On the shoulders of giants

[Simon Townsend]

I caught up with an old family friend today who is in the recruiting space, although for a completely unrelated industry. During our conversation she mentioned some of the roles she is actively looking for. After I hung up I sent her a link to a search I'd run based on one of the criteria she'd mentioned. This simple search had brought back 84 suspects she hadn't had previously.

It was at this point that I realised just how lucky I am to have received the training that has brought me to my current position. So much that I take for granted is not known by others in the industry.

As such I thought it was important that I take the time to say a public "Thank you" to those giants who allow me to see far.

First and foremost I need to thank HRX as a whole for giving me my start in search. Without them I would not have known that such a fulfilling career existed. In particular I need to thank Brent Pearson and all of the members of the search team when I started. It was a great team. I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to work more with Paul Westmoreland as he's one of the few people I know in recruiting who is geekier than me (that's a compliment Paul). Andrea, Tim, Anne, Kim, Christian, Andrew, and Bec, you all helped me along with patience and kindness. Thank you all. Tauri, don't fire me... thank you.

I also need to say a huge thank you to Shally Steckerl for all of his training. So much of my daily activity revolves around techniques and tips that Shally passed on. If you ever get a chance to work with JobMachine leap at it. I don't think that there is better sourcing training available.

Additionally I get more information daily from some of the biggest names in the industry, people who are always willing to share and help the community. We are all indebted to you. Below are links to some of my favourite sourcing blogs.

Jim Stroud
Shally Steckerl
Amy Beth Hale
Steven Kempton

And to you, thanks for reading.

[Paul Westmoreland]

Here here. HRX deserves credit for launching sourcing here. Seeds were planted. It's good to see how some of the ex'ers now lead sourcing in benchmark companies. I'm sure HRX will keep going well with the tradition they started here.

[Simon Townsend]

Oh man... I had my glasses off and didn't notice. Damn.

[Brent]

Hey Simon
By the way, whats with the "Gaussian Blur" on your picture.. Trying to be incognito?

Your not that bad looking ;-)

[Simon Townsend]

It's great to hear that HRX are still moving from strength to strength, and that all the accounts are successful. I'm sure that HRX will receive the recognition it deserves as the pioneer of sourcing in Australia.

[Brent]

Hey Simon

Thanks for the kind words. I think that as time goes by HRX will probably be credited with really launching the world of sourcing in Australia. We hired some good people and stumbled around learning the ropes.

Without a doubt sourcing will become a very strategic occupation going forward. I'm still presenting to exec teams regularly about the competition for labour moving forward and the importance of competitive advantage.

I'm sorry to see some good people leave HRX, but I'm also proud to see that we have played a role in spawning a new industry in Australia.

Simon you'll be happy to know that the sourcing function at HRX continues to go from strength to strength, we have refined our model and we are really having incredible success on pretty much every one of our accounts with sourcing.

Old Shally's back in April for another special training session.

Andrea, good job in promoting the group.

Remember... have fun.. and remember there's more to sourcing than just internet research... stay broad, push yourself out of your comfort zone and focus on results (and metrics).