Two people are discussed, both of whom I know personally (through business) and one of whom applied for a job with Firebrand less than 12 months ago. A profit figure for the Australian and Asian businesses is talked about and the budgeted profit for next calendar year is debated. They talk about competitors and at one point I thought Firebrand was going to be discussed. And there I am, the Firebrand CEO, almost part of the conversation!
It’s truly amazing, isn’t it? These same dudes probably agonise over having all their staff on legally-binding restraint clauses. They will pay lawyers thousands to chase down ex-employees who ‘abuse company information’ and yet there they are, in a business lounge, talking loudly and arrogantly about the most sensitive of information. Even if I had not been a recruiter I would have found that conversation extraordinary and irresponsible.
And so it’s a cautionary tale for all of us in this industry. Not only senior managers. Many years ago, my own business was located at 275 George Street in Sydney. That building has 12 levels, and my company occupied two of them. And yet there were 10 other recruitment companies in that building!
What other industry has such a concentration of competitors? And even in those days I was amazed at how you could get in the lift and hear indiscreet consultants prattling on about clients, candidates and often, colleagues. How immature. How irresponsible.
In our business our stock in trade is not only talent. It’s information!
Information is power, and so is trust.
Abuse one and you destroy the other.
Greg Savage is the founder and driving force behind Firebrand Talent Search.This article first appeared at Firebrand Ideas Ignition.
