07-26-1993 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Brim Report TheBrimcycr Group, inc CICCI/TIVE St*«CM CONSMtANTS One Tenth Ave. South Hopkins. MN 55343 (612) 945-0246 (612) 933-1153 fax o PtH QJ H Summer Issue July 1993 '^ol. 1, Issue 4 ♦ Reflectiorii, on the Executive Search Business Looking Back on the First Five Years By famts Brimeyer—President The pressures are different, the time commit ment is greater, and the anxiety level has beat just as intense—but with a different focus. I feel greater freedom to do the things I want to do and have determined I uvs really a "closet entrepreneur" for a long lime. Becoming Independent—Appealing It started in late summer. 1987. I had inter viewed for the City Manager jobs in Des Moines, Iowa and Oklahoma City', Okla homa. I came back from both experiences with two thoughts in my mind. Number one, the kinds of things that were bother ing me as a City' Manager would only be magnified in larger communities. In other words, how many times in 20 years can a person deal with barking dogs and grass that's growing too long? And number two, perhaps I was approaching "burn out." I was tCK) confident (perhaps even arrogant) to admit it could happen to me. Shortly thereafter, I was approached by a fellow Rotarian, wanting to know if I was interested in becoming President of an insurance agency. I pursued it and was exposed to the executive search process. But, after examining the agency position I came to the conclusion that I needed something more challenging. Shortly after that, the executive search firm consultant asked me if I would consider getting into the executive search business. Yes, the idea of building something and being independent was appc.iling. This was the opportunity for me to make my own decisions and experience a career change in the process. The Private Sector —A Revelation In April, 1988 I announced my resignation as City Manager of St. Louis Park. On July 5 I left that secure and comfortable posi tion—a compensation package (including salary, fringe benefits and a car) that approached six figures—and struck out for the "mysterious" private sector. It was exciting, scary and a real revelation. I started with a compensation plan of draw-against-commission, no fringe bene fits and no car. After six months on the job I was $25,000 in debt to the company! Nevertheless, I maintained the confidence that things would work out and that I had made the corxcct decision. 1 had done all of my marketing and advance planning prior to making the job move. This would take time to pay off. addition, 1 always kept in mind what Jim Galloway (the first City Manager I ever worked under) said to me: "In order to grow, you have to stretch a little." Over the next three-and-a-half years I built an executive search practice that pro vided a comfortable living. During the same time, 1 was involved in the start-up and capitalization of thrcHj businesses: a personnel consulting firm, ar c.igmeering consulting firm and a temporary office overload company. Starting The Brimeyer Group In late 1991, someone suggested that I ought to start my own company. I put myself through the process again: soul searching, testing the market, preparing a strategic plan, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages, and examining the financial implications (1 had two children in college by this time). If things didn't work out exactly right, just how much financial disaster could I afford to handle? I decided to "go for it." The rest is history. Looking Ahead If you look back, you're moving baefnvards. When you worry about the present, you stand still. It is only when you look fonvard that it is possible to make progress. Tlio individuals who have had a significant impact on me over the past five years are far too numerous to mention. But, to all of you, a very sincere "Thank You!" I'm looking forward to the next five years...