What Time of Year Do Active Lifestyle and Outdoor Companies Hire?
I wrapped up a call a few moments ago with a sharp as a whip marketing exec from the Bay Area who asked me a question that we get frequently. His question was “at what time of year, do active lifestyle companies engage in executive searches?”
Even after years of being in this field, predicting when companies or the industry will reach a hiring peak proves extremely challenging. Though a host of hypotheses have been explored, there seems to be no rhyme or reason. This effects Highline in so much as it has to be on its game year round, and qualified candidates should be too. To this end, Highline team members find themselves sometimes pulling off projects from the other side of the globe. A few years back we were working on a product management leadership role who specialized in mountain bikes was a tall order since there are less than 10 of these individuals in the US. I was camped out under a palapa on the Bukit Peninsula which is the southernmost tip of Bali is where I managed the process and closed the offer.
Why are we not able to better forecast the time of year for increased executive hiring in the sporting goods industry?
- The business leader feels that a specific division is not performing to their expectations and chooses to topgrade (replacing leader while they are in the role) the individual leader.
- An executive has just left, and an organizational hole emerges leading a team or managing key customer relationships. Without the right individual in place, team morale hits the floor, and the line contributors will become uneasy almost immediately. If this individual manages relationships with critical wholesalers or distributors, there is not a better time for a competitor to nudge their way in risking the incumbents business.
- Often when the fiscal calendar year resets, budgets become available for an increase in headcount.
- A new leader has been hired, and they have the autonomy to build their team or replace underperforming individuals.
- The launch of new products to market requiring sales, marketing, and support horsepower.
To executives, always be ready. The dream opening could occur at any moment during the year.
To our current and future clients: Be assured that whenever and wherever your openings occur, we’ll be ready to step in.
Planning on hiring for any of these reasons or others? Call or write me direct at 317 602 7600 or tony@highlinoutdoor.com