The Talent Buyers' market and a guy named Kurtis...

With a 6.5% unemployment rate and approximately 240,000 people laid off last month (over 1.2 million jobs lost year-to-date), it is a Talent Buyers’ market. The vast pool of unemployed Talent (and the eager army of the currently employed) are more ready than ever to listen to your hiring sales pitch.

The lovely and talented Dina Berta wrote this article last week in NRN-Laid-off Midlevel Execs Face Tough Job Market.

from the article:

“There were nearly 100 layoff actions in the hospitality industry in September, up from 37 in the same month last year, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau reported 7,552 claims for unemployment insurance last month by personnel from the accommodations and foodservice industries, up from 2,681 a year ago.”

Clearly job seekers have a tough task. Leverage has shifted in the hands of the hiring managers. So are you taking advantage of a time to upgrade and aquire top talent.

One of my longtime mentors Kurtis Montgomery was mentioned in the article. We worked together for many years. Recently, I’ve been working with him on finding a gig and defining his Ultimate Career Lifestyle.

Talk about talent you want in these economice times! Kurtis get’s his thrills figuring out how to save and make the company money. I’ve never seen a guy so maniacal about it (and good at it). He's become quite the famous Profit Guy, check out the song Budweiser's Real Men of Genius recorded poking fun at Kurtis on his home page. I suppose that’s why he was responsible for over $127 million dollars in sales.

My favorite thing about KM is his drive to develop people. Under Montgomery’s leadership and dedication, he built a region from 3 to 30 restaurants. Eight District Managers, two Regional Managers, a Regional Vice President and Senior Vice President of Operations are just a few of the many Montgomery prodigies.

Who couldn't use a guy like that?
Kurtis Montgomery's resume…

Kurtis Montgomery Resume.doc


this is your guy. Better catch him now, before I talk him into starting his own chain and becoming your competitor.

While most companies are downsizing, smart companies are seizing the moment and taking advantage of the fact that there is Tremendous Talent out there exploring opportunities. Even companies that are downsizing need to take advantage of these opportunities, and make upgrades. Today, getting your maximum Return On Talent is more important than ever.

Amanda Hite
talent revolutiona drastic change in thinking and behaving with talent.