OUR BLOG

• Three Rules for Success

  The path to success itself a misnomer. While it is technically a path, it is often a treacherous path typically having a steep incline and a steep decline at certain points in the journey. I believe that is why the term “ladder to success” seems to be more commonplace. The term "path" conjures visuals of somebody strolling on flat level ground barely exerting themselves going down something paved, or at the very least well cleared. Success often requires more of us than we have to give. It is often uncharted. Success requires, at least in my own personal experience, operating at a very high level, giving the work at hand everything that I've got, maintaining a positive attitude - even when everything is saying that I should not remain positive - and honestly - success just requires grit. The reason most people are not successful, I believe, is because they quit when things are tough. If you never quit, you can never fail. To help you along your journey to success I would like to share with you three personal rules I tend to live by:

  1. Advise yourself as you would your very best friend. I cannot take credit for this strategy as it is an adaptation from Jordan Peterson's book The 12 rules for life. Oftentimes when I am consulting others on dilemmas and I ask them a very simple question, the response is usually quite simple as well. I ask them simply this "if your best friend was in this exact same situation what would you advise them? " and the answer is always the same. The advice rolls off the tongue in an almost effortless fashion. I always follow up by saying this is the advice that you should take. For whatever reason we do not give ourselves as much grace, care, concern, or favor as we should. People will oftentimes treat themselves worse than they would treat others. Start treating yourself like somebody you really care about and things will improve dramatically for you. You will start to make wise choices, exert discipline, and delay gratification.
      
  2. Don’t quit on yourself, just take a break. - Can you imagine if every time an NFL player got hurt or had a severe injury requiring surgery they automatically quit and started doing something else? As an outsider looking in we tend to think that would be crazy or outlandish behavior. But that is what we see people do in the corporate world every single day. Hit a roadblock, quit. Not making progress fast enough? Quit. The main difference between millionaires and everyone else is not intelligence, it’s grit. Millionaires have a grit and a resilience that most do not possess. You don’t have to run your own business or work 100 hours per week to be successful. Just become an expert at your craft. You can apply the 10,000 hour rule. Become an expert, the value will follow. And on that journey of 10,000 hours, celebrate the small victories and take a break when you are weary and feel like quitting. You probably don't need to quit - you are probably just low on energy. Take a break once in a while!
      
  3. Remember your why. Another strategy I use to stay charging down the path of life is to remember why I do what I do. In the low moments, and the alone moments, your purpose will pick you back up and give you a burst of energy - should your "why" be something that connects with you on a deeper level. Your "why" will motivate you when nothing else will.
      

  About ME: I'm a Construction Management recruiter, and CEO of Hire10 (www.hire10.com) based in Winter Park, FL. If you are hiring or are a job seeker for Construction Management, Architecture, or Engineering - we would love to help you! Please don't hesitate to reach out and get the conversation started. We can talk business, recruiting, life, or whatever you like! EMAIL: ken@hire10.net

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• Calling all Construction Management Recruiters!

  Admittedly this blog post is aimed at recruiting YOU, my fellow construction management recruiter!

  Many people try their hand at recruiting. The majority of those people concede their recruiting careers in defeat and move on to easier roles in business development and talent acquisition. But for those of you who can power through and find success in our industry we believe you should be handsomely rewarded for your efforts. 

  Recruiting is equal parts personal performance and team sport. Can a two man shop in a garage do well recruiting, sure they can. Can they do better if they are on a 30 person team generating leads, flipping and splitting deals, and signing new accounts every day, of course! It’s why armies don’t go to war with two people on the front lines. They go with an army. If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together. The strength (and size) of your team will ultimately determine your success long term. A strong team protects you during slower months and tough economies.

  Does your company have a track record of success? We do.

  Does your company have a 401k? We do.

  Does your company offer equity and profit sharing? We do. 

  Instead of making a bunch of bloated, out-of-touch executives (many of whom are strangers to you) rich at a massive company, while you get 5-10% commission, bring your talents to an innovative 8 year old company with an excellent growth trajectory and a scrappy start-up mentality. 

  Want to have fun every day in a fun and positive remote environment? Come work here.

  Want to work remotely 100%? Come work here.

  Want to be handsomely rewarded for your efforts? Come work here.

  Want to take one more job and never have to look for work ever again? Come work here.

  Want a job that provides unlimited PTO and puts family first? Come work here.

  Want a company concerned with substance and not empty “Best places to work” awards? Come work here.

  Want to do direct placement and not temp or temp-to-hire? Come work here.

  Want a national territory and to not be confined to recruiting your local or regional markets? Come work here.

  Want a leader who inspires you and recruits every single month just like you? Come work here.

  Want to be off work from Christmas to New Years? Come work here.

  Want a place to call home where you can influence policy and processes? Come work here.

  Want a place where you can advance through the organization without politics or competing with hundreds of other internal applicants? Come work here.

  We are currently hiring proven producers with excellent tenure, a winning attitude, and a focus on personal and team performance. We can and will make you a stronger offer than what you make today.

  If this sounds like you, please text me directly at 407-591-1970, Ken Brown, President & CEO.

  
  
  
  
   

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• Three steps to navigating your next conflict.

  Conflict is inevitable. Use these 3 steps to navigate your way through your next conflict.

  Step 1.

  Say to yourself "It's okay to disagree."

  First off, let us not fear conflict, but welcome it. Conflict is when we grow, when we learn. I'm not saying to create it. I'm not saying to encourage it. But when it does arise, don't shy away. Do not avoid conflict. Avoidance will only leave issues unaddressed. Problems not faced will only grow in magnitude. See every conflict as an opportunity to build a relationship, learn from someone, and to grow professionally. 

  Step 2.

  Keep it professional and factual.

  Often times we know our co-workers personally. Avoid the urge to combine personal frustrations with business topics. Keep it facts and evidence based. Keep it on topic. Be a good listener. Use a calm tone. If possible, keep it short and sweet. Organize your main points. Step away for 24 hours if you are emotional or mad. Most importantly, determine in writing what you hope to achieve before engaging the other party. Be results focused and understand there is no winning, only a resolution that more than likely involves a compromise and both parties admitting some fault in some area. 

  Step 3.

  Clear the air.

  Often times our best laid plans fail. If the conflict does escalate, or leave either party upset, be quick to "clear the air". Be quick to offer a sincere apology. Grab lunch, get an early cup of coffee, or just take a long walk with the person. Maintaining solid personal relationships in business is far more important to your long term success than winning some short term battle. The odds are you will need that person's help at some point soon in your career. Better to have an ally than an adversary.

   

  Hope this has helped you in some way!

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• Your leaders will determine your culture.

  Culture is everything. I mean that. It's not lip service.

  Culture is not company picnics or laser tag. Although those things are pretty cool! 

  Culture, I believe, is the sum of all of your people, what they believe, and ultimately what they execute upon.

  Here at Hire10 our core values are innovation, purpose, excellence, attitude, and last but not least kindness. You can read more about our values at: https://www.hire10.com/our-mission#values. Beyond those core values we share a lot more than values as a team. Here at Hire10 we have shared beliefs, a singular mission, and a common purpose. 

  Personally, I believe that every person at Hire10 is valuable. I believe that they are a good person, who is honest, who works hard, deserves to be treated with respect, and deserves to have a team to execute with consistency and excellence. I believe we can all get better. I believe humility is key. I believe the moment you "make it" is the moment you starting "losing it". I believe that complacency, lack of grit, thin skin, not having a sense of urgency, and ultimately not caring about what you are doing will ruin your business and your career.

  I also believe that we have an obligation to each other and the company at large. If we win, we will all share in the success. We will share in the prestige, the accolades, the money, and the ownership. If we fail, we will all share in the shame, the humiliation, and the heartache that is involved with loss. Losing isn't fun and I'm not good at it. That being said, I do fail. Often. That's okay. That's when I learn. If you ever want to be a massive success you will need to have a mountain of failures first. Sorry, it's inevitable. But don't worry, failures make us better, stronger, and ultimately, if we learn from them, more successful. 

  A good team knows the mission. Our mission is simple: Deliver America's best construction talent. Period. That's where the brand comes from. Hire is what we do. 10 means the best. If you are ever unsure about a candidate, just ask yourself if he or she is a "10"? Do they meet the quality standards Hire10 has set forth? Do I consider them to be America's best construction talent? We deliver quality candidates above all else because we care about our clients and ultimately want to be successful at whatever we do. We bring our passion with us each and every day. We strive to get it right the first time.

  Our vision is a big one. We WILL obtain it. Our vision is simply: To centralize the largest AEC recruiting workforce in the United States by 2030! I've built and sold a company once. We can do it again. This time we sell the company to ourselves first, then our kids, and eventually our grandkids via an ESOP. We are building a legacy for our children as well as an inheritance. A good person leaves an inheritance to their grandkids. Your career is your ticket to retirement. Pensions are all but dead. Aside from your retirement account, your career choice (and the company you select, the team you select, and the people you select) will be the single biggest determining factor in whether or not you get to retire, and if you get to enjoy retirement or live on a meager fixed income.

  Now that we have defined our values, stated our mission, and laid out our vision, let's talk about individual success. I will tell you that being an individual success is not being the top producer. Usually the top producer has sacrificed a tremendous amount personally to get to the top position. True individual success has to be defined on an individual basis by each of us. I highly suggest creating a personal mission statement. It will help you to align your actions, activities, days, and nights to what you want to accomplish while you are still able to do so. We are all headed to the grave eventually, let's make our time here on earth count.

  Here is a great Indeed article on creating a personal mission statement. My advice: make it short and sweet. Make it memorable. Commit it to memory, live it everyday. It's the litmus test for everything you do. It's the lens through which you will evaluate your life. 

  As a CEO, and as a father, my personal mission statement is simply this: "To positively impact the life of every person I encounter through business success, charity, and sharing the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ."

  Before I let you go, I have a few more items to share. These are things you will probably hear me say often. If I don't say them at the very least I will be thinking them.

  1. "Living your passion" is a cliché, a false narrative. Hobbies aren't work. You don't follow your passion. You bring your passion with you. Here is a very important video to watch on the topic by the world famous Mike Rowe. 

  2. The harder you work, the "luckier" you will get. Hard work solves a multitude of problems in both your personal and professional life. Forget the shortcuts. They are a waste of time. There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.

  3. Bring three solutions to every problem. 

  4. Health is wealth. Take care of yourself. It's the only "you" that you will ever get.

  5. Live by design, not by default. 

  6. The biggest threat to your future success is your current success. Always maintain a positive attitude, always continue to strive. Always stay humble.

  7. Respect everyone. Even if you think they don't deserve it. 

  8. Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up.

  9. If you will be dishonest in the small things, you will be dishonest with the big things. If you can't be trusted to execute on small tasks, you will never be entrusted with the larger ones.

  10. Be careful what you feed your mind. What you watch, what you read, and who is in your social circle. Those thoughts and ideas become actions. To be a success your thoughts and actions must align with your goals. Your goals combined should be a roadmap that aligns you with your vision and ultimatley your life's purpose. If you don't have a vision, you need one...today.

  Hope this has helped you in some way. Thank you for taking the time read this post. Take care.

  Regards,

  Ken

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• Very exciting times at Hire10!

  Written by: Ken Brown, Founder/President/CEO of Hire10

  This won't be a long post, I swear. After selling my technology recruiting business back in 2016 I ventured out to do something new. Something bigger than 65 people, more polished, a more professional organization, with better processes, better health benefits, better people, and a more serious outlook on the recruiting business. Well folks, we’ve done it. I mean…we’re not exactly what we want to be (we probably never will be) but we’re well off to the races, that’s for sure. It's 2024 and we’re doing everything I mentioned, and then some. Over 150 clients in the United States, with client revenues exceeding $75B, and the best team I have ever had the pleasure of working with! I can honestly say I absolutely love where we are as a company and what we are doing. Our future is bright and there is an unmistakable electricity in the air each morning when we login to our video calls. That's right, I forgot to mention - we are 100% virtual now and we are loving it!!!

  The work we do matters to us because it matters to our clients and we take it seriously. That is not just a talking point. We mean it! We pour over our candidates and their qualifications. We strive to really bring value and when a candidate is subpar, we do the hard work of eliminating them from processes. Trust me, eliminating a mediocre candidate is the hardest thing you will ever do as a recruiter. It requires mental and emotional discipline.

  Anyways, I want to talk about the picture above for a moment. This is Jose. Jose recently joined our team and despite numerous personal and career setbacks he has found a way to thrive at Hire10. As a reward for his early success we went out for the food of Jose's naitve land: Peru. We went to dinner in one of Jose's favorite things: a Lamborghini. That's right, Hire10 got Jose a Lamborghini for the night as a Thank You for all of his hard work and to show him that we are paying attention, we care, and we look forward to his very bright future at Hire10.

  Overall, this jouney hasn’t been easy. Most days aren’t. Most days are more of a struggle than they are a success. Some days I work 15 hours or more. However all of the hard work and sacrifice do make the victories that much sweeter! Everyone is running a million miles an hour, deals fall apart, and sometimes clients are downright tough to work with! Startups aren’t perfect or easy. Business in general never is. But all in all, I wouldn’t trade this journey with this incredible group of people for anything. It’s an honor to serve them as their leader and I wouldn’t give up a single day for a coushy corporate gig. I guess I like the excitement at work. It makes you feel alive. We’re headed for greatness. We’re going to be the household name in Construction Management recruiting. We’re going to be the preferred recruiting partner for the best developers and general contractors on earth. I'm sure of it. 

  About ME: I'm a Construction Management recruiter, and CEO of Hire10 (www.hire10.com) based in Winter Park, FL. If you are hiring or are a job seeker for Construction Management, Architecture, or Engineering - we would love to help you! Please don't hesitate to reach out and get the conversation started. We can talk business, recruiting, life, or whatever you like! EMAIL: ken@hire10.net

  IF you are a recruiter looking for a new home and you want to be treated with respect, managed like an executive, and to gain access to our prestigious 65 billion dollar client list, reach out to me personally. If you can figure out how to get me on the phone, you have passed the first gauntlet of the interview. Good luck!

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