Client: Living Direct
Role: VP of eCommerce and Marketing
Location: Austin, Texas
Sometimes a client approaches HireBetter with a pretty good idea of what they think they need in a new hire and they’re right. Other times, we get a chance to shine when we help a client realize that a truly great hire can mean so much more for a company than they originally thought. When Rick Lundbom came to HireBetter, he thought that he just wanted someone to manage his eCommerce and Marketing division. Little did he know that we would deliver his right hand man who would quickly propel his business to new heights!
Intake:
Rick initially was really set on hiring a serious, but simple marketing person. He wanted someone who had a very strong grasp of traditional e-commerce marketing principals AND was comfortable with big web data. Furthermore, he wanted someone who was competitive and would thrive while working with his very young team (in his mid-30s, Lundbom is the resident “old guy” in the office).
He had a very specific model of an ideal candidate (even one “perfect” candidate in town who he said we would not be able to get) and a few specific types of candidates that he wanted to target. He asked us to recruit those candidates first, but still use our expertise to find the right person for the role, whoever that was.
After we did a full intake evaluation, however, we realized that what the client really needed was a leader, someone with the leadership acumen AND technical skills to mentor and inspire his very young team.
Strategy and process:
As the client requested, we were sure to recruit the specific candidates that he wanted. So we did. And after we finished recruiting, we had three very strong candidates who met Rick’s criteria lined up and wanting the job:
- A candidate with both Internet and retailing experience? Got it.
- One with e-commerce experience at a top 200 e-tailer? Done.
- Someone like his ideal local guy? We actually got the “perfect” one who he thought would be unattainable.
…But we also found someone better. From the first time we met him, we had a feeling that Dave was the guy. Dave didn’t really fit the mold of what Rick said he wanted; he started off in tech and had only later gained an affinity for marketing. We convinced the client to at least give him a call, and though he remained interested in his other candidates, we could tell that he knew that we might be onto something.
Then came the Topgrading® interview…
After putting the candidates through the VERY thorough Topgrading® interview process, it became abundantly clear who was the right one for the job. After four hours with Dave, Rick was totally sold. Though he didn’t look like the candidate the Rick initially had in mind, he knew that Dave was an A-player.
Results:
He was right. Not only has Dave been able to lead the eCommerce and Marketing division at Living Direct, he has become Rick’s right hand man. “He’s earned my trust,” Rick said. And more than that, his presence has allowed him to work on growing the company.
“We are up 30% year over year and Dave is a big part of that…but he’s also freed up my time to work ON my business instead of IN my business.”
Dave has been fitting in very well at Living Direct, and even allowed Lundbom to get some much needed R&R: “I was able to take a two-week vacation for the first time in a LONG time.”
There’s nothing better for us than to see our clients so surprised when they see how much great talent can help their business. Rick Lundbom came to us looking for a simple marketing guru. What he got was a leader for his company, trust in his new partner, and the time to live his life again. We’re glad to have gotten to help.
Want to see how HireBetter can go above and beyond for you and your company? Take a look at how we’ve helped other clients, and then drop us a line. We’d love to show you how HireBetter can help take your talent to new heights.
