Let's Talk a Little Shop | ASD Market Week

The Rise of Female Leadership, Old Thinking is Killing Your Culture, and WFH is Here to Stay | Jamie Grossman, PRTNR Recruiting Firm

November 13, 2023 ASD Market Week - The Largest Wholesale Merchandise Trade Show in the U.S. Season 3 Episode 2

In this episode of Let’s Talk a Little Shop, Emilie Lewis interviews Jamie Grossman, the founder of PRTNR Recruiting Firm. 

PRTNR Recruiting Firm isn’t the traditional placement agency, they specialize in full-time job placements in consumer lifestyle industries. And unlike many recruitment firms, Jamie doesn’t work with just anyone. She only works in her zone of excellence and her company’s strengths. 

In their conversation, Emilie and Jamie start off by discussing:

  • How to debunk misconceptions when it comes to recruiting,
  • Mindful recruiting practices,  and only taking on candidates or clients that fit your zone of excellence,
  • And why It’s okay to turn away business and/or refer it out.

Jamie goes on to share how the hiring and Human Resources practices are changing. She shares that before the pandemic, job candidates once got sick and vacation days; now she’s seeing mental health days added to those offers. 

Traditional Thinking Is Killing Your Company Culture

Now that people are returning to offices, she’s also seeing the WFH model being challenged by senior leadership because they want people back in the workplace. 

Jamie advises that companies really take a hard look at how companies are operating in 2024 and beyond. 

Rethinking Hire Slow, Fire Fast

When it comes to hiring in 2024, Jamie recommends that companies be very specific in their job descriptions and expectations in the roles they’re hiring for. 

Emilie and Jamie also talk about the hire slow, fire fast mentality. The onboarding process is extremely important, so setting your candidates up for success needs to be taken into consideration before you extend an offer. 

Three Signs of Great Talent

Jamie goes on to share the three signs of great talent. Great talents has:

  • Excellent follow through, 
  • They always arrive early, 
  • and they clearly communicate. 

These are the people you want to keep because they’re going to constantly deliver beyond your expectations. 

Hiring for Trade Shows

When it comes to trade shows, companies can and should apply the practices as well. There are companies and recruiters that now specialize in trade show recruiting. People who understand how to represent a company at a show are in high demand. 

Future of Hiring

Hiring in 2024 isn’t going down, but it is changing and pivoting. People are scaling back to find the right people, but jobs haven’t decreased.  Jamie is also seeing strong, female leaders are starting to step up and be seen. 

The future of the workplace includes transparency, clear lines of communication, and empathy. If you don’t have those, you’ll lose out. 

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