Success in Top Echelon Network is predicated upon the building and fostering of relationships . . . and there are some things that don’t contribute positively to that process.  Like pressuring a Trading Partner about a split placement, or specifically, about the check associated with that split placement.

In this episode of “Top Echelon TV,” we take a look at why you shouldn’t pressure another recruiter about a split placement.  And of course, we use a “dramatization” to prove our point more colorfully.  “Who loves ya, baby?”  We do!

Pressuring another recruiter about a split placement is the topic of Top Echelon Network Policy #13, which Preferred Member recruiters of the Network can access in the Members’ Area.  If you have any questions about the policy, or any of the other Top Echelon Network Policies, contact Drea Codispoti at 330.455.1433, Ext. 153.

One of the challenges facing recruiters right now is a lack of job orders.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that there will be 321 job orders at the upcoming 2011 Top Echelon Network National Convention!

That’s right, those Preferred Member recruiters who are attending the convention will be bringing 321 job orders with them to sunny Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  They’re looking to share these job orders in person with other recruiters in attendance.  The names of the Network recruiters who are currently registered for the convention are listed below, along with their agency names and their number of job orders.

Mario Fidanzi of MedTeam Staffing, Inc.—75 job orders

Juli Smith of The Smith Consulting Group, LLC—66 job orders

Maria Hemminger, CSP of MJ Recruiters, LLC—19 job orders

Steve Brody of Executive Resource Systems—16 job orders

Joan Harris of Apple & Associates, Inc.—14 job orders

David M. Sgro of True North Consultants, Inc.—14 job orders

Mark Udulutch of Markent Personnel—13 job orders

Marty Stan of Samaritan Technical Professional—12 job orders

Mike Aquino, CPC of MPA Companies, Inc.—10 job orders

Eric Berg of JN Adams & Associates, Inc.—9 job orders

Leonard Hale of Hale & Associates—8 job orders

Bob Wylan of R.A. Wylan and Co., Inc.—8 job orders

Dan Simmons of Continental Search & Outplacement, Inc.—7 job orders

Steve Copeland of Albert Energy, LLC—7 job orders

Stephanie McGinty of Ives & Associates, Inc.—6 job orders

Kirby Butler, CPC of The Butler Co. Insurance Recruiters—5 job orders

Cathy George, CPC of C.G. & Company—4 job orders

Bill Quackenbush, CPC/CTS of QCI Technical Staffing—4 job orders

Chris Ramsay of Corporate Resources, LLC—4 job orders

Kenny Frey, CPC/CERS of The Frey Consulting Group, Inc.—3 job orders

Scot Straw CPC of C.G. & Company—3 job orders

Cindy Andrew Cordell, CPC of Corporate Resources, LLC—2 job orders

Sean Napoles, CPC of Career Brokers, Inc.—2 job orders

Bob Small of Carroll Technology Services, Inc.—2 job orders

Gary Silver of The Shay Group—2 job orders

Cindy Stephens, CPC/CTS of Stephens International Recruiting, Inc.—2 job orders

Jay Canowitz of Ives & Associates, Inc.—1 job order

Amy Dunn of Technology Recruiting Solution—1 job order

Tim Hopkins, CPC/CTS of Stephens International Recruiting, Inc.—1 job order

Stacy Worsham of The Smith Consulting Group, LLC—1 job order

Regular Registration is now underway for the National Convention, which is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, through Saturday, May 14, at The Westin Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale.  You can sign up for the convention in the Members’ Area with a credit card.  If you have any questions, give us a call at 330.455.1433.

Everybody likes to be recognized for their accomplishments and achievements—and Top Echelon Network Preferred Member recruiters are no different.  This is why we like to recognize them, in as many ways as we can.  One way is here in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog.  How do we recognize them?  For both monthly and quarterly performance in two categories—Recruiter of the Month and Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month.

Below are the winners of these awards for March of 2011, as well as the first quarter of the year.  We’d like to congratulate those recruiters who earned them and thank them for their efforts.  For more information about the placements and cash-in totals associated with these awards, please login to the Members’ Area and view the profiles and placement details of the recruiters involved.

Recruiter of the Month
Carol Brinkman of Corporate Resources, LLC

Carol was one of four recruiters who made two Network placements during the month of March.  However, she edged out the other three based upon her cash-in total for those placements.  The other three recruiters were Bob Ferris of Ferris & Associates, LLC; Sean Napoles, CPC of Career Brokers, Inc.; and Maria Hemminger of MJ Recruiters, LLC.

Recruiter of the Quarter
Sean Napoles, CPC of Career Brokers, Inc.

Sean made a total of four placements during the first quarter of 2011, and that total was one more than any other recruiter in the Network. David Wick of Career Center of Cincinnati, Inc.; Steve Brody of Executive Resource Systems; and Jim Strickland of BioSource International made three placements apiece.

Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month
Marla C. Ray of Scientific Resources, Inc. and Lisa Greer-Boland of Stewart Cooper & Coon

This placement was for a Director of Pre-Clinical Lab Operations.  Marla was the job order recruiter, and Lisa was the candidate recruiter.  The action causing this placement was listed as “Regular phone communication with a TE Network Member in my specialty area.”

Highest Split Placement Fee of the Quarter
Denise Milano Sprung of Joseph Associates, Inc. and Jan Clements of Med Exec International

This placement was for a Director of Clinical Pharmacology.  Denise was the job order recruiter, and Jan was the candidate recruiter.  The action causing this placement was listed as “Regular phone communication with a TE Network Member in my specialty area.”

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Top Echelon Network is a split placement network.  As such, we place an emphasis on split placements, and that emphasis constitutes our criteria for these awards.  We determine the monthly and quarterly award winners based upon two things: 1.) The number of split placements made, and 2.) The amount of cash-in dollars earned.

The best way to find out how to enjoy success in Top Echelon Network . . . is to ask the Top Producers how they’ve enjoyed success.  Makes sense, right?  Well, that’s exactly what we did, and now we’re going to present their answers in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog.

This week, we’re highlighting Rebecca Kohn of Affinity Executive Search.  Rebecca is currently ranked 20th overall in the Network in terms of production.  She’s made a total of 13 split placements in Top Echelon Network during the past three years.  Her specialty is Agriculture, Animal Science, and Food Processing.

We asked Rebecca some questions to find out exactly what she’s doing right in the Network and how she’s making split placements.  Our questions—and her answers—are listed below.  Thanks, Rebecca . . . and congratulations!

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1. What factors have led to your success as a Preferred Member?

“Help from God and Trading Partners who are very patient and trustworthy and are willing to go the extra mile to make sure that we are successful.”

2. How have The Four Pillars of the Network (Quality, Communication, Trust, and Active Participation) played a role in your success?

“My Trading Partners are completely trustworthy people who tell me what they’re looking for and communicate what is actually going on with the company, so that I know how to prioritize my time.  They are also really good recruiters!”

3. Have Regional Core Groups, Virtual Core Groups, or attending Top Echelon conferences and conventions played a role in your success?  If so, how?

“I haven’t attended [a convention] yet, but I’m looking forward to attending the upcoming one in Fort Lauderdale.”

4. How have the split placements you’ve made in the Network enhanced the overall production of your recruiting desk?

“Dramatically. Almost every split placement I’ve made has been through Top Echelon.”

5. What is your philosophy regarding split placements (i.e., how they fit into your business model, how many you strive to make in a given year, etc.)

“I make many more placements, and therefore much more money, when I focus on split placements.  I try to make as many as possible.”

6. If a new Member asked your advice about how to find good Trading Partners, what would you tell them?

“Find a Core Group of people you can trust and whose job orders you can basically understand.  If you’re an exporter, look for recruiters with good client control.”

7. What other advice would you give a new Member?

“Be persistent.  Really persistent.”

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If there’s a Top Producer you think we should be asking questions, email their name to marketing@TopEchelon.com.

Another week . . . another batch of split placements.  And more Preferred Member recruiters who want to compliment their Trading Partners for a job well done.  After a brief hiatus, our popular “‘Comments’ and Compliments” feature returns to The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog, mainly because recruiters just can’t stop praising each other for split placements.  (The truth be told, we don’t want them to stop.)

With that in mind, keep sending your compliments to us.  If you have comments for a Trading Partner regarding a split placement, please email those comments to marketing@TopEchelon.com.

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“Jim, nice working with you!  I’m looking forward to more split placements!”

Submitted by Russell Schutt, CSP of Progressive Executive, Inc., regarding his split placement with Jim Strickland of BioSource International

Position Title—Mechanical Engineer
Fee Percentage—23%

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“Sean and I have been working on this placement since October of last year.  He submitted three spectacular candidates to us, as he always does, and one of the three got the job.  Thanks, Sean, for being the NUMBER-ONE recruiter you are in the Network.”

Submitted by Michael Stuck of Gables Search Group, Inc. regarding his split placement with Sean Napoles, CPC of Career Brokers, Inc.

Position Title—ERP Project Leader
Fee Percentage—20%

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Remember, if you have comments for a Trading Partner regarding a split placement, please email those comments to marketing@TopEchelon.com.