1. What is your role at LJTP(describe in more detail than just the title)?
As the Director of Business Development, my role is to engage potential clients who would like to explore our RPO solution to assist them with their hiring goals. I get to meet many different people, learn about their organizations and roles, and with their assistance figure out how LJTP can be a value to them and support their efforts to make their work lives a little easier. I get the pleasure of growing the list of engaged clients who are leveraging our expertise to find the best talent to join their organizations.
2. What did you do prior to joining LJTP?
Prior to LJTP, I was in the contingent/traditional staffing space for a few years at Aerotek in their Commercial Division. I left Aerotek and joined a family-owned food safety/commercial pest management organization in 2009 called McCloud Services. In 10 years, I advanced from Sales Rep to Sales Manager, to Director of Sales and in that same time frame was instrumental in the company’s growth from $18 million in revenue to $30 million. I managed a team of 10 B2B regional sales reps and account managers, as well as being solely responsible for all sales strategies and the sales function of the business.
3. What drew you to LJTP originally? And how has LJTP changed since?
I was drawn to LJTP by Tim and his mission. The fundamental core of what we do is to support businesses with a cost-effective, flexible, and variable outsourced talent acquisition model. It’s client-focused and driven to save companies money who are used to overspending for contingent firms because they don’t have an alternative. We are the alternative. It truly is a win-win partnership with our engaged clients. Because of the value we bring, the mission, and Tim Schumm’s drive and belief in the company he’s built, I just had to be a part of it.
4. What is your favorite part about working at LJTP?
Our people and our relationships with our customers. Tim has made it clear that he only wants people with high integrity, passion, and drive to be a part of LJTP. Because of that, our team is phenomenal to work with. We have fun and are accountable to our customers and each other day in and day out. It creates a very collaborative and supportive work culture centered around one thing, delivering for our clients. I also love meeting new people daily. The best part of my role is meeting new people, learning about them, and figuring out how I can help. I’m a people-centered person and very emotionally driven. I want to please our clients and make sure they come back after a successful engagement. It brings me joy when we perform for our clients, and they are happy that they took my call or responded to my email.
5. What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my role is being afforded the opportunity to distinguish LJTP from staffing firms. We are not a staffing firm, period. We provide services in that industry, but we are not a contingent or traditional firm. So sometimes it proves to be a challenge because I initially get lumped in with staffing companies and people haven’t had great experiences with some staffing organizations. If given a chance to explain our model and service delivery methods, that stigma goes away very quickly. Getting that opportunity poses the biggest challenge.
6. How has LJTP helped you grow personally and professionally?
It’s renewed my passion and drive for growth. I want to learn more. I want to try new things, and I want to push myself. Being a part of this organization from the ground floor has motivated me in ways that I haven’t felt for some time. I’m part of something special, and I’m an important piece of its growth and success. Other team members and engaged clients are depending on me to succeed. I’m excited to see what each day brings and how I can positively impact those who depend on me.
7. What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
When not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife and three kids. They are very active and in many activities that I love watching and being a part of. I also enjoy sports and playing softball with buddies, golf (when I can), spending time with friends, grilling, doing home projects and binge-watching the latest shows on Netflix (again, when I can).