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Last night, one of the best BDM's in the game called Sebastian called me at 11pm my time, just for a quick unscheduled catchup which ended up being about an hour's conversation.

Before finishing the call, I thanked him for his feedback and keeping me in the loop, and he then unexpectedly said to me that I'm the best recruiter in the business...​ ​​ He concluded that he really just wanted to make sure I stay in the loop and to thank me for all the help over the years. WOW!​ ​ It goes without saying that I was naturally quite flattered! Make no mistake, this can at times feel like a thankless job, pouring into what feels like a black hole at times...but deep down I know many DO read and listen even if they don't always say anything, often not until much later.

It's one thing having the confidence that you ARE good at what you do, -that you make a difference...-that what you do MATTERS and that it isn't just me blowing my own trumpet. So, having someone like Sebastian say that to me, means a lot. Rock on dude!

Look, I'm often guilty of long emails and messages, like this very message! ​ I guess its because I do enjoy communicating perhaps in a less traditional and conventional way...having something that's more of a conversation than just exchanging a few facts and passing along job posts, - doing a bit more than the mere needful and bare minimum. Things are often long when I have lots to say, its that simple.

As with this job and our industry, how I do what I do is also not for everybody. Substance, meaning, and the pursuit there-of, amongst other things, is an ongoing exercise on my part. ​ The quick-fix, average Joe's types and the likes quickly drop off and unsubscribe from these massages.

That obviously 100% fine, and I prefer it that way, because on the flip side...sometimes less really IS more. There's never a gun to anyone's head to stick around and I don't judge anyone. I just get to see WHO leaves! ​ I do what I do for the more critical thinkers, the entrepreneurs...and not just for those who want to think outside the box and build a future for themselves, but more and more for those who realize it might perhaps be a good idea getting out of the whole damn box altogether!

These are the folks who's been on here for 6,7 years...many who are and have become sales and production game changers. ​ They know who they can contact for a decisive positive change, who's going to be quick on the draw and not pull teeth for weeks on end like some others do. As you all know, or SHOULD know...time literally is money in this game. I would hope that most of you know that I'm not the local yellow pages and that I run a business. Believe it or not, there are still some folks I have to respectfully remind of this fact in a roundabout way from time to time.

​Having done your job myself, the irony of procrastination with some who's core business it is to teach and motivate others how to plan for their financial futures, not seemingly able to get their own house in order (companies and IFA's alike) is not lost on me. It does directly affect me as well at times and so I regularly review who I really WANT to work with, or continue to work with. ​

 That all said, I thought I'd run this golden oldie below past you all again. It's something I try and live by on a daily basis! ​ It might all be old-hat to some of you, but I for one am never too old to learn and try and learn something new EVERY DAY.

Skill Stacking

So let's talk about skill stacking. ​

Skill stacking, when used wisely, can propel you to the top of your game. ​

But what exactly is skill stacking?.

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It’s the combination of various skills employed to achieve an objective or perform a job effectively. ​

How can you ensure you potentially become one of the best in your industry or niche?

The secret isn't in being the best at one specific thing, as that can often be subjective. ​ Remember when our moms told us we had the best voice, were the most handsome, or played guitar better than anyone else? Typical mom stuff, but not always factual. ​

Well, skill stacking is about being in the top 5-10% of a variety of complementary skills.

​ Consider this example: ​

• Ronaldo is not the fastest football player in the world... but he IS fast!
• He's not the best striker in the world, but he's a pretty good striker.
• He’s not the best with headers, but he's in the top 5%
• He's not the hardest working player ever... but he certainly works harder than most
• He doesn't have the most stamina, but his stamina is great.

​ ​Together, these skills have made him the best football player in the world, according to popular opinion.​ ​

Steve Jobs, at heart, had a passion for design—whether fonts, packaging, or architecture. ​ He was obsessed with the look and feel of products based on his education and inspirations as a young man.
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• He was NEVER the best in the design world... but over time he developed a keen understanding of winning design principles.
• He combined this with deep insights about people, technology, strategic thinking, salesmanship, his ability to extract everything from his team, and his entrepreneurial skills.

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Together, these skills helped him form Apple, one of the most valuable companies in the world over the last few years!​ ​

Now, what about YOU, as an advisor?​ ​

Humor me when you have a gap and perhaps write down a few skills you believe will make YOU succeed and things that sets you apart from others in our industry. Now, rank yourself and compare your skills to others. ​

That done, now focus your development on getting to the top 5-10% in your own skill stack. This will make you a game changer in our field...and that is how you could become one of the best in our industry.​ ​

I'll use myself as another quick example:- Here's my own skills stack:​ ​

• I can program and code, but I’m not a Google software engineer.
• I can create websites as a then-qualified web developer, but I’m not at the top of the latest protocols.
• I get and know HOW to get Google #1 placing for my niche. I have 20 years practical SEO experience, although I'm not a full time practitioner.
• I’m a musician, a bass and guitar player, recorded professionally, opened for some big names on big stages —but I’m not playing for Metallica or Alter Bridge.
• I use Adobe software like Premier Pro, After Effects, Dream Weaver, older Fireworks and modern Illustrator...but I’m NOT a top designer, though I get better all the time.
• I have 15 years of sound and pro studio recording experience, but I’m not Kid Rock or Bon Jovi.
• I make videos, I edit, produce, etc. using a Razor Blade 15 Gamer Laptop and Redmagic mobile devices, but I’m not George Lucas or James Cameron. I love it, and I’m improving all the time. (See my WhatsApp status updates and see for yourself what I do just for fun...because I CAN.)

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 So, in my own recruitment niche and within the above context, I know that nobody does what I do quite the way I do it. I don't work FOR anyone and so I also have a lot more freedom to be creative. ​

Ultimately, my job is connecting people, and for that I charge companies a fee. ​ ​Sometimes placing a candidate involves only 10 minutes of actual work!​ ​

How do I get to do that?

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Well, its because I’ve spent 15+ years learning HOW TO do what I do, which at times now can take as little as 10 minutes.

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I charge companies for the 15 years, not the 10 minutes! For that its worth, my fee to place YOU with a company is very fair and equal to the proceeds of a mediocre piece of business -- so every advisor or BDM worth his oats should be able to cover their fee shortly after starting. ​ We've all heard some version or iteration of this "I charge for the 15 years, not the 10 minutes" before, but it is how things work when you're a specialist.

Some folks I have placed have become senior directors with some companies...so suffice to say they've paid for themselves a 100 times over. ​

Hopefully, there’s a small nugget or two in here for someone out there!

Well, let me end off here for now. Phew...well done if you made it this far! haha ​ Whether you're a principal or advisor, please let me hear from more of you. Let me help you doing what I do best, so you can focus on what YOU do best. If you have any questions or need to have a chat, just click on the WhatsApp logo below, or respond to this email for a quick response. ​

Take care and hear from you again soon.

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Best regards, ​