Many companies wait until a key player walks out to look for a replacement. That's a good way to end up with B players.
Wouldn't life be easier if it were possible to hire great people quickly and cheaply? That's the goal of most employers. So why is the hiring process so time-consuming and expensive? Why do topnotch managers wind up with people they have to dismiss later?
In my experience as a recruiter, I've found that there's one mistake that even seasoned managers make again and again. They don't start recruiting people until a position opens up, then wind up rushing through the process. That's way too late.
Most business owners unlike baseball managers have no backup. They have no bench and when one of their star players falls or becomes traded they are scrambling to fill the open position. Result: They are forced to hire in a frantic hurry and end up with second-string replacements.
It may not be practical to have an actual bench of people waiting for a shot at any new opening at your firm. But you can get to work on building a virtual bench, a group of people whom you have identified in your industry as people that you would like to hire at some point. Many of these folks will have jobs right now, but because you know of each other and you share a mutual respect you can develop a relationship that may ultimately lead to that person joining your firm.
To prepare yourself to recruit those potential candidates for your virtual bench, create a chart on paper and be sure to ask your senior managers if they would provide you with a confidential list of the most talented competitors in your industry. These are your own team members who know and respect their competitors and they will be the advocates that you need to prepare a list focused on your "Virtual Bench" prospects.
There may be a circumstance that might prevent you from contacting this list of potential prospects and that's where we may be able to assist you with making the connection. We are in a position to confidentially act on your behalf and ascertain the interest level of a competitor who you have identified as someone for your "Virtual Bench". This confidential search program is conducted on an hourly basis.
