The Pinnacle Take

Empathy, Family, and Success in IT Recruitment with Kim Knoll

Are you navigating the challenges of IT recruitment in today's competitive and ever-changing market? Seeking practical solutions from industry veterans who combine empathy with success? In this inspiring episode of the Pinnacle Take Podcast, our host Benjamin Mena delves into the heart of technical recruiting with celebrated expert Kim Knoll. With over 23 years in the industry and a key role within the Pinnacle Society, Kim shares invaluable insights that bridge the gap between personal growth and professional acumen.

Kim discusses her journey from a “bull in a china shop” approach to mastering empathy, highlighting how treating recruits and clients as humans rather than transactions has fueled her enduring success.

 

She offers sage advice for newcomer recruiters and seasoned professionals alike, underlining the power of joining professional associations and relentlessly honing one's craft.

 

1. Empathy in Recruitment: Kim emphasizes the critical role of empathy—learning it profoundly through parenting—and how it reshapes interactions and outcomes within IT recruitment.
2. Current Market Insights: Understand the dynamics of the current down market and how to prepare for the anticipated upturn. Kim shares her strategy for refining pipelines and maintaining organizational readiness despite recessionary conditions.
3. Role of Community: Discover the benefits of being part of a supportive community like the Pinnacle Society. Kim encourages more women to join and highlights how this association has been instrumental to her career longevity and success.
4. Leveraging LinkedIn: Kim’s effective use of LinkedIn, landing 85% of her placements through her network, and tips on niche marketing and content relevance to avoid becoming "white noise".
5. Personal and Professional Balance: Balancing a demanding career with family life, Kim's story offers a blueprint for managing work-life harmony in high-stakes recruitment.
6. Lifelong Learning & Passion: Advice for maintaining zest for the profession, avoiding jadedness, and continually revisiting what ignites one's passion for the job.

 

Join us in this episode as Kim Knoll illustrates the intricate blend of empathy, strategy, and community involvement necessary to thrive in IT recruitment. Listen now to gain actionable insights and elevate your recruitment game to unparalleled levels.

 

Dive into this enlightening episode to reshape your recruitment strategies.

 

Connect with Kim Knoll on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimknolliowaitrecruiter/

Pinnacle Society: https://pinnaclesociety.org/

Mastering the Rainmaker Model in Recruitment with Nathan Zimmerman

Are you striving to become a top recruiter while managing an effective team in a challenging market? Want to transform your referral-based business into a strategic powerhouse? In this insightful episode of the Pinnacle Take Podcast, our host Benjamin Mena welcomes Nathan Zimmerman, a recruitment industry leader known for crafting high-performance teams. With his roots in the finance and accounting sectors, Zimmerman has spearheaded the growth of the private equity division at High Country Search Group, and now focuses on nurturing "rainmakers" to drive success. This episode is invaluable for recruitment professionals wanting to excel by leveraging strategic partnerships and innovative growth models.

1. Exclusive Insights into the Rainmaker Model: Learn how Nathan Zimmerman’s recruitment firm excels through referrals, strategic partnerships, and focusing on People, Process, and Passion to deliver top-tier results.

2. Creating Opportunities through Intrapreneurship: Discover the growth paths within Nathan’s organization that allow associates to lead new practice areas in corporate affairs, showcasing a sustainable model of intrapreneurship.

3. Effective Recruitment and Mentorship Strategies: Gain practical advice from Nathan on hiring high-caliber talent and the importance of mentorship, supported by industry giants like Monte and Danny Cahill.
   
   Unlock key tactics and methodologies to elevate your recruitment business. Listen now to master the rainmaker model and transform your approach to building winning recruitment teams.
   
   Nathan Zimmerman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betteringlivesandhavingfun/
   Pinnacle Society: https://pinnaclesociety.org/

Building Elite Teams While Being a Top Biller with Mike Williams

Curious about what it takes to join an elite circle of top recruiters and scale a successful recruitment business? Eager to uncover key insights that can reshape your approach to recruiting and leadership?

 

In this episode of the Pinnacle Take Podcast, our host Benjamin Mena sits down with Mike Williams—a recently inducted member of the prestigious Pinnacle Society. Mike delves into his journey from a top biller to a successful business owner, sharing invaluable strategies and lessons learned along the way. This conversation is a goldmine for aspiring recruiters and experienced professionals alike, aiming to elevate their game in the recruiting industry. Dive into Mike's insights to learn about growth, leadership, and the cutting-edge methodologies that set elite recruiters apart.

 

1. The Brotherhood of Pinnacle Society: Discover how joining the Pinnacle Society transcends mere membership to form a close-knit supportive community. This segment uncovers the power of networking and mutual support among the industry's best.
2. Ethics and Reputation in Recruiting: Mike emphasizes the importance of integrity in recruiting. Learn how recruiting genuine, ambitious, and loyal talent can dramatically improve the industry's reputation.
3. Personal and Professional Development: Get personal success insights on what drives individuals to achieve their goals. Mike shares how upbringing, personal motivation, and an unyielding drive propel professionals toward success.
4. Tackling Business Growth Challenges: From handling financial readiness and legal hurdles to scaling from 1 to 5 employees, Mike reveals practical advice and real-world experiences that can guide new business owners.
5. Training Excellence: Learn about Mike's hands-on training methodology, including shadowing live calls and the essential role of cold calling in the recruiting process.
6. Building Client Relationships: Understand the significance of nurturing relationships with key influencers in growing companies and the impact of consistent, meaningful interactions.

 

Listen now to gain insights from Mike Williams and transform your recruitment strategies. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your approach, this episode offers essential tactics and motivational stories to propel your recruiting career forward.

 

Mike Williams LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikewilliamscarnegiesearch/

Pinnacle Society: https://pinnaclesociety.org/

Beyond Resilience: Success, Family, and Recruiting Strategies with Jennifer Poloni

How do you thrive in the ever-challenging world of recruiting, maintain strong family bonds, and build a resilient business? In this riveting episode of the Pinnacle Take Podcast, host Benjamin Mena is joined by distinguished recruiter Jennifer Poloni. Jennifer shares her extraordinary journey through the ups and downs of the recruiting industry, and how resilience, self-care, and robust community support have played an essential role in her success.

Jennifer's insights are especially valuable for both emerging and experienced recruiters keen on boosting their career prospects and business outcomes. From coping strategies for tough days to the importance of mentorship and relationship building, this episode is brimming with actionable wisdom that can revolutionize your approach to recruitment.

1. Coping with Industry Challenges: Jennifer dissects her methods of handling bad days through self-care practices like golfing and walking, which help her maintain a balanced life and clear mind.
2. Family and Business Integration: Learn how Jennifer incorporates her family into her business, preparing her son to take the reins, and how to consider personalities and motivations when involving family members.
3. Networking and Long-term Success: Discover the benefits of attending conferences for relationship building and long-term success, plus the impact of a robust follow-up strategy, which Jennifer credits for 70% of her yearly revenue.
4. Optimizing Recruitment Strategies: Jennifer shares her targeted approach to deep diving into specific job titles within organizations to exploit AI automation opportunities and emphasizes personalization over automated outreach methods.
5. Pinnacle Society’s Role: Learn about the Pinnacle Society's pivotal role in Jennifer's career, from providing emotional and operational support during personal tragedies to offering top-notch training.

Explore these topics and more to elevate your recruitment strategies and ensure sustained success. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry's best. Listen now and start paving your way to a more resilient and prosperous recruiting career.

 

🔗 Connect with Jennifer Poloni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferpoloni/

🔗 Learn more about the Pinnacle Society: https://pinnaclesociety.org/

The Power of Adaptability and Strategy with Jen Meyer

Curious about Jen Meyer’s journey from aspiring business owner to exceptional recruiter? Want to learn the strategies that have propelled her to the pinnacle of the recruiting industry?

In this insightful episode of Pinnacle Take Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with top biller and talent acquisition expert Jen Meyer. Known for her bold and innovative approaches to the field of recruiting, Jen shares her evolution from focusing solely on money and competition to embracing teaching and making a positive impact on others. Her candid reflections on early career struggles, including an 8-month period without placements, offer invaluable lessons for up-and-coming recruiters. This episode is a goldmine for anyone looking to enhance their recruiting game and build meaningful client relationships.

1. **Strategic Career Development**: Discover how Jen's experience as a former business owner enriched her ability to have strategic conversations with clients, emphasizing the importance of leveraging one's strengths and being adaptable in a dynamic industry.

2. **Innovative Recruiting Tactics**: Learn about the significance of pattern interruption in conversations, tactics for effective MPC marketing, and engaging in conferences and speaking opportunities to broaden your network and deepen client relationships.

3. **Essential Tools and Influences**: Jen dives into the tools that have made a significant impact on her career, including the Crelate platform for customizable reporting and the influential book "Who Moved My Cheese?" Additionally, she highlights the support and growth opportunities provided by the Pinnacle Society.

Unpack the mental challenges of recruitment and gain practical advice on how to approach fee negotiations authentically, prioritize tasks strategically, and focus on continuous learning. Jen Meyer’s experiences and insights are a guiding beacon for aspiring recruiters to make 2024 their best year yet.

Listen now for a deep dive into the methodologies and mindsets that define success in the recruiting world!

Connect with Jen Meyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmeyergovig/

Pinnacle Society: https://pinnaclesociety.org/

The Pinnacle Take…Inside the Pinnacle Society with President, Gail Audibert

Are you seeking to scale new heights in your recruiting career and curious about what it takes to join the exclusive ranks of the Pinnacle Society? In this insightful episode of the Pinnacle Take Podcast, host Benjamin Mena welcomes Gail Audibert, president of the Pinnacle Society, to discuss the elite world of top-tier recruiters. Gail shares her journey and the innovative strategies that have propelled her to success, including her unique approach to business development and client engagement in today’s digital-first environment.

 

1. **Revolutionizing Client Engagement**: Discover how Gail uses personalized video messages to enhance response rates and build immediate rapport with potential clients, moving away from traditional cold calling to a more personalized approach.

 

2. **Impact of Mindset on Success**: Learn about the profound influence of being around some of the highest billers in the industry has had on Gail’s career, instilling a positive mindset that’s essential in high-stake sales roles.

 

3. **Building a Network of Excellence**: Gail discusses the benefits and rigorous criteria of the Pinnacle Society, a network that not only fosters professional growth but also personal connections among the industry's top performers.

 

4. **Strategic Career Insights**: Gain insights into Gail's pivotal career decisions, from choosing the insurance recruiting niche to launching her own firm, and how these choices have shaped her path to success.

 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about advancing their career in recruiting and understanding the dynamics of joining a distinguished community like the Pinnacle Society. Tune in to learn from one of the industry’s most esteemed figures and get inspired to push your limits in 2024 and beyond.

 

Listen now to harness the key strategies and insights that define the top 1% of recruiters.

 

Pinnacle Society: https://pinnaclesociety.org/

 

Gail Audibert LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audibert/

 

 

 

The Pinnacle Take...Takes on ”A Network of Friendlies!”

How do we play at a higher level? Get Bigger Fees…become a Player! Every recruiter playing power games with paranoid middle managers wants to know…and yet we make a plan, gear ourselves up to talk to “big shots” and change our life, and two job orders get called in. And expenses are high right now…and maybe next year would be better to make this kind of change. Mike Silverstein wasn’t having any of that. He came into the biz and was fearless about cold calling. He went to a Healthcare Trade Show because his firm’s niche was dead, and, well, healthcare can’t go away…right?! And he not only crushed it, but he made the transition into higher level fees and the world of C suite/VC and PE searches. He built his firm by emulating the operating structures of his clients. And he has never stopped making rain because he has never stopped making BD calls. He’s doing it as you read this. But they’re not cold calls, Mike calls them his “network of friendlies”. In the affable, inspiring and deeply human style that had Staffing Industry Analysts calling him… “One of the most influential Millennials in Staffing”, Mike shares his approach and story with Danny.

Getting Real about ”Branding/Content/Influencing”. With an Expert

You know the drill…you get interested in becoming a LinkedIn Super User and Posting Phenom after getting your butt kicked on the phone. No return calls, no headway on your desk. And more of the same coming tomorrow! Pinnacle’s Branding Guru, Pree Sarkar, felt your pain. But unlike most of us, he made changes. Trial and error…blog postings? Surveys? Posts about your company outing or your harrowing trip to the dentist? How about a Podcast, everyone loves a podcast? Maybe you have a book in you? (Twain said, “everyone has a novel in them, and that’s where it should stay”. But Pree wrote the Amazon best seller Switch, became a LinkedIn “Top 1% recruiter”, did live workshops, and hosts a podcast with clients and industry thought leaders in his niche. And Guess what, he tells Danny all of this creates more billings, with less energy and effort. Pree is giving and honest as Danny drills down. How is your day structured? How many posts a week? Where do you get the ideas? What are the metrics for success. Do you still have a phone based daily plan? (duh, yes) You’ll come away from this episode a Pree fan, that’s a given, but you’ll also have a blueprint of how to replicate his success.