In this issue:
- In Our Opinion: Bring On The Sequester!
- Blog Roundup:
- Are You Ready To Work for Private Equity?
- Are You a Digitally & Socially Proficient or Deficient CMO?
- Survey: Online Identity Update – Contest Ends March 5th
- Career Announcements: Healthcare, Investment Banking & Financial Services
In Our Opinion: Bring On The Sequester!
by Jeff Gundersen & Lola White
From our vantage point, we are seeing hopeful signs of progress early in 2013 with a number of business sectors advancing and hiring new C-level talent to fuel their global growth strategies. EC made two senior-level executive placements in January and we are working on three new senior-level global search assignments all related to clients expanding and growing global businesses!
In our opinion, all the current hype, hysteria and fear-mongering regarding the coming sequester deadline ($85 Billion in Federal government spending cuts will automatically begin being implemented as of March 1st) is just the U.S. government reminding the business sector they are collectively not doing their jobs. The dysfunction of our government leaders and their unwillingness to face the hard choices in making spending cut decisions is clearly concerning to the vast majority of CEOs we speak with regularly. Once again, we are experiencing our government getting in the way of business instead of doing their jobs, and their inaction threatens the current recovery.
There is something fundamentally wrong about the media messages we are receiving from Washington as they continue “politics as usual.” I say bring on the sequester cuts, they are desperately needed now, and cutting into our huge deficit spending will give the business sector the confidence the government is heading in the right direction and this will enhance the chances of a sustained economic recovery.
In yesterday’s (2/27/2013) WSJ, Phil Gramm authored an article entitled “Obama and the Sequester Scare“ in which he writes, “The president’s response to the sequester demonstrates how out of touch he is with the real world of working families. Even after the sequester, the federal government will spend $15 billion more than it did last year, and 30% more than it spent in 2007. Government spending on non-defense discretionary programs will be 19.2% higher and spending on defense will be 13.8% higher than it was in 2007.” So clearly, even if we proceed with $85 Billion in across the board budget cuts, we will not be in the dire straights some government officials are projecting.”
The federal government needs to take a page out of the corporate handbook. BOA just announced 17,000 layoffs, Time Inc. recently announced 2,000+ layoffs, and major staffing and expense reductions are major tools in the corporate playbook when economic conditions change and tough actions and decisions are warranted.
Clearly, the world is watching (including China which is holding most of the U.S. debt) and waiting for the U.S. to do the responsible thing. Whether it happens through reasonable compromise (unlikely this week) or automatic sequester cuts, reigning in federal government spending we can no longer afford is a critical element to a long-term, sustained economic recovery.
Blog Roundup: Did you catch these recent posts on our blog?
Are You Ready To Work for Private Equity?
As an executive search firm with a specialization in digital marketing, we obtain 20%+ of our assignments through introductions by private equity firms to their portfolio companies needing a CEO, CMO, CRO, CFO or other C-level positions. We are always looking for candidates who meet the needs of our clients and in particular…Read more
Are You a Digitally & Socially Proficient or Deficient CMO?
With digital marketing, social media, mobile advertising and marketing budgets growing at a compound rate of more than 20% annually, what steps are you taking as a CMO to build and develop your personal brand in an increasingly digital, social, and mobile marketing world?… Read more
Survey: Online Identity Update – Hurry…Contest Ends March 5th
As we continue to provide offerings that meet the evolving needs of our executive clients, we created this survey related to how executives manage their online reputation. Here are preliminary results highlights to date:
- 87% agree that their online identity plays a part in securing new roles and/or clients
- 57% report that their biggest challenge in building their online brand is knowing the right tools to utilize
- 85% agree that they should be investing more time in managing their online reputation
Here’s what else we know…Read more
Career Announcements
VP, Marketing Intelligence — Global Healthcare – NEW
VP, Digital/Social Marketing – Global Healthcare – NEW
Managing Director, Investment Banking
Senior Executive – Financial Services
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