ITB Partners – Management Consultants
Our Business is Your Success
Don Turner is our Keynote speaker for our September 18, Meeting. The title of his presentation is “COMPANY RESTORATION IN THE NEW NORMAL.”
Dave Daniels is our Spotlight Speaker.
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Kerri Cufaro will present
Issues Facing Job Seekers (including LinkedIn tips) |
Kerri always boasts, “I absolutely love what I do; I am passionate about being in Talent Acquisition and helping people find jobs; it is the best feeling in the world!”
Working for several staffing agencies and consulting firms as well as internally recruiting for a few corporations, Kerri has a keen knowledge of managing high performing teams, strategizing with executive leaders, consulting with hiring managers and human resource partners and sourcing and recruiting stellar candidates. Kerri has successfully managed relationships at all levels between the client/hiring manager and the job seeker throughout the interview process to ensure timely and effective placements.
What have Kerri’s candidates, colleagues and executives said about her?
• “honest, passionate … proven veteran … right kind of leader … commitment to excellence and professionalism … motivated and forward-thinking … best recruiter I worked within 50 years”
• “Talent Acquisition leader with a successful track record of leading change initiatives, improving processes and operational metrics, exceeding goals, and managing staff.”
Kerri grew up on Long Island in New York, attended the University of Maryland for 3 years (ZTA love) before transferring and graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Hofstra University. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Atlanta in 1995.
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“Members Helping Members”
Peter Frost, President of BENG, said networking is critical as job searching strategies and career transition continues to change in this economy. “Those in transition can no longer rely on job search engines to fuel their search, they need to continuously build a network and stay connected to that network,” explains Frost. “Most new members begin to realize all of the networking contacts they let go during years of secure employment and they’re encouraged to become career networkers.”
Business Executives Networking Group “BENG is a non-profit organization providing mid to senior-level professionals seeking employment, with a forum that will facilitate their job search and enhance their networking skills. This multidiscipline, independent group of mid-to senior-level professionals contains job seekers and employed members and business owners. BENG provides employment information, opportunities for networking, emotional support, and tools to accelerate their members’ job search. We rely upon the spirit of generosity and cooperation of our members, whether in transition or employed, to accomplish this mission.”
Your Atlanta meeting facilitators are Richard Kirby Jim Weber
It is normal for me to talk with a lot of job seekers and this week was no exception. One conversation was remarkable, albeit in a disappointing way. Steve was referred to me by a colleague as his job search has been ineffective. Happy to help, I scheduled a phone call to exchange information and to learn about his career interests. The gist of our conversation is that Steve is having difficulty generating interest from employers. He is an experienced professional with an advanced degree, but he is uncomfortable networking. He is reticent about making even a small effort in that direction. The bulk of his search has been about submitting his resume to company portals and online job boards. He has not done much research into other resources, tools, and techniques to leverage his efforts. I explained that up to 85% of people find their jobs through networking, while online applications account for about 10%. I encouraged him to spend his time accordingly. It was a difficult conversation. My advice did not seem to resonate. The best I could do was offer suggestions and encourage him to check in from time to time.
My last post was the first in a series of articles to explore Job Search in the Latest “New Normal.” In that post, I discussed the importance of situational awareness to understand the dynamics of the job market. One must have three hundred and sixty-degree understanding of playing field to ensure a successful outcome. The impact of Covid-19 has accelerated many trends already evident in the market. In this post, I explore evolutionary aspects of recruiting and selection processes the job seeker may encounter.
Although the economy is improving and companies are rehiring, it is unclear as to the continued pace of the recovery. Women are said to be hardest hit by the pandemic related layoffs. They are concerned about the economic impact on their family’s well-being. They wonder how much time will pass before they begin earning a regular paycheck again. If they have school-age children at home, their careers may be put on hold as school systems opt for virtual education. For many, their concentration is short-term survival, less so for the long term. This is reasonable and probably good thinking.
If you believe the economic forecasts, employers are planning for a favorable fourth quarter. Their recruiting activity must begin now if they expect to be staffed by Fall. They are using virtual tools to facilitate more of their recruiting, selection, and onboarding processes. Most employers are soliciting applications through online portals. Additionally, they are likely to use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to make the process more efficient. Video interviews have gained greater acceptance, especially for senior-level positions. Now, I am hearing that these tools are becoming commonplace across a wider range of job categories. This makes sense to me as video conferencing is an obvious solution for recruiters who may be working from home. These tools are effective, affordable, and easy to use. The job seeker must become adept with the virtual interview.
The pace of hiring is not uniform across all industry segments. The media has reported several stories about iconic brands that have announced plans to hire a significant number of new employees. On the other hand, many smaller businesses are struggling to survive or planning to close. Many of the latter are service-sector operations, including restaurants. Finding job opportunities in this segment is problematic. One can reasonably expect six months to a year or more before the economy reaches the pre-pandemic staffing level for this segment. You should consider redeploying your skillset for opportunities in growing industry segments.
Tips to Improve your search:
We cannot fully appreciate the potential economic downside or the possible upside as we adapt to Covid-19. Assuming that surrender is not an option, we must adapt. The recruiting and selection process has gone virtual, so we must become proficient with virtual tools and processes. Networking is still the most viable way to find a new job, so embrace that activity. Become a confident networker if not an expert. Include virtual networking in your portfolio via LinkedIn, email outreach, and other social media platforms. Consider the value of your skill-stack to support a career move to a high-performing industry segment. Be open to freelance work as a bridge strategy to a full-time situation, or maybe a new career. We cannot predict the jobs that may go away or those that will be created. It is safe to say, however, that new career opportunities will be available to you if you do your research and seek them out.
I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox. Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.
Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.
We have reached the halfway point for 2020, which may be the strangest year of my life. Your’s too, most likely. Working through the challenges presented by Covid-19 is certainly remarkable. Few if anyone I know, has ever experienced a pandemic of this nature or the measures required to moderate its spread. And then, the follow-on weeks of civil unrest. Yes, this year has been surreal.
The sudden transition from a booming economy to a voluntary lockdown has been jarring. Overnight, we have gone from historically low to depression-level unemployment. The relief provided by the Federal Government is unprecedented. It has helped employers and employees survive the lockdown. To some extent, however, it may have been counterproductive as minimum wage earners lack the incentive to return to work before their benefits expire. Nevertheless, many furloughed at the beginning of ‘shelter in place,’ lost their jobs as employers face the realities of survival. Some of these people have reached out to me for help.
Even though many jobs are gone, at least temporarily, the underlying structure of the economy is still intact. This has not been a traditional recession where a bubble in the economy collapses. It is closer to a natural disaster save for the destruction of infrastructure. The manufacturing, supply chain, logistics network has suffered a minimal impact. The financial services sector has fared well. The Service Sector has been hardest hit as the need for social distancing directly impacts their business model. By design, the Service Sector is based on close personal contact. Even so, the road back to prosperity has not been closed. The level of employment is rapidly improving. There is a reason for guarded optimism.
My neighbor is a good case study. He was furloughed from a senior-level construction and development position for a major restaurant brand. By the end of the lockdown, his position was eliminated as his employer decided to reduce their development plans for 2020.
The good news is that he is a licensed Architect. He has other options. In fact, he has landed freelance work with architectural firms. Additionally, he has found that positions, like the one he lost, are available locally.
I have received a significant uptick in calls from job seekers requiring help. A few have not had to look for a job for many years and want to understand the changes in the recruiting and selection process. Others are looking to become more competitive by improving their job search skills, resume, and other collateral material. Most find the process confusing. They seek clarity and direction.
The first step in the job search process is to gain situational awareness. Job seekers face a dynamic market, especially for senior management. Employers are working mightily to remain relevant. They face intense pressure from traditional and disruptive competition. Even the strongest brands can become distracted by mergers, acquisitions, downsizing, right-sizing, productivity improvement initiatives, etc. The newest challenge is, of course, a heightened concern for employers’ ability to survive the devastating impact of the pandemic driven lock-down. Brands must not only survive the lock-down, they must learn to thrive in an environment requiring a greater focus on sanitation and hygiene. They are forced to adapt, in real-time, as humanity suffers the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Employers have cause to substitute technology for human capital. Many companies will never reopen. This is not all bad. Successful companies will become stronger, increasing demand for employees.
What is your evaluation of the situation? Are you working in an industry sector more, or less impacted by the virus? Are your skills still in demand? Do you need new skills or a tune-up? What opportunities have been revealed? How should you adjust your strategy? Relevancy is a fundamental issue for job seekers. If you need help, seek out professionals who understand the situation. Remember, you are the product. Be the product! You must adjust and adapt to the “Latest New Normal.”
I will explore the remainder of these challenges in the next few weeks.
I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox. Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.
Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.
Stocks shook off the 5.9% S&P 500 Index drop a week ago Thursday by gaining three days in a row before fading a bit at week’s end. While researching and reading this week, two charts stood out to me that tell us quite a lot about how investors have reacted during this volatile market and what could be next.
Incredibly, nearly a third of all investors over 65 years old sold their full equity holdings. With stocks now back near highs, this is yet another reason to have a plan in place before trouble comes, as making decisions when under duress can lead to the exact wrong decision.
As shown in the above chart, according to data from Fidelity Investments, nearly 18% of all investors sold their full equity holdings between February and May, while a much higher percentage that was closer to retirement (or in retirement) sold. Some might have bought back in, but odds are that many are feeling quite upset with the record bounce back in stocks here.
Along these same lines, investors have recently moved to cash at a record pace. In fact, there is now nearly $5 trillion in money market funds, almost twice the levels we saw this time only five years ago. Also, the past three months saw the largest three-month change ever, as investors ran to the safety of cash. If you were looking for a reason stocks could continue to go higher over the longer term, there really is a lot of cash on the sidelines right now.
Last, I noted a few weeks ago that the extreme overbought nature of stocks here is actually consistent with the start of a new bull run, not a bear market bounce, or the end of a bull market. Adding to this, the spread between the number of stocks above their 50-day moving average and 200-day moving average was near the highest level ever.
Looking at other times that had wide spreads, they took place near the start of major bull markets. Near-term the potential is there for a well-deserved pullback, but going out 6 to 12 months, stocks have consistently outperformed historically.
My firm specializes in working with people that experience what we call “Sudden Income.” Typically the income came from one of these events:
1) Accessing and Managing Retirement Assets
2) A Performance Contract (Typically a Sports or Entertainment Contract)
3) Divorce Settlement
4) An inheritance or Insurance Payout
5) Sale of a Business or Stock Options
6) A Personal Injury Settlement
I believe the unique nature of these events requires specialized professional experience, empathy, and communication to deal with both the financial changes and the life changes that inevitably come with them.
My clients value my ability to simplify complex strategies into an actionable plan. They also appreciate that I am open, non-judging, and easy to talk to about their dreams and fears. Each client defines financial success differently and my goal is to guide them from where they are now to where they want to be. As my client’s advisor, my goal is to provide them with a lifetime income stream, improving returns, protecting their funds, and managing taxes.
Firm Specialties:
Kevin was listed in
The Wall Street Journal as “One of the Financial Advisors In The Southeast That You Need To Know”
Kevin was listed in Forbes Magazine’s Annual Financial Edition as a Five Star Financial Advisor
Kevin has been awarded the FIVE Star Professional Wealth Manager in Atlanta Magazine in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers.
KEVIN GARRETT, AWMA, CFS
Integrated Financial Group
200 Ashford Center North, Ste. 400 | Atlanta, GA 30338
Phone | 770.353.6311
Email | kgarrett@intfingroup.com
Website | kevingarrettifg.com
I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox. Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.
Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.
Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners
Now we know what it is like to shelter in place for the better part of two months. But try to imagine being in the middle of a job search, making good progress, just to have the Covid-19 shelter-in-place recommendation induce a dead stop? What a bummer! Well, a lot of people found themselves in this situation. I talked with several and have taken on a few as clients.
I worked with one client who is in a job search for the first time in 15 years. This client lost her job before the shelter in place began and was just getting traction when everything stopped. She came to me seeking help with her resume and networking efforts. She needed a skills tune-up.
A lot has changed since her last job search. The proliferation of online job boards and electronic resume submissions is a major change. She wanted to ensure that her resume featured the best keywords to optimize her results with automated resume reading programs.
Then again, job search has not changed that much, especially for senior managers. 85% of jobs are still secured via old fashioned networking. 10% of jobs are found through job boards, with the balance through Executive Recruiters. Naturally, my advice to job seekers is to allocate their time in the same proportions. It is not easy at first for those who are not confident networking. It is easier to sit in front of a computer screen, applying for jobs. Of course, they become frustrated by the lack of response.
I begin coaching a new client by seeking to understand their career. This helps me determine how to present the client in a compelling way. More importantly, I want the client to articulate their story effectively and concisely. It is not easy at first for most, but eventually, they get it. This is one of my towering strengths.
The resume is the best place to start. A well-crafted resume will tell a story about patterns of success and career growth. These patterns reveal the candidate’s orientation toward measurable results, or not. It also tells something about the type of work and environment where they are most effective. Are their skills best suited to taking on new projects or assignments? Are they better suited to turnarounds or troubleshooting? Do they thrive in ambiguous situations that require rationalization, or making incremental improvements to established lines of business? Whatever the case, I help them identify their career patterns. They become the theme of the candidate’s story. Make the theme of your career story stand out.
The first time a recruiter or hiring manager touches a resume it is likely to receive little more than 20 seconds of their time. Obviously, the reader is scanning, not reading. They are absorbing impressions. Their focus is on the first third of the first page. They are looking for a headline, keywords, phrases, and job titles. If they are not captivated by what they see, that will be the end of one’s opportunity. I make those key points jump off the page.
To tell an effective story you must know your audience. Are you sending your resume to an internal or an external recruiter? Maybe it is going to the hiring manager. Are you responding to an online Job Posting? Are you scheduled to attend a networking meeting or maybe a one-on-one? Is your LinkedIn Profile current? Each point of contact represents a different audience, requiring a different vehicle. Your job search tools include your resume, Bio, Cover Letter, LinkedIn page, Key Results Summary, and business cards. They are to be used in a coordinated manner, each for a specific purpose. A detailed resume is your foundation document.
Make your resume an interesting read. Make it read like a story. Each sentence must draw the reader into your journey. Make them want to read the next sentence, then the next. When you review your resume, look to see if it tells a story. Is it clear and compelling? Is there a common theme woven throughout? Does it make you look interesting? Does it entice the reader to schedule a meeting? If the answer to those questions is not in the affirmative, you have work to do.
I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox. Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.
Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.
Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners
Jim Weber will Present “The Three Pillars For Success”
Learn the strategies used by today’s successful job seekers!
Prior to forming New Century Dynamics Executive Search in 1999, Jim Weber spent 22 years with Fortune 500 companies in the Food Retailing Industry where he developed a broad-based portfolio of “hands-on” line and staff experience in growth and turnaround situations. A proven executive with exceptional leadership skills, Jim has a strong financial background and heavy operations experience in specialty retail stores, quick-service restaurants, manufacturing, and distribution.
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This is a difficult, even unprecedented time. There is great uncertainty, and many are fearful. Some are suffering through this alone. Thankfully, this pandemic comes at a time when our technology makes forced isolation bearable.
In difficult times the American Spirit shines brightest because we face our challenges together. Given the strength of our relationships, the value we place on one another, I am confident that we will overcome this scourge. We may be bruised, but we will emerge stronger.
From a personal perspective, I believe my life’s mission is to help however I can. My goal is to focus on what I can control and avoid dwelling on issues beyond my control.
I know that my core strength is helping people navigate the new normal for employment and career management. In many respects, this was the genesis of ITB PARTNERS.
I want you to know that I am here to help you. In fact, I am happy to offer my services free of charge to help you through this difficult time.
There are many things we can discuss, but I may be most helpful in the following areas:
Ultimately, I’m available to talk with you even if to bounce around some ideas or offer introductions from my vast network.
If you would like a free 30-minute consultation, email Jim.Weber@itbpartners.com with this subject: “I Want to Schedule a Free Consultation.” I will respond back with my calendar tool to schedule a telephone or video call.
I hope you find this useful and will schedule a call. If nothing else, I would enjoy an update from you to know how you are coping.
Best wishes for your continued health and safety.
I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox. Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.
Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.
Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners
Email To: Jim.Weber@itbpartners Subject: Yes, Reserve My Place for The BENG Atlanta Chapter April Meeting viaZOOM
According to a LinkedIn survey in 2017, almost 80 percent of professionals consider networking to be important to their career success. Not only that, but 70 percent of respondents said they were hired at a company where they had a connection.
Whether you are networking to find new clients, a better job, or the love of your life, your results will definitely improve if you remove what’s not working and replace it with more effective actions.
Richard Kirby is “The K Factor”. His formula for client success is Inspirational+Analytical=Inevitable.
For the past 18 years, Richard has coached corporate executives desiring career improvements inside or outside their current employers. He is also the author of Fast Track Your Job Search (and Career!), an eBook available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. A critical component of his individual coaching programs and his book is business networking. More information can be found about Richard at https://www.richardkirby.net or https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardkirbyatl.
Email To: Jim.Weber@itbpartners.com Subject: Yes, Reserve My Place for The BENG Atlanta Chapter April Meeting viaZOOM
Early in my career, I learned that it is unwise to rebuild a retail outlet on site when there is an option to build on another site better positioned to serve the trade area. Taking an outlet off-line for reconstruction, forced our customers to seek alternatives. They began shopping with other brands, creating new habits. And, the rebuilt outlet seldom regained their full sales volume. It was a bad investment. Building a new outlet in a better location avoided the lost revenue while creating excitement for the new store. It was usually a better investment.
Once a new shopping pattern is established (read – a new habit), it is difficult to revert. This experience gives me confidence that the effect of the Covid-19 outbreak will create new habits and accelerate other trends.
The first change I expect is an increased vigilance toward sanitation. It is obvious that people are likely to become accustomed to washing their hands more often, hopefully using anti-bacterial soap. It’s reasonable to expect retailers and other employers to adopt measures to better protect their customers and employees. Who knows, this might lead to a reduction in overall flu cases, reducing absenteeism. Even now, I have a client in the Janitorial Services Sector who is generating significant add-on sales from an innovative sanitizer product.
My friend Faith says that this pandemic will be the catalyst to make telemedicine a more widely accepted modality of care. “Telemedicine has been operational for 40 years. It has had a tremendous resurgence since 2016 and continues to increase in utilization. Telemedicine, including telehealth, is viewed as a viable option to access needed care. Copays and other fees are being waived both for commercial and Medicare patients. The virtual platform that is steering patients will become more widely accepted and utilized. There was already a push for digital applications to handle chronic conditions, urgent care, follow up visits, and medical consultations. It will be difficult to resume pre-pandemic modes of care.”
As I begin my third day of voluntary quarantine, I have changed the plans for our monthly meeting in favor of a ZOOM meeting. Based on government guidance, I decided to conduct a virtual meeting instead. It isn’t as useful from a networking perspective, but the content of the meeting will be presented well, and I will record the meeting for future reference. I am hearing that many of my colleagues have been engaged in virtual meetings this week. I imagine that many will become more accustomed to virtual meetings during this quarantine.
As people work from home for the next two weeks, many managers who are uncomfortable with remote working will have an opportunity to change their thinking. Imagine the overall benefit of working from home. Less commuting time via automobile will benefit employee mental health and productivity while lowering the cost of owning an automobile. The benefit to the environment and maintenance of infrastructure will be enormous. Mass commuting to and from work by automobile is no longer practical or sustainable.
Yesterday, I heard that Amazon.com is hiring another 100,000 workers. It’s safe to say that the home shopping trend, including restaurant delivery, will experience a surge of growth. One can imagine how restaurants will change their business models to accommodate more home delivery. I expect the creation of outlets providing delivery and carry-out only, without any accommodations for dine-in customers. This is a huge opportunity for grocery stores as well.
For the next two or more weeks we will be living outside our normal patterns. Disruption of our typical routine will certainly result in the creation of new habits. Working from home, making greater use of technology and new applications will reveal better ways to accomplish our work. I expect that our quarantine will be a catalyst for accelerating change.
I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox. Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.
Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.
Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners