The call came late one grey afternoon in January. The City Manager sounded a little down as he began. "We may need your help finding a new Public Works Director," he said hesitantly. "Tell me more", I said, "because we've just successfully filled three senior public works positions"
With that, the City Manager began pouring out his story explaining how after 20 years, Murray Mainguy, the only Public Works Director the City of Pleasantville had ever employed, was quitting. Murray had shocked everyone at the previous week's management meeting when he suddenly and unexpectedly tendered his resignation. Apparently, the stunned boardroom became uncharacteristically quiet as Murray told his fellow managers, "That's it, folks, that's all she wrote." He went onto to explain that he and his wife, a recently retired schoolteacher, were moving to Peachville, a little community on the shores of Lake Okanagan, ASAP. Murray went on to explain, "The 'For Sale' sign will be on our lawn in the morning. Mary and I have already made a down payment on our Peachville property."
"It was a real shocker," said the City Manager. "We thought we could get another five - maybe even ten years out of him, but it seems Murray had different plans. Who knew?" The City Manager added, "Apparently, EVERY 75 SECONDS, another 'baby boomer' in Canada turns 60, and they say it will continue like that for another 16 years. Murray says he'll stay 'til we find his replacement as long as it's before June 30th.
Then the City Manager shifted gears, "So", he enthused, "Ravenhill Group is quite well known ... your reputation precedes you. Everyone around here, and that goes for both Councillors and Staff, keeps telling me I just have to call Ravenhill Group. They say, 'Ravenhill specializes in municipal government recruiting.' My Director of Planning tells me that you are the only search company in Canada that specializes in municipal work to the exclusion of all other types of recruiting. Is that true?". "Yes, sir, that's a fact," I said.
"Anyway", continued the City Manager, "I met you briefly at the CAMA Conference last year and you gave me one of those credit card protectors. You explained how you guarantee your searches. Tell me again how that guarantee of yours works?"
I said, "We actually have two guarantees. The first one is this: We absolutely promise never to recruit from our clients. The last thing you need is to allow a recruiter into the inner workings of your organization, only to have him turn on you ... like the fox in the henhouse. You don't need someone who will recruit for you this month and recruit from you next month." I also explained, "There are many unscrupulous companies out there who operate like this - getting a town's confidence, and then poaching their staff." "Unbelievable," he whispered.
"Our other guarantee is our 365-day replacement promise. If we find you a new Public Works Manager and that individual leaves before the end of the first year, we promise to find a replacement at no extra cost to you ... no matter the reason for the departure."
"That's great," said the City Manager, "We were all worried for nothing. Now that we have established your guarantees, I should tell you that my friend Bill Robinson, Treasurer at the MD of Foothills, says that you really know what you are doing. He says that he and his hiring team were mighty pleased with the new Director of Public Works you found for them. He told me about the A.S.K. Selection process and how you and the Hiring Committee were able to narrow down the choices of candidates 'til you came up with just the right one ... and apparently you did it in a very timely manner too!
Anyway, Mr. Malcolm, you and your team have a reputation for being very good at what you do. I really want to get some outside help with this one ... I want someone fresh who can really take Pleasantville to the next level. I am convinced that we can trust you.
Please send me the contract and a summary of how you work so we can get started on this right away."
