute Your Plan |
| By Bill Holland |
| October 2010 |
Success in professional networking comes from the execution.
Perhaps you’ve taken the time and effort to create a networking plan. But, have you done anything to put it into action? There’s no point in having a plan unless you work it.
Most people are okay when it comes to planning, but dreadful when it come to execution. Yes, thinking through what needs to be done and developing a workable plan is critical. Few, however, will actually execute against it.
Why?
There are practical and psychological reasons for failing to execute against a plan. It’s easy to get distracted with day-to-day activities and simply neglect what you’ve intended to do. But it might be more than that. Perhaps you have some mental roadblocks standing in the way. Given the importance of networking to your career, these obstacles – mental and otherwise – need to be addressed.
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| Professional Networking – Become an Expert |
| By Bill Holland |
| October 2010 |
The key to networking success is knowledge.
“Knowledge is power” is quite the cliché, but it’s exact.
No matter what your networking objectives, becoming a resource for others is an effective way to make quality connections. Knowing “stuff” that others want to tap into will compel them to connect with you. Whether you approach them or they find you, your expertise makes the introduction.
Many people don’t consider themselves true experts at anything. The idea of becoming an expert is out of the realm of possibility. How can you possibly learn everything there is to know about something?
But you can learn a lot, and relatively quickly. And more importantly, you can keep learning about it over time. You don’t have to be the world’s foremost expert on something to be an authority. Smarter, more experienced people will always be out there. Rather than considering them the competition, let them be your teachers.
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| Professional Networking – Make a Plan |
| By Bill Holland |
| October 2010 |
Networking is essential for achieving professional objectives in learning, business development and career advancement. Many professionals have some idea of what they want to accomplish in these areas. But, do they have an actual plan?
The process of creating a plan is both practical and motivational. You need the plan to give you some focus and direction. No matter what your overall networking objectives are, thinking about them in terms of smaller, manageable actions will make the process much less daunting.
The two most important things about a plan are (1) that you actually have one! and (2) that you do something with it. A plan doesn’t have to be sophisticated – in fact, simple ones are often better and more likely to be carried out. Whether you create an elaborate spreadsheet or capture your objectives on a napkin, it’s critical to get your plan in writing. Moreover, you have to take your plan and put it into action. Otherwise, what’s the point?
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| Professional Networking – Career Advancement |
| By Bill Holland |
| September 2010 |
Why should you consider professional networking for career advancement?
Networking opens the door to the “hidden job market”. A high percentage of hires are made through unadvertised positions through word-of-mouth networking. Since these opportunities aren’t advertised, there’s less candidate competition – and more chance that you’ll land the job you want.
If you want access to this hidden job market, you have to proactively network. Spend less time on the obvious and crowded space of job boards, and more time on making relevant connections. Regardless of whether it’s a job seekers’ market or an employers’ market, focus on building your network to get connected to the right people.
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| Professional Networking – Business Development |
| By Bill Holland |
| September 2010 |
Business development requires networking to build relationships with new customers and strengthen them with existing ones. Without any effort to connect with these people, business development would remain at a stand still.
Sure, there is some percentage of customers who will seek you out. But if you wait for business to come to you, you might as well be out of business. “If you build it, they will come” may sound fantastic, and it is just that – a fantasy. It’s impractical, if not delusional. Better to think of it as “if you build your network, they will come.”
Professional networking for business development has always been a must. But today, effective business development requires a new way of networking.
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| Professional Networking – Learning |
| By Bill Holland |
| August 2010 |
People network for any number of reasons – professional development, personal interest, socializing. Underlying any of these reasons is the concept of growth. Human beings are driven to grow, and networking helps facilitate that.
As a professional networker, I have come to identify three interrelated outcomes of professional networking: learning, business development and career advancement. Depending on your specific networking objectives, you may be more or less focused on business development or career advancement. No matter what your objectives, however, learning can help you achieve them.
Learning is a byproduct of networking. Every connection you make, every conversation you have, is an opportunity for learning, advancing your skill set and broadening your knowledge.
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| Professional Networking – Overview |
| By Bill Holland |
| August 2010 |
Networking is my business, and my business is growth. Every day I spend my time connecting with people to strengthen and grow my network. Decades of experience have taught me that networking for growth has three fundamental purposes: learning, business development and career dvancement.
Before exploring each of these three areas in subsequent articles, let’s first consider the “W5H” of networking. What is it? Why do it? Who do you connect with? When and where is it done, and most practically, how?
What is networking?
Simply put, a network is a system of interconnected objects. Whether we’re talking about computers, neurons or people, a network is made up of discrete entities that serve their own purposes. When joined together, these entities are capable of doing things that alone, they could not do. That’s what a network is good for – enhanced functionality.
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| Calibrate Your "Talent Positioning System" |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| March 2010 |
"In 200 metres, turn left."
"In 500 metres, take exit B."
"Destination reached."
Many of us rely on our GPS to get us where we’re going. Enter your start point, enter your destination, and voila! Your route is planned.
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| Resolution Redux |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| March 2010 |
So it’s already mid-February. Do you know where your new year’s resolutions are?
Are you inching toward your goals for the year? Or have your resolutions, career and otherwise, started to slip away? Most of us give up on our new years resolutions far too easily. Don’t be a statistic!
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| Time Out For Checking References |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| March 2010 |
Speaking to references gives you an excellent opportunity to learn more about your candidate, their work style, accomplishments and motivations.
Who should you speak to? Candidates will likely serve up a number of references for you to contact. Take a critical look at who they are and what relationship they have to your candidate.
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| Referees Call The Shots |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| February 2010 |
We know referees in sports have the authority to make important decisions that affect the outcome of a game.
Referees call the shots.
They also blow the whistle.
Job referees - or references - are a lot like sports referees. What they say to your prospective employer can make the difference between winning the job and losing it.
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| You're Fired! A One Person Show. |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| January 2010 |
Bravo. Yep, you heard me. Congratulations on being fired.
I don't mean to be flip, but for whatever it's worth, this show has had its run and now it's time to start auditioning for your next gig.
Directors will often give notes to actors to help improve their performance and contribution to the show overall. Be your own director, and give yourself notes. What events led up to your termination? Was it inevitable or could you have done something differently? And how did you handle the termination meeting itself? What impression are you leaving? No matter what transpired up till now, exit the stage with grace.
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| Career Truth or Dare! |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| January 2010 |
It's time to be honest with yourself about your career. It's time to be brave.
Without being needlessly cynical or naively delusional, how do you really feel about your job?
Do you hate it? Instead of brooding over how much your job sucks, try to identify what it is about your job that doesn't work for you.
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| Do You Know Where Your Employees Are? |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| January 2010 |
| Take a look around. Do you know where your employees are? Has everyone made it back from the holidays, or has the absenteeism started early this year? For those who have made it back into the office, how do they feel about being back? Do you sense any "presenteeism?" This refers to employees who are physically present but mentally MIA. Bums in seats with brains elsewhere. |
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| Are You Ready for a Career Storm? |
| By Bill Holland and Anita Shuper |
| January 2010 |
| It's snowing out there. And it's cold. You've got your winter coat, and your boots and gloves. You've got snow tires on your car. These are the normal things you prepare yourself with to brave the winter weather? |
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| Taking Ownership of Your Career |
| December 2009 |
| You might own a car and a home. Perhaps you own a dog, a vintage wine collection or a time share. Maybe you own a bicycle, a set of power tools or a precious heirloom. Ideally the things we own should give us a sense of pleasure, comfort, pride and excitement. Shouldn't you feel the same way about your career? |
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| Hire or No Hire |
| December 2006 |
| As Baby Boomers start to retire, the workforce will shrink, directly translating to a shrinking pool of Top Talent. In the coming years there will be less talent for continually growing and expanding companies and, according to McKinsey & Co., now is the time to act if you want to get ahead of your competition. Now is the time to wage the war for talent. |
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| Engaging Employees and Reaping the Rewards of Retention |
| August 2006 |
| The life-blood of any organization is the people behind it. So, as a manager, how do you keep your champions playing at the top of their game for longer periods? How do you engage your employees and retain their talents for your organization for years to come? |
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| Recruiting Intelligence - Pulling Out All the Stops |
| July 2006 |
| A key position has suddenly become vacant in your department. As the hiring manager, you are responsible for filling it in a timely way, and the expectation is that you find the absolute best talent for the job. Do you have the recruiting intelligence to recruit the intelligence? |
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| Behavioural Interviews – Your Guiding STAR |
| July 2006 |
| Candidates are becoming increasingly interview savvy. With readily available career resources, particularly on the internet, candidates are better prepared than ever for today’s competitive hiring process. They can easily learn about your industry, company, and even the specific type of position to which they’re applying. When they show up for an interview, they’ve likely done some research and practiced their answers to potential questions. |
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| Survival of the Fittest |
| June 2006 |
| There can be only one World Cup Champ. The winner holds that honour for four glorious years. In today's dynamic job market, holding a Champ for four years in your organization is indeed a triumph. Just like the World Cup, it might take a grueling round-robin tournament to establish the Champ – but the victory is well worth the effort. |
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| The World is Your Talent Oyster |
| April 2006 |
| With oceans of talent out there, it’s time to fish beyond the backyard barrel. Cast your net wide to catch the bounty, without letting the savvy ones in your home-spawned school get away. It may take a swim upstream and more management “mussel” to implement global HR practices, but don’t clam up now! The reality and necessity of international human capital management is here to stay. |
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