Distorting the Truth

Merrainiacs:

We were all very excited to learn of Merraine Group's inclusion to Modern Healthcare's list of the largest healthcare search firms in the nation (April, 2012).  Yet, one of our competitors (the largest firm in the nation) wrote of their own firm that they are "....the only full-service leadership solutions firm dedicated exclusively to the healthcare industry, providing Interim Leadership, Permanent Executive Recruitment and Consulting Solutions to clients around the globe."   Huh?  Last time we checked, Merraine Group also offered "full-service leadership solutions dedicated exclusively to the healthcare industry, providing Interim Leadership, Permanent Executive Recruitment and Consulting Solutions to clients around the globe." We just do it on a smaller scale and we don't claim to be the only one!   

Now if you're the largest healthcare search firm in the nation, there's no need to distort the truth in order to impress your customers.  And why, oh why would you put this statement on your home page when it simply is not true?  We'd just respectfully ask that you not make claims you can't substantiate.  If my grandmother were around, she'd take your marketing department over her knee.  I'll leave the rest to your imagination as the visual on that isn't so pleasant.  I can hear her saying the words now, "Oh Doug, how could you say such a thing?" 

It is true that we're not as large as them but as so many candidates have told us, "I'm not a number with your firm.  I'm a name.  A person with feelings and emotions and concerns and you've got my best interests at heart."  Well, when you hear that...it just makes your day, and it serves as a constant reminder of why we're in this business. 

In summary, this distortion got me thinking about how firms can differentiate themselves.  Something to talk about in my next entry.  Oh no, I won't forget.  You'll hear from me next week.  Bank on it because we wouldn't want our competitors thinking they are the only ones with a unique story to tell.  What separates your search firm?    

Merrainiac                

The One That Got Away

Merrainiacs:

In an economy such as this one, there are many items that will give an individual pause when thinking about relocation. For example:

• Will I sell my home?
• Do I want to move away from my family?
• Will I enjoy a region of the country where the weather is so........ hot/cold/snowy/humid/rainy?
• Will I be comfortable living in a region that is so....................... homogeneous/diverse/different?
• Is it fair to take my kids out of school ................................................................... in the middle of the year/when they are close to graduating/when they have many friends?
• Is it fair to ask my spouse to leave a career that provides them a great deal of satisfaction?
• How will my probation officer feel if I move out of state?

OK, the last one was written in jest. However, these are great questions, and of course....we are just "scratching the surface." There are thousands of reasons you may want to gut-check that move across the country or out-of-state.

More than 95% of our placements are relocations. Let's face it. Hospitals often know their local markets and look to us to help them on a national basis. They know our reach is far greater, and Merraine Group is working in all fifty states, something they can benefit from. However, for every candidate that says, "I am ready to relocate," there are a few that have no interest in moving beyond the county lines.

Katy Perry has a new song out: The One That Got Away. While it's a story of love lost, such a lesson can be applied to some of our careers. Often, the individuals in leadership positions are those that were willing to "roll the dice" and move 1,500 miles away to a remote location where they had to start over. We've moved our fair share of senior executives including one recently from San Juan, Puerto Rico to South Dakota; New York City to rural Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida to a little hospital in Alaska that only has an air strip for several months a year. While some might have argued with the likelihood of success, each has worked due to our diligent screening process as well as an open employer/employee relationship that allowed for concerns to be addressed in a relaxed atmosphere where the new team member was made to feel a part of the family.

Experience in relocation is one of our hallmarks, and it is why we Merraine Group offers s full-service approach including relocation coaches available to help with every possible question that might arise throughout the process. If you've ever dreamed about "The One That Got Away," imagine if you had taken that opportunity, moved far away but landed the career of your dreams working for an organization that valued you as an integral member of their leadership team.

While relocation isn't right for everyone, it's important to remember that many opportunities are worth exploring because you never know where The Path Not Taken might have led.

Merrainiac

2011....Our Watershed Year

Merrainiacs:

One of my resolutions for 2012 was to be certain I was writing a blog entry with a little more frequency. So it was no surprise when my boss walked by me in the hall and said with a grin, "I really liked your blog post from August." I kind of got the hint.

So much happened in 2011, I think we'll look back on it as our watershed year. After ten years in business we saw our revenues more than double, our contract staffing business almost triple, we opened our third office, grew our staff significantly, added a key seat to our leadership team and appointed Meg to our Board.

Our retention rate is at an all-time high, our retained business has grown and a number of clients are coming on-board with our HR outsourcing solutions. All in all, 2011 was a great year and that is thanks to the wonderful candidates we represent, our amazing staff and the very best clients in the industry.

To be sure, we're not patting ourselves on the backs. As our leadership team has said, "We've got a long way to go." However, the signs are pointing in the right direction and for that, we are grateful. I'll be blogging more and updating you as we go forward in 2012....or else I might get another wise-crack. That's OK. I know my boss loves me :>)

Merrainiac