Ruse / Rusing - Handle the truth
Here it Goes.. its lengthy but a great read.. you won't be disappointed
"Name Sourcers VS Rusers: A disconnect?
There has been quite a lot of discourse, deliberation, and other discussion debauchery relating to rusing in our industry. I've been keeping a very close watch on the dramatic debate (This post is sponsored by the letter "D") and have noticed a very interesting phenomenon that doesn't quite make sense.
It is obvious that the great majority of participants in this dispute with the exception of the old-timers (much respect to the old-timers) and a few seemingly rare other individuals who dare to voice their disagreement are drawing some sort of line in the sand, as if by crossing that line ("rusing"), they would be casting themselves into some deep dark recess of hell from which there is no escape. According to this "moral" majority, the inference can be drawn that indeed their soul will eternally burn in hell, no doubt about it (are these the church-goers I wonder?). Not only that, but anyone admitting to such a practice (rusing) might as well be burned at the stake...not for being a witch, but for being "witchly" in their immorality. Does anyone sense a disconnect starting to rise? And I haven't even gotten to it yet.
First off, since this argument really boils down to a question of morality, there really is no argument, is there? My moral compass is different from your moral compass, is different from his, is different from hers, is different from those folk over there. So why would I care if you ruse or don't ruse? Why would you care if I do or don't? Morality is hardly something that can be easily changed or even swayed. Just because "She" doesn't ruse and thinks it is wrong or immoral or what have you, does anyone think there are any odds at all that "She" would ever change "His" mind if he follows an alternative moral code which he strongly believes in and uses rusing successfully to feed his family...and with his head held high no less? I think "Her" odds of changing that behavior are....um....well, let's just say you wouldn't want to take a search assignment (job order, actually) with odds even close to the same zip code.
So where am I going with all this? First of all, the argument is useless, I think I've made that point clear. But here's where I'm really going with this article, as the title indicates....
Almost every "Name Sourcing" company out there touts "organizational chart" sourcing in which their end product includes every name in either the entire division of interest or every name in an entire organization with titles to boot creating an “org chart”. And yet we never hear these name sourcers defend the use of the technique of rusing! Now do you see the disconnect?
We all know that there are MANY name sourcers out there...yet I have yet to witness a single sourcing company defend their own practices. I've spoken with these people and they all say their information is obtained strictly by picking up the good ol' telephone.
Simply then, if it's true that they use the telephone (even if they use the internet to supplement) how else would a complete organizational chart be compiled if not from rusing? If not FOR rusing? These people make their living by doing nothing else! I have seen people who promise and claim up-and-down that they don't lie in this business. Of course, I will not name names, but you know who you are. These people claim that they don't lie, or that they simply omit the part which would cause them to lie, so “in effect”, they're not lying. Wow, I'm not married, but if I were, I don't think not telling my wife I cheated on her would make the cheating any more OK to do just because I didn't tell her!!!!
If a horse has stripes, it's a zebra, you know? Seriously people. You're in the search/recruitment business. If you don't like it, get out. And for god's sake, own up to what you do for a living.
For those people who still don't get it, let me be crystal clear: Have you ever gotten past the gatekeeper after she asked what your call was regarding by NOT telling her you wanted to recruit someone in her company???? Whether you "omitted the part that would cause you to lie" or straight out lied, YOU LIED. YOU DID IT. DON'T TRY TO DENY IT. If you got past a gatekeeper after being asked your business, there's a reason you still managed to get past her. You lied, told an untruth, or did something else less than what you have been touting as "moral". Live it, love it, believe it. Congratulations, you are a recruiter.
Now back to these "suspicious" name sourcing companies! Can you imagine how they get their "org charts"?...
SOURCER: "Um yes, hello, this is Ace Jones with Ace Names Sourcers. I need a list of all the people in your company please."
RECEPTIONIST: "Ace Names Sourcers? What is it that you do and why do you need a list of our people?"
SOURCER: "Well my client, Your Direct Competitor Inc, just lost a few key employees and they mentioned your firm as having the best people in the business. Quite honestly, they would love to hire away some of those top employees of yours that make your business so profitable! You should take that as a real compliment, really! And I source names from my client's competition. I'm just doing my job and would appreciate your helpful assistance please...after all, I haven't been this honest with a receptionist all day. Again, you should feel complimented! Now, let's get down to business, shall we? Let's start by last name with your "A" employees and go from there...hold on while I get a pen please."
RECEPTIONIST: (Click)
SOURCER: "Hello? Ms Receptionist? How rude! I was being totally honest and moral with her and she had the nerve to hang up on me! What did I do wrong???!!!???"
I think my point is clear. There's a reason we don't see name sourcing companies chiming in with their two cents: name sourcers ruse. And guess what? They are still in business. They pay their rent somehow.
So name sourcers, unless you can legitimately "defend" your business from crossing that line in the sand and can prove your non-rusing practices with more than just your "good word" (well if you ruse, what use is your word to me!?), we've all got your number. You ruse. Feel free to join the discussion, you are now called-out.
For the record, I don't force my morality upon anyone on either side of the fence. As you can see, I'll berate both sides until everyone comes clean. Write my name down now if you'd like to make an enemy out of me for doing it, but I'm sure you'll have a long line to wait in.
Whether you pretend to be an angel or claim no morality to seize an economic advantage, I'll call you all out all day long until you come clean. I guess it's just my nature.
Leron Simon, President
Construction Talent Partners, Inc.
http://www.ctpsearch.com
Interesting was one of the comments..(which is kind of MY TAKE as well)
"I've worked for some companies in the past that really frowned upon using. However, they paid Name Gen companies tens of thousands of dollars for information. I always thought that was kind of wierd.
"We don't do it. But we need the info. So, it's OK if you do it and e pay you for it. Just as long as WE don't do it."
Obviously there are different levels of rusing. As many have mentioned, representing yourself as a Gov't employee is probably not a good idea. Telling a company you are actively targeting them for a
competitor is just as bad, if not worse! Somewhere in the middle is here the best Name Gen/Sourcers/Research pros continue to have success."
About :- CONSTRUCTION TALENT PARTNERS, INC is a national executive search firm specializing in construction management, development, real estate, and property management. The firm has successfully helped recruit at all levels: from a Director of Construction on a $700 Million 3-tower high-rise project, to Chief Estimators, Assistant Project Managers, and boardroom level positions. Whether the client is a construction company, a real estate development company, or other entity needing to add a strong construction professional to their team, Construction Talent Partners is a compelling asset in any search.
Visit The Construction Talent Partners, Inc website at www.ctpsearch.comto read more about this unique organization.
Rithesh
thanks for inviting me to this post. Somehow I guess the disconnect is mostly with those who don't understand that one Doesn't have to lie (ruse) to do this job. So, because they cannot see the forest for the trees, they assume that everyone else cannot either.
I won't get into the moral ethics conversation except to say, if one thinks that ethics in business is Personal, then maybe that person should consider taking a business ethics class. Enlightening And Educational at best.
Moving on from the Ethical dilemma, Here is something that may be of interest to many readers. In regards to to Ruse calling (lying) to gain company information, especially when using electronic devises (phone included), is against the law. Yes, it can also be More of a federal issue when one is doing interstate commerce, crossing state lines with that phone. Darn that 1 on the phone
So, if you have a problem figuring out what your moral compass is, then think about the legal implications. I won't bore you with the details, except to say that federal and state laws both apply with regards to business laws!
I will like to close with this. I learns from the best in this industry (thanks Snelling), and one thing they taught us was NEVER, EVER LIE, misrepresent yourself, and always be honest.
They taught us how to Gain names of the competitor without Ever having to Call into the competitor to get those names.. What a concept.
Today, I train in those concepts, and if anyone wants to discuss them with Me, please feel free.
Karen Mattonen
858-668-3111
acssearch -at- prodigy.net
FYI, why do many of us care about what others do in this industry.. Because the NEGATIVE B.S behavior of One person, affects us all.. As the saying goes, It all trickles downhill doesn't it..
Reply to this
In the war for talent ones does "anything" to win.
ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR --John Lyly's 'Euphues' (1578).
Reply to this
"Anything", "All"? First off, let's address the fallacy "war for talent" Regan. If there indeed were a war for talent, then companies would be paying higher salaries; they would be more interested in hiring EMPLOYEES and offering better, stronger benefits; they would be less pickier in their recruiting practices, and placements would happen quicker.
Regan, today there are more People than there are jobs.. Yes including qualified.
So, please let's drop that tired old spin, which is being used by smarter employers who were educated by silly recruiters, so now they (the employer) is smarter than they are..
Okay, I digress... You use an argument that appears to say that it is "ok" to do Anything, or All that you want to do, because of a particular situation or event.
Well that is total Hogwash and Bullshit. (yes, I used the word, bullshit, there, I said it again) -
That to me is an EXCUSE for an individual to try to sleep better at night, and not have to worry about the guages that Society has created for us in regards to tolerance.
regarding your analogy, why do we get angry if our house was broken in and they stole what was "yours", what you worked so hard to maintain, and keep as your own. Why do we even need a right to privacy?
Should we not have more empathy then at the poor guy who could not put food on his kids table and decided to rob you.. should we not be more understanding to his rationalization that it is easier to rob and steal and take what is Yours, than find another way, a better way... And then why don’t more people rob or steal?
Look, what we are saying is that there is always a more positive way to do business or to be successful. There is no need to lower your standards as there are productive and creative but healthier and less harmful ways to do your task - If you don't know how, I promise I CAN HELP, instead of fearing those words, ethical recruiting.. give me a call.
“we cannot gauge the moral level of the human race unless there is a perfect standard outside it by which it can be measured.”
“If each person is a law alone, then civilization is already dead and those who remain are but its pallbearers. This observation also applies to unions, companies, and other organizations within the larger society that occasionally claim the absolute right to act in the self-interest of their owners or members without any regard for the rest of society. That is, they define good to be what advances their collective power or position, even at the expense of all others.”
Rick Sutcliffe The Fourth Civilization-- Technology Society and Ethics
karen mattonen
Reply to this