John Sumser Presents The Recruiting Roadshow » Atlanta

Jason (JD) Davis and RecruitingBlogs.com

johnsumser — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:08:26 +0000

(January 18, 2008) Jason Davis and RecruitingBlogs.com are the first charter sponsors for the entire 2008 Recruiting Roadshow™ series. They join Don Ramer and Arbita, the first underwriters as pivotal financial and logistical supporters.

In a move that simultaneously validates his encouragement of ongoing professional education and the development of professional online community, Jason Davis will provide financial support, at the sponsorship level for the Recruiting Roadshow. As a part of the arrangement, participants in Roadshow events will be given opportunities to join the community at RecruitingBlogs.com

RecruitingBlogs.com is now the official online community of the Recruiting Roadshow™. With nearly 1,000 members, RecruitingBlogs.com is the fastest growing online network for recruiters around the planet. The network is built on the Ning platform and includes a variety of methods for interaction and collaboration between Recruiters.

Jason Davis, who founded RecruitingBlogs.com, is a serial entrepreneur and long time Recruiter. Currently, Jason wears several hats. He keeps his fingers in the Recruiting game making a placement here and there. He specializes in the acquisition and sale of Recruiting-related domain names. He is the charismatic heart of the RecruitingBlogs.com community. He is worrking long and hard on behalf of The Fordyce Letter (www.fordyceletter.com) as well.

The man is everywhere.

Wherever Jason lands, things start happening. At his best organizing a party, he has single-handedly built the Recruiting Industry’s very own Charity Poker tour. One thing is for sure. Things are going to get really interesting now that Jason is involved. Thank you, Jason. Your support and generosity will provide a profound foundation for the Recruiting Roadshow™.

Jason Davis Speaks

johnsumser — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:58:16 +0000

In the fall, Shally interviewed Jason. Thanks to Steven Rothberg for pointing to this video

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7039307133408613852&hl=en]

Thank Yous

johnsumser — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:53:52 +0000

Thank Yous

(January 02, 2008) I want to start the year by thanking people who helped with the last one. The risk in doing this publicly is that I have missed some critical moments and people (pleading age related memory loss). So, expect a small update tomorrow and accept my apologies today.

The people on this list made 2007 memorable and interesting. Often, they are writers of blogs. Sometimes, they are industry figures. Some are family, some are friends and some are fellows of the road. Theuy all helped, in their way, to shape the roadshow and my adventures.

Thank you.

Abigail Tremble for Recruiting As Master Problem Solvers
Al Gore who warmed the audience up for me in Canada
Alan Lee for Mastering the Art of the 4 B’s: Build, Buy, Borrow and Boost
Auren Hoffman (Rapleaf) for continuing inspiration
Ami Givertz, the creative source for the last half of 2007
Anna Brekka (Kennedy) the embodiment of hospitality
Art Koff old dog with new tricks
Barbara Disco and Diego Chacon
Bill Bargas Mr. Diversity.com willing to bet on the untested Roadshow
Bill Krumbein firm hand on the shoulder
Bill Vick ever growing center of the Recruiting Universe
Brian Howlett zen as it art
Bridget Sumser setting the pace for personal transformation
Café Japan noodles for the soul, organic sushi
Chad Sowash strength requires endurance
Chris Russell the industry’s new energy source and this
Colin Kingsbury constant correspondent
Colleen Gildea foundational issues
Dave Mendoza, bulldoza in a China shop, constant offers of support
Dave Winer, constantly improving the visionary curmudgeon archetype. He is one of the few who can actually change an industry.
David Hurst personally made the industry more competitive, envisioned the industry day
David Manaster (ERE) early support of the Roadshow
Denise Court, overseer of all thing Marketing at itzbig. The first charter underwriter of the Roadshow
Dennis Smith Texas hospitality and spokesmodel for large families for hosting Dallas
Don Ramer (Arbita) for providing a solid foundation in a time of change. He’s the backbone of the roadshow.
Did I mention My friend Don Ramer?
Doug Berg (hotgigs) for longstanding support of the Minneapolis network
Doug Geinzer (RecruitingNevada) who is running the show in Los Vegas
Doug Reis modeling musical independence
Everyone at itzbig
Frank Mulligan eternally gracious about our missed meeting in San Francisco
Frank Speer (RCI) for logistics and love in Atlanta
Gerry Crispin provider of routine inspiration
Greg Garrison the best cold caller I know
Hank Stringer inspirational even when hobbled (itzbig ger than you think)
Heather Bussing for legal and less tangible support (Empire Law School)
Heather Hamilton continues to define effective recruitment blogging
Helen from CareerTV made the conversation interesting
Ira Wolff really gets the Perfect Labor Storm (so should you)
Janet Sun is the marketing genius at experience
Jason Davis, Mr. Charisma
Jason Goldberg for Recruiting.com and true hands-off management
Jeff Hunter source of John Chaisson
Jennifer Marcy graceful execution in a windstorm
Jeremy Langhans on principle
Jim Hammock, the rock, why I crave a red Porsche
Jim Stroud, Mr Wonderful
Joel Cheesman, Mr Neutral Charisma, industry workhorse
John Bell (boxwood), who knew that the association world was so good for job boards
John Chaisson constant source of inspiration
John Tarrant zen mastering
Jorrit Blok the two best meals of my life and an expanding horizon line
Josh Kahn, Minneapolis could not happen without him
Julian and Shannon
Karen Mattonen need I say more
Kate Sumser ever mellow in a sea of chaos, willing to immerse in Japan
Kay Meckes
Keith Robinson
Ken Hedburg, tirelessly pushing the assessment window
Kent Plunkett for the IPO
Kevin Grossman, helping bring the industry into the 21st Century
Kevin Strange, decades have improved him.
Kris Leonard for a great time in Chicago (EMA)
Krist Jake
LinkedIn changed my way of thinking
Mark Hornung, Mr. Employment Branding
Martin Birnbach full momentum recruiting. He exudes charisma
Martin Snyder smart support of Dallas and evangelist of roadshow things
Matt Martone for this and everything else. Very early to Roadshow sponsorship
Matt Payne, Jobster’s accounts receivable guru
Maureen Sharib who is becoming a force of nature
Michael Keleman, Mr. Anti-charisma, howooooo
Michelle Riddle
Mike Moore RCI made Atlanta possible
Neal Bruce for a few well timed words of support
Nicole “Wingman” St. Martin the heart of Minneapolis
O Chame, Berkely’s best noodles and caramel balsamic gelato
Paul DeBettinges for making Minneapolis manifest
Peter Weddle, I still owe him a book
R D Whitney the beating heart of Kennedy Information
Ray Sumser who demonstrates the fact that quality is a product of quantity
Rachel Howlett we need more female zen masters
Rob McGovern doing it again in Atlanta
Robby Macdonell seasoned technical hand holding
Scott Dow mercurial and inspirational. He’s redefining recruiting
Salary.com, growing like a weed
Shally Steckerl relentless supporter of things Roadshow
Simon Goddard Hot Jobs yoga god
Steve Levy for repeated offers of support and a number of critical good laughs
Steve Patterson for facilities and personal generosity
Steven Rothberg tenacious, tenacious, tenacious
Tad Goltra just getting started
Tara King
The Whole ERE Team we almost had an industry day. Thanks for trying so hard.
Tim Driver vision and support
Toby Dayton for inputs to Minneapolis and trend setting
Vince Whitcomb harp in the zen band
Yvonne LaRose

Thank You Notes

johnsumser — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:20:02 +0000

(December 21, 2007) There are a lot of people to thank for this past year. Starting and building the momentum of the Recruiting Roadshow took a lot of effort from a lot of people. Shifting from my comfortable home at interbiznet took support and energy. Bearing up under the new scrutiny at Recruiting.com took some patience and the muffling of two layers of duct tape.

A number of good friends fed me with a straws (through the tape) at the difficult times. It’s good to have and build friendship as a part of making a living. My work is colored by the people who nourish me with their stories about the recruiting world, their ideas about what it could be like and their hopes for bigger and better times.

I’ve always been fortunate to have relationships with people who start companies. As an entrepreneur who thinks about strategy, it seems pretty normal to inhabit a world that mostly includes other leaders who build businesses for a living.

Over the years, I have seen a thousand good tricks for making things happen. This year, though, I may have been shown the ultimate trick.

Steven Rothberg, you may know, is the hard working founder of CollegeRecruiter.com. Very, very few people in our industry work as hard or as persistently as Steven. Through sheer tenacity, he built CollegeRecruiter into the powerhouse it is today. Steven spoke at both the Dallas and Atlanta Recruiting Roadshows.

Somewhere along the line, Steven sent me a wonderful had written Thank You note. It was short, sweet and very thoughtful. I was astonished by the way it changed my perception.

As far as I can remember, it was the first time ever that I had received one. Writing thank you notes is part of the conventional wisdom about doing business. I assumed that it was theory from people with no experience until I got Steven’s note.

As you can see, I remember the note very clearly almost six months later.

Steven got me started. I’ve been following his lead and hand writing Thank You notes. What’s amazing is the effect it has on me.

Thank you, Steven.

Big Brands and Facebook: Demographics, Case Studies and Best Practices

johnsumser — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 19:00:38 +0000

When Steven Rothberg gave his keynote presentation in Atlanta about using social networks for recruiting the question came up about demographics. Of course, this is a critical issue when it comes to things that range from sourcing strategy to job branding and employer marketing.

I just picked this up from Forrester’s Charlene Li who — like Steven — knows what she’s talking about:

[slideshare id=128129&doc=big-brands-facebook-demographics-case-studies-best-practices3037&w=425]
[No Image? View the slides on SlideShare]

And on the subject of demographics, here’s my two-cents on Second Life which also came up in Atlanta.

Gassing Up

johnsumser — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 23:16:05 +0000

As we gear up for the next Recruiting Roadshow in Dallas on Tuesday, December 4th, 2007 it is tempting to stay focused on the road ahead, not look back. But that’s not how it is.

By most estimates the Atlanta Recruiting Roadshow was a success. The people who turned up left with a variety of things that ran the gamut of positive impressions, affirmations and lessons learned, acquaintances made and friendship renewed.

That’s how it was meant to be and how it is hoped it can continue.

I cannot talk to most people’s experience when it comes to delivering the Recruiting Roadshow’s promise of “bringing physical community to social networks” but for those who I have spoken to I am told the day was a force multiplier for their networking efforts.

For me I can say that the value of this collaboration with John Sumser has been immense and continues to grow. My personal network has been enriched and expanded. I’m excited about the road ahead.

More, my whole view of the intrinsic value of networking – as well as the mechanics of it – is changing. I will be documenting that process as this journey progresses. Also, I will be exploring other aspects of networking that dovetail with the Recruiting Roadshow’s underlying theme of building physical community and enfranchising more local recruiters. So, stay posted for that and the continuing updates for Atlanta!

There were some great lessons learned for John and me as we sat back and weighed the Atlanta Recruiting Roadshow in the balance. As we move forward on the next leg of the tour we will be applying some of those lessons and further testing our assumptions. After all, it is an experiment.

Do You Want My Resume? How About a Beer?

johnsumser — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 15:10:49 +0000

In his Atlanta keynote on the pros and cons of using social networks for recruiting Steven Rothberg closed with a few observations about recruiting in virtual worlds like Second Life.

Illustrating some of the potential problems for recruiters Steven referenced an instance where instead of pulling his resume from out of his pocket a candidate pulled out a beer instead.

Virtual job interviews? Digital job fairs? It is confusing I know but perhaps this is the stuff that urban legends are made of…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDRr4MoX8f8]

…it’s just so hard to tell!

Posted by: Amitai Givertz

Alan Lee’s Learning Track: Mastering the Art of the 4 B’s: Build, Buy, Borrow and Boost

johnsumser — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 13:32:47 +0000

When we kicked-off the Atlanta Recruiting Roadshow Alan Lee was embarking on a journey of his own.

Facing the squeeze of the mortgage industry’s recent contractions Alan was looking for a step-up from his role as Senior Vice President of the Office of People & Culture and Chief Recruiting Officer for HomeBanc Mortgage Corporation. An exemplary leader, it didn’t take long for him to find it.

On the day Alan presented his learning track in his incarnation as the Director of Executive Search with Atlanta-based Talent Connections. Even so, the content and substance was exactly similar to the presentation he gave me when we first met over lunch, the reason I hoped he would share his insights and experience when the Roadshow came to town.

Going through the presentation slides here and comparing them with the pocketful of illustrated napkins I first walked away with I realize that it hardly matters what your job title is or whose cuts your paycheck or if your message is a slick PowerPoint or a hurried scribble on the back of a paper towel.

It is who you are and what you know and what you choose to do with those things that put the “servant” in “leadership” for the likes of Alan. Focus on that — like Alan did — and you’ll eventually end up where you’re supposed to be.

[slideshare id=127083&doc=workforce-planning-mastering-the-art-of-the-4-bs1259&w=425]

Make sure you hook-up with Alan and his team when you can…

Talent Connections, LLC
602 Gettysburg Place
Atlanta, GA 30350
Cell: 404.664.5134
Office: 770.693.7889
AlanLee(at)TalentConnections.net

..and get networked with Alan on LinkedIn, or on his “other” website ForContractRecruiters.com, why not?

Posted by: Amitai Givertz

Steven Rothberg’s Keynote: Best Practices for Using Facebook, MySpace and Other Social Networking Sites for Recruiting

johnsumser — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:17:02 +0000

It is not unusual when presenting after a fantastic lunch to have an audience nodding off. Of course, this phenomenon has more to do with blood rushing to the guts to help the body with digestion than its draining from the brain because of speaker or subject-induced boredom.

In presenting his afternoon keynote Steven Rothberg had some distinct advantages over possible food-induced dozing:

Our Atlanta delegates were really hungry to learn about networking tools and recruiting issues, in the main brand new stuff to contrast with their mainstream practices and possible misconceptions about using social networks in their day-to-day jobs; and
Steven provided much food for thought but kept everyone asking for more. Not only that, Steven delivered his presentation with enough spice and wit to keep even possibly bland topics like background checking, compliance and source-of-hire metrics appetizing.

Here are Steven’s presentation slides…

[slideshare id=125136&doc=best-practices-for-using-my-space-facebook-and-other-social-netowrking-sites-for-recruiting754&w=425]

…although the real juice is in direct contact with him:

CollegeRecruiter.com
(800) 835-4988
Steven(at)CollegeRecruiter.com

You can also keep ahead of things by reading Steven’s blog or connected with him on LinkedIn.

Posted by: Amitai Givertz

Abigail Tremble’s Learning Track: Recruiting as Master Problem Solvers

johnsumser — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 20:51:52 +0000

It seemed that everyone who went to Abigail Tremble’s workshop Recruiting as Master Problem Solvers came out with something more than an excited smile.

True to form I think, Abigail shared a process for understanding how to define the problem as a first step to being able to address it effectively, and a methodology for delivering quality results. That’s what Abigail does.

Here are the slides from Abigail’s session:

[slideshare id=121722&doc=recruiting-as-master-problem-solvers996&w=425]

If you have any questions then please contact Abigail…

SightWise Solutions
555 North Point Center East
Suite 400
Alpharetta, GA 30022
Recruiting: (678) 366-4360
Consulting: (678) 366-4361
abigail.tremble(at)sightwise.net

…or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Posted by: Amitai Givertz