Employee Recruiting: Kicking it Up a Notch

Imagine the following: You are happily working at your desk. The phone rings. You pick it up to hear an unfamiliar voice say “Hey (your name).” “Google is interested in interviewing you for a job.” You are flattered, but say “Thanks, but I really enjoy working here at (your business name).” The voice then responds by saying, “I understand you love your job, but I will give you $600 just to interview.” “Interested now?” Well it may really happen to you, sooner than you think. But why would someone pay just to interview you? Let’s step back for a minute.

For a company to be successful, it is critical to have the right people. Ask any executive “What makes your business special?” and chances are most will reply, “Our People.” Some are genuine in stating this, while others just like to pay lip service to the masses. Still, if people are the most important asset that a company has to offer, it stands to reason that a significant investment should be made in finding and keeping the best available talent. (Think Southwest Airlines) How does one do this? Traditionally this has been done via headhunters, word of mouth, classified ads, online job boards, or recruiting / job fair events. Well the times they are a ‘ changing.

NotchUp.com is a new site where people can post their professional information confidentially. Prospective employers then search for the right candidates, and offer money in exchange for an interview. The site claims to be designed for people who are 1. happy at their current job, 2. Good at what they do, and 3. Not looking for another job. Talk about turning things upside down. Surprisingly, there is a potential for employers to actually save money by using the service through a reduction in payouts to professional recruiting firms. Companies like Yahoo (who runs HotJobs), Google, and Barracuda Networks are listed as clients on the NotchUp site. Certainly this is a remarkable approach to employee recruiting.

Why do I think this is a good idea? First, I love the fact that it is totally different. This is a new approach - a purple cow. It will get people talking and it has the potential to change the recruiting game completely. Second, I am a firm believer that one should invest in good talent. It is the best marketing tool available. If it takes a few hundred bucks to get time with a top level prospect, spend it. As Jim Collins says, “Get the right people on the bus.” Third, the idea that employers are seeking out the happily employed, means that smart employers will want to go an extra mile to retain good talent. I wish this would have been around a few years back when I was downsized out of a job. At that time, I went on so many interviews, that had I of been paid for them, I would now be retired - or at least rich.

It will be interesting to see if “Money Talks” when it comes to finding the best and brightest. What do you think of this concept of paying people for interviews? If your phone rings, will you be interviewing for dollars?
Thanks to Heather at CIO.Com for the article that led me to NotchUp.

Recruiting Firm Pays Candidates for Job Interviews - CIO.com - Business Technology Leadership

I blog for a living…

Ask me on Monday what I do, and I will answer “I blog for a living.” Starting next week, I will be in charge of Marketing for Lucrum, a Cincinnati based Information Technology consulting firm. I am leaving Hafenbrack Marketing with a head full knowledge, and countless fond memories. Hafenbrack is truly the best place I have ever worked. Everyone, and I mean everyone, at Hafenbrack is wonderful. It is not easy to leave, but the opportunity with Lucrum is one that I just could not pass up. I will be tasked with numerous traditional marketing objectives, AND more importantly with utilizing blogs, wikis, podcasts, and social media to take the company’s marketing in an entirely new direction. More on the new opportunity soon. For now, I would like to publicly thank Dave Hafenbrack, and everyone at Hafenbrack Marketing for making every day I was there great. I will miss you all. Luckily, you will be able to keep up with me here and elsewhere in cyberspace. Not to mention that I will still make my presence known regularly in Dayton. Wish me luck.

LÛCRUM Inc

What’s Up Docs? Google Uploader

Yet another step closer to the long awaited “GDrive” Google released a tool to ease the process of uploading documents from your computer desktop to Google Docs. The new tool allows one to drag and drop word processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations right into your Google Docs account. The types of files you can upload is limited, but the big 3 are there. Hopefully this service will continue to expand to include all file formats - creating a searchable, sharable, and portable online repository for important documents. While Google Docs is not as robust as its desktop competitors, it has all the basics…for free. Definitely worth a look, and this uploading application only makes using the tool better.

Google Docs Uploader

Pizza, Dayton Style…

I love to eat pizza. All kinds of it. As an undergrad at Wright State, I worked at Flying Pizza, where they were kind enough to let me take home a big box of slices every night. I lived on the stuff and love it to this day. As it happens, Southwestern Ohio is home to an astounding number of great and very different pizza joints - New York Style, Deep Dish, Gourmet, Dine In, Carry-Out, and even Dayton Style. Flying Pizza, LaRosas, Pizza Factory, Joe’s, Marion’s, Cassano’s, Dewey’s, and on and on. Not to mention the usual list of national pizza chains that blanket the area. Checking out BoingBoing today, and came across a story about types of pizza by region. Viewing this as vital information. I felt obliged to dig deeper. So off to the site Slice I went. The story is pretty good, discussing how “pizza” differs across the country. My search then led to a site called Serious Eats - where as I scanned the comments, I came upon a discussion of “Dayton Style” pizza. This is the thin, crispy style which is usually cut into squares. Great reading as people discuss something we take for granted round these here parts. What makes Southwestern, Ohio great? Pizza is definitely high on the list for me. Boy am I hungry. Luckily, we are having Flying Pizza (New York and Sicilian style for the record) for lunch today for my going away party here at Hafenbrack. What Pizza joint do you love?

For those questioning the “Gary Sandy” thumbnail on the homepage, visit Marion’s.

Serious Eats: Talk: How many different kinds of regional variations of pizza exist?

Voices: Episode 2 - David Esrati

The name of the podcast is Voices, and frankly there are not many people I know more vocal than David Esrati. David, never at a loss for words, sat down to speak with me about what makes Dayton great,

Read more

“Get Midwest”…Do you get it?

A lot of discussion on Dayton MostMetro and on Esrati about the new “Get Midwest” campaign by the Dayton Development Coalition. This marketing campaign is designed to attract businesses to locate in the region, thus creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. Some argue that Get Midwest is too vague. Some say too safe. Others that it is right on. Read more on the campaign on the DDC website. With all the debate, I thought what a great poll question. Get Midwest - Do you get it?

Dayton MostMetro.com - Dayton Topics

Phone it in: Goog-411

Google is great. You can use it to find just about any piece of information ever produced. But, what is one to do when information is needed and a computer is not handy? Simple, just call in your search. Dial 1-800-GOOG-411, and get connected to whatever business, organization, or service you are searching for. Google will literally run a search on the keywords you provide, and then read back the results to you one by one. This is really handy for people who spend a lot of time behind the wheel - think sales people, service reps, business trainers. Want to find the nearest Pizza place, hospital, hotel, or book store? Simply speak the city where you are located followed by the name of the business, service, or product you need and voila. Unlike typical 411 services,there is no charge for the service, and just like a normal Google search, you get multiple results. If your phone is web enabled, Goog 411 can even map directions for you on the spot. This, along with Jott.com are hardwired into my speed dial. I have been using this service for months now, and can’t remember life without it. This service further emphasizes the importance your web site’s ability to perform well in search. On the web, people are not prone to go more than a few pages deep to find something. This opportunity seems limited until you consider the phone. How many listings will someone sit through until they decide to make a choice over the phone? One? Three? Seven? Something to think about as you consider your site’s search performance. Give Goog-411 a try.
1-800-GOOG-411: Find and connect with local businesses for free from your phone.

Are You Curious? Seth is.

This video comes from Seth Godin’s blog. It is a 5 minute discussion on curiosity. I am an ever curious person, and this really resonates with me. I encourage you to watch this short video. Seth Godin writes about marketing, but speaks about life and a changing world view. One of the points made about curiosity is that it is a process - a continual progression of finding one’s voice. I love this. I have found myself in and out of trouble throughout life as a result of curiosity. I have no regrets about this part of my personality. As a young boy in school, teachers regularly had to “shut me up,” because I was curious. In my first “real job,” to the horror of my peers, I would dare to question policies I believed to be unfair. Sometimes I was right, sometimes wrong - always I learned something. In working towards my MBA, I would often ask question after question - trying to discern something deeper than the surface. I loved to debate with professors and peers alike, respectfully and primarily out of curiosity. While there were a few others like me, the feeling of countless eyes rolling as I raised my hand was palpable. I did not care. I was curious. I did not want to simply read the text, take notes and get home early, just to get a piece of paper. Rather, I wanted to challenge my own fundamental beliefs to better understand them. I am curious and wildly unapologetic for this character trait. I am steadily learning that it is wise not to suppress this urge, as I was forced to do in grade school, but rather to amplify it. Turn it up to 11. Now, day by day, I am finding my own voice. Thanks to Seth for inspiring me yet again. Watch the video. I am curious, what are your thoughts on curiosity?

Seths Blog: Curious

Remembering Dr. King in Dayton

Today I was privileged enough to march in Dayton’s Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. I was joined by thousands of others who braved the cold to pay tribute to Dr. King, and the impact he had made on our world. Dayton has a unique event featuring four separate marches, one from each direction, which converge simultaneously on Courthouse Square in the heart of the Downtown. The marches are then followed by a rally with songs and speeches by local and state leaders. This year’s featured speaker was none other than Governor Ted Strickland. He delivered a great speech - urging the crowd to overcome fear and further Dr. King’s vision of peace and harmony. The event closed with the crowd joining hand and singing “We Shall Overcome.” It was truly moving to see so many people, united to remember such a great man. This was the first time that I have participated in the march, and in spite of the bitter cold, I was delighted to have taken part. I got a great picture of Mayor McLin and some other great shots from the event. I even managed to get my picture taken with the Governor - although the bitter cold seemed to freeze a deranged look on my already challenged face. Oh well, a bad picture with the Governor is better than no picture at all.

Check out today’s events. If you were in attendance, what did you think of the event? Happy Birthday Dr. King.

U23D4FUN

The list of concerts I have been to is long, but surprisingly does not include U2. Sadly, I have never been able to catch the “Irish Band from Dublin City, Ireland” live and in person. I hope to one day rectify that, but in the mean time - good news. U2 is releasing U23D, an IMAX production capturing a show at the Luxor in Las Vegas from the band’s most recent tour. (I think a friend of mine went to this show, so I am interested to get feedback on the movie versus the actual concert.) Thus far, the movie version of the concert is getting excellent reviews. U2 has such an amazing catalog of songs that one would count on the music being solid, but apparently the visual experience is, to paraphrase from Bono, “even better than the real thing,” or at least pretty close. The film is set to be released on January 23rd. A trip to this film may prove to be a good Valentines Day present for the Mrs. - also a long time fan of the band.
Listening Post: U2 3D Brings Hyperreal Arena Rock to the Multiplex
U2 3D

Next Page »