In May 2012, I began evaluating different business ideas that would allow me capitalize on my business accomplishments, live my desired lifestyle and earn the appropriate level of income. Essentially after outlining the things I want in my personal life along with my professional goals, I decided to build a my own executive recruiting business focused in a niche where I have a true passion, the sporting goods industry.
Executive recruiting is complex process of developing business, sourcing candidates and the actual recruiting itself. Each one of these necessary skills takes tremendous practice and dedication to become competent. With or without real experience, starting and an executive recruiting business can be highly intimidating endeavor. Most importantly it is a beautiful business of helping enhance individuals lives while growing organizational talent all the while earning a sizable profit margin.
Once I made my decision to startup, I began researching consultants who could help enhance my previous experiences and learn the skill set to include all necessary functions. After thorough research, I isolated a small list of individuals to vet who I believed to be the foremost experts in candidate sourcing and recruiting in the US. This led me to Jason Thibeault and Trica Tamkin from Morgan Consulting who work on team with the renowned Peter Leffkowitz. From the very early stages of my engagement they helped me uncover the areas I would require their expertise to help expedite my learning curve to profitability. We put together a solution that would address these areas and would also retain them as ongoing support for the first 12 months. This would include the most important aspects of the business in both operations and methodologies including: Niche selection, computer system, website development, sourcing tools, phone system, Applicant Tracking Software, fee agreements, outsourcing provider selection, candidate sourcing, marketing/prospect list creation, negotiating, scripting, overcoming objections, writing effective recruiting emails, how to get voicemails returned and the art/science of recruiting. Another key part of the program was to spend several days at Peter’s Tall Pony Ranch to learn, refine, ride some horses and master proven recruiting methodologies under a close eye of the best in the business.
On September 6th 2012, Highline Search Group opened it’s doors focusing on the sporting goods Industry. With the knowledge I had learned from Tricia, Jason and Peter I quickly assimilated a team of fully evaluated top tier candidates ready to make a move when the right opportunity presented itself. Within 4 weeks of recruiting combined with business development I landed my first search assignment, sourced over 100 candidates, fully evaluated 12 professionals, presented the top 20% and placed my first candidate in 7 weeks.
The Morgan Consulting Group hands down was the most important startup investment exponentially reducing my learning curve and decreasing duration to profitability. As my business continues to grow, so will my relationship with them as they are geared to help me for the next phase of Highline Search Group. – Tony O’Neill, President, Highline Search Group