So, I know it’s been a little while since I’ve written. Yes, I’m a terrible person. We spent that summer together at the beach, gazed into each other’s eyes and professed our undying love to each other. I told you I’d write and then…nothing. You waited eagerly, checking the site like Ralphy checking the mailbox everyday for the mere site of his Little Orphan Annie secret decoder ring and…nothing. So, you ripped up my picture, tore a couple of pages out of your diary and [tag]swore off bloggers[/tag] forever. What can I say other than I’m sorry. Will you please take me back? I’ll be good this time. I promise…cross my heart and hope to die. Actually, given the last two months of my life, I do not hope to die. But, you can keep the cross my heart thing.

Things have been busy here at the Zoo. It’s become certain to all of us here that we’re experiencing one of “those” times (we dare not speak the word here for fear of ultimate doom). And, if you don’t know what I’m talking about…you will!

I used to date this girl. I can’t actually call her just a girl…more like the hottest, most intelligent, complete-package…OK, well let’s not make me sound like THAT guy. The point being, she was what we like to call the shit! Woke up everyday with a big shit-eatin grin on my face. We had the most fun that two people could possibly have. We could’ve had fun in a padded white room with no windows, which is where many of our friends decided we would end up after all was said and done. I can say this, if you can have the ultimate blast just riding in a car and listening to music with someone, then you’ve probably found your perfect match. Those were our Sundays. I still miss my Sundays. OK, still sounding like THAT guy…my apologies.

Anyway, I digress. You’ve all heard me talk about [tag]anticipation[/tag] before. It’s one of my favorite words, and not just because of Tim Curry’s perfect delivery in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I live by that word. It IS our industry. Together with “sense of urgency” anticipation is the golden shiny key to your hiring door. You HAVE to have it. And, if you don’t you’re going to miss out some things…some really FANTASTIC things!

That girl up there? I lost her. I didn’t anticipate what could happen. Instead of having a sense of urgency or anticipation, I got comfortable. Wanna know the worst word you can possibly say regarding hiring? That’s right: [tag]comfortable[/tag]! I got so complacent in my relationship, that I didn’t look to the future and realize that…hey, she probably would like to move this relationship to the next level. Nah, I’ll just sit here and see what happens…plus, the economy isn’t exactly where I would like for it to be and it would be too expensive to move forward. Wrong move Lawrence…wrong move indeed.

So, people say the economy isn’t terrific right now. Recession? I’m not buying it. Yeah, things probably aren’t all that on the up-and-up financially, but you STILL need people to keep your machine running. You still need new blood to keep your clients fresh. You still need to, at least, keep an open line of communication with [tag]candidates[/tag] in your marketplace. And, to be honest, you need to keep in touch with me. Let’s face it, the longer I don’t hear from you, the more I forget you and move on to someone who gives me more attention. Just like what happened to me.

Anticipation, anticipation, anticipation! I don’t know how many times I can possibly say that. You may not need folks right now…but you will. You’ll always need people. And, just because your budget’s a little tight right now doesn’t mean you should shut down talking to new folks or, God forbid, hiring them if you find the right fit. Trust me; any money you spend now will come back three fold in the future. You may not realize this, but you’re losing just as much, if not more money by not having certain positions filled than you would if you paid me to find you that badass candidate. And, I know it’s hard to think this way at the present moment. That’s why I’m here!

Always think towards the future, never the present! Trust me! If I would’ve done that years ago…well, all bridge under the water.

“I’d help you with that but somebody stepped on all my fingers.”

-Walter Fielding