As promised, we have a NEW short survey for Network recruiters this week.  Last week, our survey was presented as the “Desk Assessment Survey.”

This week, we have the “Membership Assessment Survey.”

This one, as you might have guessed, is more geared toward your Top Echelon Network Membership.  We want to know your likes, as well as your dislikes.  However, once again, this is just a two-question survey.

While the two questions are open-ended questions (as opposed to multiple choice), the survey should still only take two to three minutes to complete.  In fact, it could quite possibly take even less time than that.

Below are the two questions that comprise the “Membership Assessment Survey”:

1. What do you like the most about your Top Echelon Network Membership?  This can be ANY aspect of your Membership, but ideally, it’s the aspect that you believe provides you (and your firm) with the most value.

2. What do you like least about your Top Echelon Network Membership?  This can be ANY aspect of your Membership, but ideally, it’s the aspect that you believe provides the least amount of value to you (and your firm).

As before, there will be a text box in which you can type your answers to these two questions.  Your answers can as long or as short as you would like them to be.  Some recruiters have written only a few words, while other recruiters have written paragraphs.

Click here to take our ‘Membership Assessment’ survey!

If you have any questions about this survey or about your Top Echelon Network Membership, you can contact me at 330.455.1433, x156 or via email at drea@topechelon.com.

You may have heard that we at Top Echelon have moved into a new building.  And since we’ve moved into a new building, we’d love for you to visit us!

In fact, two Network recruiters have already paid a visit to our “new digs” in Canton, Ohio.  Those recruiters are David M. Sgro, CPC of True North Consultants, Inc. and Bob Gabor of The Gabor Group.

Of course, they were also good enough to pose for a photo op while they were in town, and the photos from those ops are located below:

ONE TO SGRO ON: Dave Sgro is pictured with Top Echelon employees J.D. Fye (left) and Lori Elliott.  True North Consultants is located in North Ridgeville, Ohio, just north of Canton.

WHAT ABOUT BOB?: Bob Gabor is pictured with Top Echelon employees Drea Codispoti (left) and Mark Demaree (right). As an Ohio State University alumnus, you can see Bob is doing his best to “represent.” OH . . . IO!

If you’re a Network recruiter and you find yourself in the Canton area, we’d love for you to pay us a visit, too!  Just give us a call at 330.455.1433 and we’ll set it up . . . including the photo op!

Oh, and don’t forget to visit our Facebook Fan Page.

In the 25-year history of Top Echelon Network, not many recruiters have enjoyed a three-year stretch like the one that Trey Cameron of the Cameron Craig Group is currently enjoying.

The Recruiter of the Year for 2011 and 2012, Cameron is once again leading the pack in 2013 . . . and of course, he’s snagging Recruiter of the Month awards along the way.  He’s at it again this month, or more specifically, for the month of May.

Let’s run the numbers again, shall we?

• 19 Network placements so far this year
• 160 placements since becoming a Network member
• Nearly $250,000 “cash-in” in the Network during the past 12 months
• Nearly $1.2 million “cash-in” during his Network tenure

Cameron has turned his recruiting desk into a Network placement machine, and that machine doesn’t appear to be winding down anytime soon.

At the Top Echelon recruiting network, we recognize recruiters for both monthly and quarterly performance in four categories—Recruiter of the Month, Recruiter of the Quarter, Largest Split Fee of the Month, and Largest Split Fee of the Quarter.

For more information about the recruiting awards listed below, login to the Members’ Area and view the profiles and placement details of the recruiters who won them.

 — — —

RECRUITER OF THE MONTH:

Trey Cameron of the Cameron Craig Group

There was no need for a tiebreaker this month.  Cameron made four split placements during the month of May, one more than two other Network recruiters.

The two recruiters who made three split placements in May were Deb North of Deb North Consultants, LLC and Michael Stuck of Gables Search Group, Inc.  Among the recruiters who made two split placements were Gene McQueen of the Cameron Craig Group and Steve Kohn of Affinity Executive Search.

 — — —

LARGEST SPLIT FEE OF THE MONTH:

Michael Petras of Lodestar Executive Search, LLC and David Brandau of Midwest Executive Search

The position for this placement was a Director of Dealer Development.  Petras was the job order recruiter, and Brandau was the candidate recruiter.  The action that stimulated this split placement was Membership Development Coordinator Drea Codispoti, CPC/CTS.  Petras stated that, “Drea told me to call David for help.”

 — — —

Our criteria for these recruiting awards:

The Top Echelon recruiting network determines the monthly and quarterly award winners based upon two things, which are listed below in order of importance:

1.) The number of split placements made
2.) The amount of cash-in dollars earned as a result of those split placements

This explains why, when multiple recruiters are tied with the same number of split placements during a given month or quarter, the recruiter with the largest “cash-in” total for their placements is deemed the winner.

At the Top Echelon recruiting network, we constantly encourage recruiters to post ALL of their job orders to the Network databases.  That’s because doing so increases the chances that they’ll make more placements and generate more revenue for their firms.

But don’t take it from us: take it from a Top Producer!  That Top Producer is Pamela Ratz DeVille, CPC of the MMS Group in Brentwood, Tenn.

DeVille made seven Network splits in 2011 and four last year.  She’s currently ranked in the top 40 in the Network in terms of overall production during the past 12 months.  (Please, no references to Casey Kasem.)

In addition to posting all of her jobs to Top Echelon Network, Ratz-DeVille also advocates building and nurturing Trading Partner relationships and leveraging the power of the Hiring Hook recruiting websites.

Put all of that together, and Ratz-DeVille has made an investment in her recruitment membership in Top Echelon that has paid dividends in the form of split Network success . . . and continues to pay them.

— — —

What have been the keys to your success in Top Echelon Network?

“It has been a combination of finding a few select recruiters who understand my niche and can consistently identify and recommend good candidates and also the Platinum Recruiting sites that consistently re-post my opportunities and are well-connected.”

What value do you believe the Network provides for your firm?

“An opportunity to draw from a much broader pool of candidates and increase the odds of finding the very best.”

Who are the Trading Partners you’ve been working with?

“Trey Cameron, Bob Vogt, Kate Sousa, and a few others.”

Why do the relationships you have with your Trading Partners work so well?

“They have very good resources for reaching candidates and they understand and respect how I like to work with my clients and my partners.”

How would you describe the activity level in your niche?  (Bateman places Sales & Marketing and Retail Management professionals, among others.)

“Managed Care is very, very active right now and should continue to be for the foreseeable future. It is an excellent market but not one that is easy to learn, so I believe it keeps the number of recruiters in this space down.”

What are your goals for future production in the Network?

“I would like to find additional partners to work with and especially recruiters in my niche that have job openings I can provide with excellent candidates.”

What advice would you give to a new Preferred Member recruiter just starting out?

“Post all of your positions on TE!  You never know where you will find your greatest success until you try some things.  Be honest and direct with your partners in providing feedback.”

Don’t say we didn’t warn you!  Actually, this is more of a “friendly reminder” than anything . . . giving you a warning has such a negative connation, and we wouldn’t dream of such a thing.

At least not at this early juncture.  No, right now we just want to remind you that the 2013 Top Echelon Network Fall Conference is scheduled for Thursday, October 3, and Friday, October 4.

So mark your calendars!  Circle the date!  Tell your friends and neighbors!  (Well, maybe not that last part, but the first two, for sure.)

Once again, the location for the Fall Conference will be the Sheraton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel.  The Windy City has been kind to us down through the years, and that’s why we’re going back for yet another event.

The preliminary agenda for the 2013 Fall Conference will be available soon (and by soon, we mean as early as a month from now).  Not only that, but we’ll also have the price for Early Bird Registration, so you can sign up early, save some money, and beat the rush.

So have a great Memorial Day holiday and an even better summer . . . but DON’T forget about the Fall Conference in October.

Consider yourself warned.

— — —

“Ashley and I wanted to take a moment to say what a great time we had at the [National Convention] last week. The place was beautiful!  Your staff was great!  The conference itself was fun and educational.

We look forward to seeing everybody in Chicago. Great job!”

Ron Caley of Caley Enterprises

— — —

330.455.1433, x156
drea@topechelon.com
Connect with Drea on LinkedIn.
Follow Drea on Twitter.

Needless to say, Danny Cahill of AccordingToDanny.com presented three top-notch, engaging sessions at the recent Top Echelon Network National Convention in St. Petersburg Beach, Fla.

Without a doubt, those in attendance benefitted from attending the convention and listening to Cahill’s sessions.  However, even if you didn’t attend the convention (shame on you, by the way), you can still benefit from Cahill’s training.

That’s because for a limited time, Top Echelon Network recruiters receive a 10% discount on the price of membership to AccordingToDanny.com!

Benefits of membership include a video center, tools for recruiters, tools for managers, script critique, and number tracking!

Learn more about AccordingToDanny.com!

Not only that, but every new member of AccordingToDanny.com receives a free phone consultation with Cahill.

You can even receive a FREE demo of AccordingToDanny.com.  To receive your FREE demo, just call (203) 439-0267.

Since the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby occurred this past Saturday, it’s only fitting that the April race for Top Echelon Network’s Recruiter of the Month honors came down to the wire.

And the winning recruiter is . . . Greg Downs of Downs Associates by a nose!

It also makes sense that the Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs.  Get it?  Churchill DOWNS.  Never mind.

Is there any way to weave current events into this blog post even more?  Of course!  This past Saturday was also May 4.  How is that significant?  Because it was “Star Wars Day.”

May the fourth be with you!

April was certainly with Greg Downs, as well as with the many other Network recruiters who nearly caught him at the finish line.

At Top Echelon Network, we recognize recruiters for both monthly and quarterly performance in four categories—Recruiter of the Month, Recruiter of the Quarter, Highest Split Placement Fee of the Month, and Highest Split Placement Fee of the Quarter.

For more information about the awards listed below, login to the Members’ Area and view the profiles and placement details of the recruiters who won them.

 — — —

RECRUITER OF THE MONTH:

Greg Downs of Downs Associates

Downs was one of many recruiters who made two split placements in the Network during the month of April.  However, his overall cash-in total for those two placements was larger than anybody else’s total, earning him first place.

Other Preferred Member recruiters who made two split placements during the month of April included Amy Dunn of Technology Recruiting Solutions; Sean Napoles, CPC of Career Brokers, Inc.; Deb North of Deb North Consulting, LLC; John Peterson of Sun Recruiting, Inc., and Michael Stuck of Gables Search Group, Inc.

 — — —

LARGEST SPLIT PLACEMENT FEE OF THE MONTH:

Kirby Butler, CPC of The Butlers Co. Insurance Recruiters and Mike McDonough of General Search and Recruitment

The position for this placement was Insurance/VP Commercial Lines.  Butler was the job order recruiter, and McDonough was the candidate recruiter.  The action that stimulated this split placement was listed as “Regular phone communication with a Top Echelon Network Preferred Member recruiter in my specialty area.”

 — — —

Our criteria for these production awards:

Top Echelon Network determines the monthly and quarterly award winners based upon two things, which are listed below in order of importance:

1.) The number of split placements made
2.) The amount of cash-in dollars earned as a result of those split placements

This explains why, although Downs was tied with four other recruiters with two split placements apiece during the month of April, he won the award based upon his cash-in total for his two placements.

Last week, we highlighted recruiters who attended the recent Top Echelon Network National Convention in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog, specifically the fact that those attendees made a bunch of split placements recently.

Well, guess what?  We’re doing it again!

This time, though, we’re highlighting convention attendees in our “‘Comments’ and Compliments” feature.  Some of the phrases included with these comments include “FANTASTIC to work with!” and “fabulous to work with!”  Here are three more quick facts:

1. Three of the four recruiters below were at the National Convention.  (Once again, their names are italicized.)
2. Since the first of the year, those three recruiters have made a total of eight Network split placements combined.
3. Two of the three recruiters have only been in the Network for a little over a year.

You don’t have to be in the Network for a long time to enjoy success within it.  All you have to do is participate—and that, of course, includes attending conferences and conventions.

If you’d like to compliment another Network recruiter about a recent split placement, submit those comments with your Completed Placement Form, and they’ll appear in a future issue of The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog.

— — —

“Deb has been FANTASTIC to work with! Her candidates are all extremely well screened and well qualified!  She’s a real pro to work with, and I look forward to making even more placements with her!”

Submitted by Recruiter Name Withheld regarding his split placement with Deb North of Deb North Consulting, LLC

Position Title—SECURITY SOFTWARE SALES REP

Fee Percentage—20%

(Editor’s note: This is the first split placement that Shoulet and North have made together in Top Echelon Network.)

— — —

“Judy has been fabulous to work with!  This is our second placement together, and we look forward to a strong, continued partnership.”

Submitted by Jim Petitpren of The PRA Group, Inc. regarding his split placement with Judy Kaplan of Prof’l Recruiting Consultants

Position Title—EMBEDDED MEDICAL ENGINEER

Fee Percentage—30%

(Editor’s note: This is the second split placement that Petitpren and Kaplan have made together in Top Echelon Network.)

May is here! Spring is here! We’re back from the National Convention in Florida, and we brought the warm weather back with us.

AND I have the Virtual Core Group (VCG) teleconference call schedule for this month.

During VCG meetings, Network recruiters share information that includes hot job orders and hot candidates.  They also discuss the activity that they’re seeing in the marketplace and within their niche.

When Network recruiters share this type of information, they’re more likely to make split placements!  It’s been proven over and over and over again.  So attend these meetings—and make more placements!

Below is the VCG teleconference call schedule for May (all times listed are Eastern Standard Time):

If you’d like to join an existing Virtual Core Group or start a new one, please give me a call at (330) 455-1433, Ext. 156.

Sometimes you need a friendly reminder . . . and we’re here to give you one!

That friendly reminder is about the 2013 National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS) Conference, which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, through Friday, September 13.  The location: the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This year’s jam-packed event will feature a number of benefits for executive recruiters.  Those benefits include the following:

• 20 of the recruiting industry’s leading speakers
• CPC, CTS, and CERS certification sessions
• Networking lunches
• Fast-track speaker breakouts
• An “Owner/Manager Special Day” embedded within the conference!
• And a whole lot more!

We’re pleased to announce that Hiring Hook recruitment website design and Big Biller recruitment software are both sponsors of this year’s NAPS Conference!

The cost to attend the 2013 conference is $795 for NAPS members and $1,195 for non-members.  However, recruiters are encouraged to contact NAPS to inquire about special pricing and payment plans.

Since its inception in 1961, NAPS has built a reputation as being the educator for the executive search and staffing industry.  NAPS has accomplished this not only through its annual conference, but also through its certification program and emphasis on continuing education.

We’ll see you in Vegas!  Be there or be square!