We hope this e-zine message finds you working remotely and staying safe during this “highest risk” stage of the global COVID-19 virus pandemic!
COVID-19 is presenting unprecedented challenges to companies and citizens around the world. However, despite mandated business and office closures, “stay in place” orders, and social distancing, businesses and executives in career transition must continue moving forward!
As a “virtual” company since 2003 with consultants working nationwide from home offices, we offer this advice to our clients and friends while working remotely:
1. Use video conferencing – EC has used Skype, Zoom, and other video conference tools for decades to connect with people worldwide. Use videoconferencing to stay in touch with family, friends, and business partners. On a social basis, many friends/families are meeting for virtual “happy hours” via “Houseparty,” FaceTime, and other mobile apps. Maintaining personal contact is important especially during April 2020 when most of us are staying in and social distancing to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
2. Learn new skills – while conferences, schools, and other learning events are shuttered, there are many online blogs, webinars, and books available to support remote learning. Select a couple of new topics/skills that will enhance your personal brand and spend time reading and attending selected online programs to learn new skills that will expand your knowledge and capabilities.
3. Polish your brand – with layoffs happening in several hard-hit sectors, this is an ideal time to review and update your resume, bio, LinkedIn profile, and use of social media. Either on your own, or with a personal branding consultant, Google yourself and see what comes up. Then proceed with an action plan to update your personal brand materials to position yourself powerfully for new career opportunities when the global economic recovery arrives. EC is working with several clients currently on these updates.
4. Keep a positive attitude – while this is a devastating situation, keep a “glass half full” attitude and remain positive knowing global solutions are underway that will resolve this crisis within the next several weeks and months.
As a trusted executive search consulting and career transition management firm, EC consultants are offering clients 30 minute complimentary conference or video (“Zoom”) calls to connect and catch up, and offer our firm’s support/advice related to their biggest current brand/business challenge.
If we have not already connected with you, pls. reply to this communication with dates/times and we will schedule a video call to catch up.
Stay safe!
Best,
Jeff Gundersen
Addendum – Current EC Executive Search and Career Transition Projects
EC Advises Staying In Action
EC is advising our clients to continue actively pursuing their long-term career objectives knowing the global economic impacts of the virus pandemic are forecasted to improve substantially by early in the 2nd half of 2020. With most of us working remotely, this is a great time to reconnect with past colleagues and friends, and use telephone calls and video conferences as a way of social networking and discussing new business and career opportunities.
The advantages of continuing to be in action now include:
- With the majority of people working remotely for the next 30-60 days, people are actually easier to reach (and connect with) right now.
- For companies with talent/hiring needs, executives in hard hit sectors (i.e., travel, hospitality, retail) are more likely to consider a job change currently since layoffs are pending/happening in many sectors.
- For executives in career transition, senior leaders (CEOs and other C-level executives) are more accessible now since they are working remotely and traveling less than usual.
New EC Executive Search & Career Transition Assignments
Our firm, Executive Connections LLC, is continuing to provide both retained executive search consulting services as well as career transition management services for displaced executives.
Here are 3 current EC assignments that demonstrate EC business is still ongoing during the current COVID-19 crisis:
1. One of our clients (public company providing technology solutions) hired EC to recruit a Sr. Director, Business Development (Head of Partnerships). We advised our client the business slowdown in certain sectors (i.e., travel/hospitality, CPG, retail) might make highly desirable business development candidates more interested to explore new career opportunities.This assignment started on March 17 and the position description can be found on EC’s website under “New Career Opportunities.” EC has quickly reached and screened several qualified candidates who are beginning interviews currently with our client.
2. Another client is an ex-Chief Marketing & Chief Digital Officer of a regional banking company who recently accepted an exit package as part of a merger and subsequent corporate restructuring. EC is assisting our client to execute a targeted C-level outreach program to CEO in various sectors as well as PE firms. This campaign is scheduled to launch after the upcoming Easter holiday and the regional bank is paying EC to provide transition coaching and consulting services for this executive.
3. Another client is ex-Chief Marketing & Communications Officer of a global life insurance company who recently accepted an exit package as part of a corporate restructuring and is starting career transition. EC is assisting the client to execute a targeted C-level outreach program to CEOs in the retirement sector as well as related consulting firms, associations, and PE firms. This campaign launched recently and EC is acting as “exclusive talent agent” for this executive. The global life insurance company is paying for the career transition services via their outplacement benefits program.
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