Fortune Favours the brave

Recruiting in the height of recession wasn't fun for anyone. One of our biggest bug bears was having to explain to candidates why a client would want to poach someone from a specific competitor and overlook potential talent for the prospect of someone bringing "the old black book". I think 99% of people would agree that there would be occasional benefit from poaching a rising star from a competitor, but likewise see the potential pitfalls. Are they really going to bring those clients? Are they bringing the whole sales strategy? Is that competitor really that much better? The list of questions could go on.

However, at a time when certain markets seem to be more bullish, what are the leading edge thinkers doing?

One respected client said to me this week, "we're looking at ability rather than suitability". Another major organisation we work for highlighted "the need for a deliverer and thought leader who could become an evangelist - this isn't displayed in a candidate looking to jump ship between two competitors". There is clearly a difference of opinion between those looking to consolidate and those looking at what their market may look like in 2,3,4 years and beyond. The reality is that risk is there for everyone whether you take "the safe option" as one client put it, or plan way ahead at finding a future superstar.

My heart says fortune favours the brave, my head says that strong strategic planning is both brave and likely to get a business ahead of its competition.

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Recruitment, headhunting, IT, sales, recruitment advice, careers, sales recruitment, IT recruitment, marketing recruitment, HR recruitment, Manchester, London, UK.

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