May 21, 2012
 Robert Teal Where Has All the Talent Gone?
By Robert Teal, CCP, CBP
Or is the question, “Where has all of my talent gone?”
Matt Lynley, writing for the Business Insider on April 7th, reported that employees are jumping ship at Apple. Running a search on LinkedIn, a professional social media site, Lynley looked for individuals whose past employer was Apple. Lynley found 17 of those former Apple employees at Zynga, a social gaming leader.
Where did other Apple employees go? According to Lynley here is where a sizable group of former Apple employees landed.
| Facebook, 73 |
VMWare, 118 |
IBM, 130 |
| Adobe, 154 |
Dell, 157 |
Oracle, 163 |
| Hewlett-Packard, 216 |
Microsoft, 300 |
Google, 315 |
| Cisco Systems, 329 |
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Apple has over 62,000 employees, so what if 1,900 of their employees jump ship? Even if Apple has the most ironclad non-compete clause ever written, it’s their knowledge, skill, and talent that is being bought.
So I will rephrase the question, “Where has all of your talent gone?” So maybe you are a small business, that makes it even more imperative that you manage the talent you have to ensure it does not walk out the door to you competitor. It also becomes essential that when you do hire, you hire the top talent available. They will not be cheap and they will be hard to find.
If you are a small business, maybe you are the talent, maybe the only talent in your organization. If your goal is to grow, you are going to have to acquire additional talent either because your own knowledge, skill, and talent, while great, does not extend into all areas. Organizations like Apple were once small, as they grew; they allowed employees to share in that growth either through phantom stock if privately held or shares of actual publicly traded stock. One attraction, for the likes of talent at high tech firms that may go public in the future, is the possibility that employees will be able to cash in on that success. And there are many examples of talent who do just that, not only at Apple, but others as well.
Kate Lister, a writer and small business owner provides a number of suggestions on how small businesses can succeed in the competition for talent. Writing for American Express’ Open Forum on August 4, 2011, Lister points out 7 ways that small businesses can find and retain talent. One way is to become an “an employer of choice”. To be an employer of choice is more than paying the highest wages. It means that the entire culture of the organization creates an environment where employees want to work and want to come to work every day. In such organizations, there is no “checking your brain at the door” frame of mind.
Employer of Choice, Inc. certifies organizations that meet and/or exceed 10 criteria designed to separate out employer of choice from others:
● The Company
● The Culture
● Enlightened Leadership
● Care of People
● Growth and Opportunity
● Meaningful Work
● Compensation & Benefits
● Making a Difference
● Employee Loyalty
● Performance Results
Maybe you are not the next Apple, Google or Facebook; but at some point they did not think there were either.
About the Author:
Robert Teal, CCP, CBP is a Senior Human Resource leader with demonstrated ability to deliver cost effective solutions in the areas of research, design, implementation, communication, & administration of employee compensation and benefit plans and HR/Payroll systems. A results-oriented professional who skillfully manages interpersonal relationships and partners with a diversity of staff from the Board of Directors to line managers in the insurance, consulting, and healthcare industries.
Read Robert Teal’s blog: Trends in Total Employee Rewards.
Read Bob’s articles on Redfish Technology’s Hook, Line & Sinker.
March 26, 2012
Plate Spinning, the Art of Successful Recruiting
 Leah O’Flynn By Leah O’Flynn
Plate spinning is an intense physical and psychological feat; it is both an art form and a methodology. Professionals focus on spinning numerous plates, simultaneously, while performing any number of acrobatic maneuvers, balancing goals, and bringing moving parts to a graceful crescendo. Sounds like recruiting, doesn’t it? (more…)
December 19, 2011
Happy Holidays from our team to yours!
Whether you will get merry at Christmas, illuminated at Hanukkah, or dec’d out for Kwanzaa, we hope you have a great yearend!
Redfish is celebrating a great 2011.
 Rob Reeves, President, CEO – Redfish Technology “Amid the Noise and Haste of 2011, we’ve managed to stay the course we set and solidify our partnerships in both the Tech Sector and the Clean Tech Sector. (more…)
November 23, 2011
This is a time to take a break, appreciate that which we have, enjoy our family and friends, and reflect on the possibilities in the universe.
Let us tell you what we are thankful for:
 he growth and opportunities that Clean Tech and Information Technology sectors offer.
• According to the monthly index published by TechServe Alliance, the number of IT jobs increased by more than 7,000 month over month, rising to 4,064,500 jobs in October – that’s an increase of 2.2% over October 2010.
• The clean energy sector is growing at 8.3%. Annually from 2003 to 2010 solar thermal energy grew by 18.4%, solar photovoltaic power by 10.7%, biofuels by 8.9%, and over the last five years the wind energy industry saw 35% average annual growth.
(more…)
September 12, 2011
Overcoming Relocation Hurdles in Talent Acquisition and Retention
 Greg Schreiner By Greg Schreiner, Executive Recruiter, Clean Tech Talent Manager
Despite the high rate of unemployment, finding the right talent remains an issue. A recent survey by Robert Half reported that just over half the executives reported that it is difficult to find skilled professional talent currently.
When finding the right talent locally doesn’t pan out, relocation is often the only alternative. And while relocation adds to the human resources expense, the majority of firms recognize the importance of this component in attracting the talent they want. The 2010 Atlas Van Lines Corporate Relocation Survey reports that 67% of companies offered incentives to encourage relocations in 2010. Financial and other incentives can overcome the hurdles to relocation. (more…)
September 5, 2011
Staffing & Employment News
Losing Momentum
Friday’s BLS economic report clearly shows that momentum in the labor market has stalled: nonfarm private payrolls increased by a meager 17,000, but as government payrolls declined by 17,000 the net job creation for August was nil. This is the lowest increase in private payrolls since February 2010, and the 4th consecutive month of weak growth. In the last consecutive 18 months, the economy did add 2.4 million private sector jobs.
What is the problem?
The pundits cite: The Verizon Communications strike that caused decline of approximately 45,000 in nonfarm payrolls last month. The recent federal debt ceiling debate fiasco, the S&P downgrade, and the stock market debacle of August. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index published for the month also showed a sharp decline. The lack of demand is by far the largest problem, leading to this slow pace of hiring, especially in small firms in “core” services. And yet, thankfully, for the moment layoffs have not picked up.
Staffing Professionals Predict
Staffing organizations and recruiters seem to have a more optimistic projection. (more…)
August 29, 2011
Winning the Tech Talent War
 Andy Nacsin by Andy Nacsin, Executive Recruiter
In today’s economic situation, companies are facing multiple new challenges when it comes to staffing. According to Forrester Research, today’s recruiting growth rate prediction is at 8%. Many theorists believe that this is because of the looming talent shortage and disconnect between positions open and skills of candidates applying. Another factor is that companies, while emerging from recession, are still remaining cautious on spending and are very selective when acquiring talent, regardless of their growing need to add headcount. Our nationwide overall unemployment rate has been hovering around 10%, and yet when we take a closer look within technology these numbers are closer to 4%. Other considerations that are affecting this climate are employee turnover, Baby Boomers retiring, more restrictive policies on foreign workers, companies resistant to relocation costs, and overall reluctance from employees to change jobs. So our challenge is how to cope with a growing talent shortage within the high tech and green tech industries.
The battle for top sales people and engineers is extraordinary in Silicon Valley and New York – These are our Talent War battle zones. The majority of technology growth occurs in these two large geographic regions and they also typically house the greatest number of top tier talent. (more…)
August 8, 2011
Jobs Growth Anemic, yet Senior Talent in Shortage in Certain Sectors
ADP/BLS
Leading up to the BLS employment report on Friday, ADP estimated private payrolls rose 114,000 in July. The BLS figures came in 117,000 nonfarm employment and 154,000 in total private employment. Gains were seen in health care, retail trade, manufacturing, and mining; while Government employment continued to decline. Manufacturing employment increased in by 24,000, professional and technical services increased by 18,000, Government employment decreased by 37,000. The unemployment rate stayed put at 9.1% (13.9 million people).
AESC / Executive Search
According to the Association of Executive Search Consultants’ (AESC), 66% of search professionals have a positive prediction for their industry in the second half of the year. The biggest growth in demand for senior talent is in the Energy/Natural Resources sector. The United States is experiencing a “sustained resurgence of demand” according to AESC President, Peter Felix. Worldwide, the General Management/CEO/COO functions are anticipated to experience the greatest shortage of talent, followed by Business Development and then Engineering. (more…)
July 20, 2011
The Anatomy of a Job Description, and Other Pointers
 Ryan Thomson
By Ryan Thomson,
Executive Recruiter,
Clean Tech Talent Division
What is the purpose of a job description? It is of course an administrative document. It does serve to establish a description of an employment work contract. But in terms of recruitment, it is a marketing tool that should attract the attention of the talent you are seeking. (more…)
July 14, 2011
Market and Talent Competition Heating Up, Redfish Introduces Webinar on Closing Candidates in a Hot Job Market
“As the market heats up, candidates no longer go months without returned phone calls, but rather, quite the opposite,” reports Executive Recruiter Joanna Edwards. “With a positive shift in the economy comes a new set of challenges that hiring managers must be prepared to combat.”
 Closing Candidates: A How To in a Hot Job Market
As a corporate matchmaker, it is Redfish’s mission to help companies find their ideal candidates. In response to changing market conditions, Redfish has been advising companies on evolving talent acquisition strategies. The dialogue continues in the first of a new series of webinars for hiring managers in the High Tech and Green Tech industries: “Closing Candidates: A How To in a Hot Job Market.”
(more…)
April 26, 2011
The Right Talent Critical for Business Growth Strategy Implementation, Say Leading CEOs
The CEO Challenge 2011 cites Growth and Talent as the most critical challenges. After years of scaling back, driving business growth emerges as top concern for corporate leadership. Talent management and innovation are the most critical vehicles for business growth strategies today. (more…)
April 14, 2011
 Shannon Tinker How to Hire the Best Candidate: Get Out of Your Own Way
By Shannon Tinker
Last month, I offered some pre-resume reviewing steps for preserving time and sanity during the hiring process. Hiring isn’t rocket science. You get approval, decide what you want and need and then go about finding “It.” What’s surprising is what happens when you do find “It.” Managers make tough decisions daily, yet when faced with a viable candidate they don’t always make their move.
Even veteran managers accumulate reasons for why they shouldn’t extend a job offer to the right candidate. I’m not suggesting that you should jump on any candidate with Java on his resume and a pulse. (This isn’t 1999!) But it is interesting and heartbreaking when “best practices” and fear get in the way of hiring your next star employee. (more…)
March 9, 2011
Shannon Tinker Things to Know Before Reviewing Your First Resume
By Shannon Tinker
Hallelujah! You’ve been given the green light to add employees to your team and not a moment too soon. Your team has been in the trenches since the economy’s infamous downturn and despite your efforts, your hiring budget has remained nonexistent. Your new hiring breakthrough is exciting and it’s tempting to start the candidate search ASAP. Evaluating some key elements before jumping into the candidate pool with both feet can ensure a successful search, and minimize the level of frustration for you and your team. (more…)
March 2, 2011
Determining Market Worth
 Beth Cliff By Beth Cliff, Executive Recruiter, High Tech Engineering Talent Manager
Knowing what you are worth in the marketplace, or determining how to compensate a prospective employee can be a daunting proposition. Candidates want to obtain the optimum salary, while employers want to fairly compensate their new hires within their allotted budgets. The magic number that will leave both sides feeling good about their decision is in large part determined by the ever changing marketplace.
Over the past couple of years, I have seen some interesting trends in the marketplace. It’s no secret that finding your dream job, and corresponding compensation, the past few years hasn’t been easy. Many talented professionals found themselves unexpectedly looking for new roles. (more…)
February 9, 2011
Bernanke Weighs In, CEOs Too
Growing Optimism on the Hiring Front
The Los Angeles Times reported today that:
The Fed chief also gave a somewhat more positive assessment of the employment situation, after last Friday’s report showing the nation’s unemployment rate falling to 9% last month from 9.4% in December and 9.8% in November.
He said: “Notable declines in the unemployment rate in December and January, together with improvement in indicators of job openings and firms’ hiring plans, do provide some grounds for optimism on the employment front [1].
In spite of this week’s conflicting short term data, we should be celebrating that the U.S. unemployment rate dropped unexpectedly to a low unseen since April 2009: 9%. Better yet, numerous surveys and CEO reports are optimistic: the outlook for 2011 is to refocus on innovation, competition, and hiring [2].
Redfish Technology reports surging demand in Software as a Service and Cloud Computing as well as Solar and Clean Tech companies, “From VP of Sales in high tech positions to PV Project Engineers, (more…)
February 4, 2011
Staffing & Employment News:
Companies Refocus on Innovation, Competition, Hiring
Despite uncertainty, companies are refocusing on innovation, and hiring to gain/keep competitive edge. CEOs and search consultants express confidence in 2011. The biggest risks remain the recession, but talent acquisition may also be a challenge.
The latest short term data is in today. Despite a smaller gain than anticipated in payrolls, the U.S. unemployment rate dropped unexpectedly to a low unseen since April 2009: 9%. Short terms data aside, the outlook for 2011 is to refocus on innovation, competition, and hiring.
The 14th Annual Global CEO Survey [1] shows that CEOs are aiming at immediate growth and a big jump in revenue growth prospects over 2011. Confidence levels are rising across the board with more companies anticipating growing their payrolls than they did in 2010. According to the survey, as hiring plans gear up, a shortage in talent is becoming more apparent; two-thirds of CEOs believe they’re facing a limited supply of skilled candidates. (more…)
December 28, 2010
What is the Results-Only Work Environment?
A Results-Only Work Environment is a rapidly growing management strategy that evaluates employees based on their performance, not their physical presence. In a ROWE, people focus on results and only results – increasing the organization’s performance while creating the right climate for people to manage all the demands in their lives . . . including work. (more…)
November 29, 2010
Executive Search Business Booming!
Firms are Recruiting for Top Positions.
Approximately 20% of executive jobs in the U.S. that pay over $150,000 annually at the largest 1,000 companies are filled by executive search firms. According to recent reports by the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) the Executive Search Business has shown strong activity in 2010, with a 32% increase in revenues and an 18% increase in new searches. (more…)
October 26, 2010
Make Your Offer Bullet-Proof; Close the Candidate from the Get-Go
The cost of hiring is significant. It starts with the effort undertaken by the hiring manager, HR and participating staff. Much time is invested from studying the department’s need and formulating the requirements, to advertising, recruiting and interviewing. Once you find the right candidate, you are almost there. But it’s not over yet.
Despite the high unemployment rate, it is not a slam dunk. Many good candidates are receiving multiple offers, and many applicants are still employed and need to be certain that your company is the right move for them at this time. You need to sell the company and the opportunity. You need to close the candidate. (more…)
September 29, 2010
Employee Retention
It’s about the Bottom Line
Turnover is a money drain. Every time you lose a valued employee, you’re losing money. Despite the currently high unemployment rate, employee retention at all levels throughout your organization remains an important part of your business process. The more stable your workforce, the more focuses you can be on your mission and your bottom line. (more…)
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