If you decided to read this in the hope of obtaining a ‘how-to’ guide, you’ll unfortunately be quite disappointed……and that’s actually the point of this blog. ‘Navigating corporate politics’, which includes ‘positioning for power’ and other ‘strategies in empire building’ are important (if not vital) skills one needs to acquire if you intend on climbing [...]
Archive | 2010
No interviews for higher salaried candidates
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve had several instances of clients declining to interview candidates whose current salaries are higher than the top end package on offer for a new position, EVEN when the candidate has agreed to accept the package on offer should he be appointed to the job. And in this instance [...]
Social Media – Stunning Stats
Did you know…..if Facebook was a country, it would have the 4th largest population IN THE WORLD! This, and other mind-blowing stats in this YouTube link – enjoy……. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juZ8cug972Y&feature=fvst
Corporate Entrepreneurs vs. the Real Deal
I encounter many professionals in the corporate world who hold our the vision of running their own business as the holy grail. These individuals are often acknowledged in their organisations as self-starters who are brilliant initiators and have often taken calculated risks that have paid off well in the corporate space. As a result, they [...]
Executive Cloning
This is not the latest in genetic science – rather, it is a trend I notice when being briefed by some clients on senior management vacancies they wish to fill. Half way through the briefing discussion, I’ll realise my client is decribing himself (only the good bits, of course), and is expecting us to fill [...]
Headhunters and how to engage with them: the view
Harry O’Neil, Managing Partner, Heidrick & Struggles, China: Successful candidates are discriminating in the channels through which they present themselves to the marketplace. Clearly, it’s very important to be known to the top search firms in one’s space. It always pays to be responsive to appropriate calls from search professionals, whether they are recruiting, or [...]
Foreign skills – not welcome!
Well, this is NOT my personal view, but it certainly seems to be the stance taken by our completely inept Department of Home Affairs, who have apparently recently centralised their systems (they have systems??), resulting in even LONGER delays than even before. As a result, the work permit application process for one of my foreign [...]
Losing Top Talent!
No, this is not another article about the ‘brain drain’. In fact, we have really great talent in SA, which we are well-placed to confirm, because we come into contact with excellent people daily! What I’m commenting on is the odd phenomenon that takes place in corporate South Africa, during an executive search process, and [...]
