Comments for David Henderson - consultant, author, journalist

Comment on How Much are Head Hunters Hurting PR? by Shari Weiss

Shari Weiss — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:48:11 +0000

David and Dennis, this article and response bring up a topic I had never known about during my years teaching university PR courses.

Dennis, if you can contact me, I’d like to find out more about what it was like “in your trenches.”

When I talk with my students, I’d love to be able to tell both side of the story. You can find me on LinkedIn.

Comment on It’s About Brand Leadership, Not Marketing by Shari Weiss

Shari Weiss — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:22:37 +0000

David, the two biggest hurdles I find are (a) corporate hierachies with no internal champions to understand and “translate” the New Media message for fearful decision-makers and (b) territorial-protecting, short-sighted PR people, who want to continue burying their heads in the sand.

In time, of course, it will be the visionaries who lead. Great ideas here in the third-party recognition of your company’s leadership.

Comment on Online Newsroom vs. Online Cemetery by Dale Greer

Dale Greer — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:52:14 +0000

I guess I talk at people on my Facebook Page, but I get a lot of hits. I guess that is because about 90 percent of the 1250 something “friends” I have are ex-students, and the pyschology is I am still their teacher? What do you think? Interesting.

Comment on How Much are Head Hunters Hurting PR? by David Henderson

David Henderson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:12:58 +0000

Dennis,

Maybe you are right … I am demonizing run-of-the-mill executive search people, even those at the largest firms, because they by and large do a poor job in the area of PR and communications.

My blog posting was written more from the perspective of feedback I have received from many colleagues than my own experience (because I am an independent consultant).

I must say, however, that you have a superb reputation. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

David

Comment on How Much are Head Hunters Hurting PR? by Dennis Spring

Dennis Spring — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:18:09 +0000

Hello David,

Interesting piece.

However, I think you’re attempting to demonize the messenger (the headhunter), without having all the relevant facts at hand.

The relationship between candidate, headhunter and client is not as simplistic as you would have your readers believe.

In my 30 years of PR headhunting (and 15 years before that as a PR database marketing executive), I have always found that the most successful PR executives are largely people who understand and nuture the relationship and roll that a headhunter plays in this dance called recruiting. For the most part, they are people who realize that the usual give and take one encounters in every business, is certainly alive and well in the headhunting business.

As for the lack of certification or rigorous testing from a recognized state or federal entity I would certainly agree that just about anyone can call themselves a headhunter. However, PR “professionals” as well can put out a shingle, make unrealistic promises to both their clients and media people, with little to no experience in PR or the industries they specialize in, without ever being certified or sanctioned by any state or federal governing body. Case in point – what day has gone by without a member of the media railing about the lack of knowledge or sheer ineptitude of the PR people that besiege them every day?

In both PR and headhunting there are numerous success stories from clients and candidates alike who will gratefully attest that they owe some portion of their success to the efforts of either a PR professional or PR executive recruiter.

Until both businesses are sanctioned by a state or federal entity we all must continue to move forward to offer the best and most ethical service we can provide to our clients – until the free marketplace deems otherwise.

By the way, I’m 65 years old and have been in and around the PR business since I was 19 years old. I believe I know PR as well as anyone.

David, keep up the good work.

Best regards,

Dennis

Comment on Everyone’s Got Something to Sell by medical insurance

medical insurance — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:23:11 +0000

Michael Moore has more brains and common sense than all of the Republicans combined. It’s good to see the GOP getting nailed on their luddite and obstructionist tactics, since they do nothing to move America forward. It seems like the Republicans would prefer to live in the Stone Age instead of the 21st century.

Comment on How Much are Head Hunters Hurting PR? by Eric Mondschein

Eric Mondschein — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:51:49 +0000

You have brought to light a serious situation, one that has effected so many more during these difficult economic times. It is a shame that there are no professional standards or ethics to turn to, unless one considers what is being done as fraud. In very general terms and for our purposes here, and of course, it may mean something different in each legal jurisdiction, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain. So one might ask, if there was never a real opportunity for a position, and the head hunter received a fee, was a fraud committed? You again have raised a matter that should be of concern to many.

Comment on On My Birthday, Some Observations by Steve

Steve — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:00:14 +0000

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY — HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT ONE. — Steve Kayser

Comment on Driving Toyota’s Reputation into the Wall by Reputation Beats Everything | Amplified Analytics Blog

Reputation Beats Everything | Amplified Analytics Blog — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:11:50 +0000

[...] a deaf ear to the small voices of your Customers can easily turn them into a roar like the one Toyota is experiencing today and Dell experienced 5 years ago with XPS overheating. Being proactive early [...]

Comment on On My Birthday, Some Observations by mpreeti

mpreeti — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:08:11 +0000

Thank you for your comments. But much of what we feel/see now has been perpetrated by mainstream media isn’t it? Perhaps Citizen journalism will evoke memories of what journalism is supposed to be, and Print may survive, naysayers be damned!

Comment on On My Birthday, Some Observations by Hattie

Hattie — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:18:57 +0000

Happy Birthday! Like you, I’m celebrating another year of life this month(today as a matter of fact)and can appreciate the direct approach. All the watered down politics, rhetoric and awkward dancing around issues, especially those with no rhythm to speak of is so boring. Thank you for putting it out there where it belongs – in our faces.