Member Profile - Dave Fechter

Dave is still finding ways to play golf during COVID!

ACG Member Since: 2019
ACG Involvement: ACG Membership Committee

How have you had to adapt your business model during the shutdown? What has worked and what hasn’t?

In the business of executive recruiting, we serve two constituencies: the hiring organization and the candidate.

The hiring organization may now be facing a new reality of economic uncertainty and the challenge of social distancing. We are finding that our clients are moving forward with critical leadership hires just as they had been prior to COVID. The challenge remains how are interviews and assessments conducted in the realm of social distancing. Once those challenges are solved, we then find the need to help solve for new hire onboarding. Not insurmountable, but challenging, nonetheless.

The candidate must now become adept at presenting themselves in a virtual environment. They must also recognize that the pace and pattern of the interview and vetting process are different. Opportunities may be a little more difficult to find, but they do exist. Organizations are filling key roles just as they always have.

Our firm, Action Management Services, is helping both hiring organizations and candidates navigate the current situation and the challenges being presented. The first half of 2020 has been quite robust for us.

What has surprised you most during this period?

The most surprising thing so far has been the strength of executive search and recruitment in 2020. Our clients, who recognize that their most important sustainable competitive advantage stems from the level of talent in their organization, know that utilizing a Forbes-recognized search firm like ours will enable them to gain an audience with candidates that they would otherwise not have access to. Despite media reports to the contrary, we are as busy as ever helping our clients win the war for talent.

How are you staying connected with your network?

My early career mentor once wisely told me, "Pick up the phone. You never know what opportunity awaits you on the other end of the line." I still subscribe to that today. We are also finding that the work from home situation has allowed both our clients and candidates to pick up the phone and speak more candidly.

Do you think we will see lasting changes to how we do business as a result of this?

Without question. The convenience and efficacy of working remotely will forever change many things. This, for our business, will change the interviewing, vetting, and onboarding processes. While our industry has essentially been virtual for decades, we now can expect this to be a permanent part of the process.

Has there been a "silver lining" for you and if so, what is it?

For me, the work from home situation has allowed me to more readily connect with people. Networking is so important but is sometimes impeded by the whirlwind of the day. Taking the time to "pick up the phone" is something we all should do more often. You never know what opportunity awaits you on the other end of the line.

What is your favorite ACG Cleveland event and why?

As a newer member of ACG, I have not had the opportunity to run through a full calendar year of events under normal conditions. So far, I find great enjoyment in my work with the Membership Committee. Getting involved early in my membership has allowed me to meet many great fellow ACG members and come to learn about the numerous membership benefits that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. That said, I encourage our membership to find a way to get more involved. ACG has a lot to offer!