Need to Find an Executive

[wdfifteen]

For the first time in 30 years of business I need to hire someone for an executive position and I don't have people lining up at the door. I need to find a person with very specific skills - essentially a mini-me so I can finally retire. This is like finding a needle in a haystack. What is the best way to go about finding this person? I know I can spend a lot of money on agencies - are they effective?

[1990C4S]

What field?

[stomachmonkey]

My SIL owns her own recruiting agency.

All she does is C level.

I needed to find someone with a very specific skill set.

Scoured linked in for a couple of days using specific keywords.

Guy I landed on was perfect.

Neither of us work for that company going on 5 years now but still do work together every month or so.

I help him with his clients, he helps me with mine.

[nvr2mny]

I've had good luck with finding exec level positions in my co. with a exec specific headhunter. We negotiated an upfront price (like 5-10% of annual salary, NOT 30+) and they've found me 3 keepers in the last 2 years. Fortunate I guess.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

For the first time in 30 years of business I need to hire someone for an executive position and I don't have people lining up at the door. I need to find a person with very specific skills - essentially a mini-me so I can finally retire. This is like finding a needle in a haystack. What is the best way to go about finding this person? I know I can spend a lot of money on agencies - are they effective?

Why would anyone trust a person that condones situational ethics in a position of trust? That person can only be considered to have less than a stellar code of ethics themselves. There is no two ways about it.

[berettafan]

You don't want a mini-you, you want someone BETTER than you!

Get your reporting metrics set up now to ease the transition into retirement.

Consider personality analysis to avoid personality conflicts after you leave and can't keep constant control.

[Bowling]

What skills are you looking for? Type of business? Location? I know of someone in Ohio, feel free to PM me.

[wildthing]

No one to promote from within? Already knows the business...

It could go either way. Starbucks changed CEOs one time and didn't go well. Schultz had to come back. On the other hand, Costco seems to have gotten it right.

Succession planning is hard but necessary.

[aschen]

People tend to gravitate towards candidates with skills similar to their own. What is usually preferable is to to look for somebody with similar ethics/philosophy/integrity but with complementary skill sets.

Or so a business teacher once told me (the class)

[legion]

Originally Posted by aschen

People tend to gravitate towards candidates with skills similar to their own. What is usually preferable is to to look for somebody with similar ethics/philosophy/integrity but with complementary skill sets.

Or so a business teacher once told me (the class)

This.

Also realize that someone else will make different decisions, but they might be just as successful as you, or--gasp--MORE successful!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

STFU

Originally Posted by tabs

Why would anyone trust a person that condones situational ethics in a position of trust? That person can only be considered to have less than a stellar code of ethics themselves. There is no two ways about it.

Excellent advice

Originally Posted by berettafan

You don't want a mini-you, you want someone BETTER than you!

[wdfifteen]

Maybe I'll try linked in. I need a content manager ( social media, marketing, and print) and editor for a niche magazine brand. The person needs to know the subject matter inside and out, and then know how to create and sell media products.
The candidate needs a strong ability to explain technical matters in plain English. To prepare for the job the person will have to read or needs to have read my entire library of books plus a few hundred period magazines.



This is my corporate history collection.



This is the product history collection.

Gotta go to a meeting back later.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

STFU

How intolerant of you Shaun. I am offended by your aggressive behavior.

[jorian]

Equity stake for the right person if you don't want to repeat the process every 3-5 years.

[Seahawk]

Parts of Ohio have some very well run County and State economic development agencies. The Dayton area especially. They are an excellent source of knowing the talent in their area and beyond.

We use them all the time for my company in NC. In fact I had a meeting last week with the 2nd in command of NC econ development about finding the right candidate for an effort next year.

I recommend starting their. If they can't help they can funnel you to the right company that places executives.

[daepp]

Originally Posted by tabs

Why would anyone trust a person that condones situational ethics in a position of trust? That person can only be considered to have less than a stellar code of ethics themselves. There is no two ways about it.

WTH - was this for a different thread?

To the OP - I'm listening intently. I need to do much the same.

[wdfifteen]

In looking at reviews it doesn't appear that the for-profit places like Monster etc are very cost effective. I did try to make a job posting on Linkedin and before she was finished screeching in my ear I was ready to reach through the phone and slap the "customer service" twit.
I asked, "Are there any fees in addition to the initial fee?" She answered, "Not that I know of." I asked her to connect me with someone who might know and she got real snotty with me.

I my wife suggested that the land grant colleges here in the Midwest were likely to have someone who meets our requirements. They all seem to have employment services. I've contacted Ohio State. I will report my experiences for those who are interested.

[pavulon]

Would be concerned about any sporting a newly minted MBA. YMMV.

[jyl]

In most industries, LinkedIn is a very effective way to reach people.

The more niche your business is, the less likely that a single agency or headhunter will have a candidate.

You might consider if the job can be split into two roles. You seem to be looking for 1) a sales/marketer, 2) a writer/editor, 3) an uber-geek in a rather obscure/unfashionable topic, 4) lives in or will relocate to your area, 5) not already happily employed. Draw the Venn diagram, that's a rather tiny intersection.

How many people with attributes 1 2 4 5 will have read that 80 linear feet of stuff, or can/will do so, in their spare time, in less than a decade? Do you plan to pay them for a year just to read full-time?

[HardDrive]

I'm in Columbus. Masters in Management. Currently a web developer for a big bank. I love old trucks, cars, tractors (I'm big into steam power). For God sake hire me before I lose any more hair.