Posts by Robert Houghton

As many of you know, I lived and worked in Africa many years ago. Build and sold a business there. I know it well.

I was not aware of how much struggle had gone into this struggle until the struggle was removed.” This is one of the quotes from a Tennessee Williams essay I read over the weekend.

I am reading bestselling author, Tim Ferris’s new book, Tools of Titans. It is very good. The guy is amazing. One of his mantras is, “If it’s not a “Hell Yes!” It’s a “NO.” But I’m not sure I completely agree with this.

As many of you know, I am an “avid reader, lousy surfer,” so I am going to put out my annual list of books read during the past year, both fiction and non-fiction, that I enjoyed the most…and that have relevance to the world of insurance and business.

“We’re going to be okay, aren’t we Papa? Yes. We are. And nothing bad is going to happen to us? That’s right. Because we’re carrying the fire. Yes. Because we’re carrying the fire.”

A headhunter’s perspective on Talent (Potential) versus Experience I’m sure many of you have heard me say, “People are hired for what they’ve done, but fired for who they are…” It’s true…been saying this for many years.

Each year following the issuance of our annual and semi-annual salary survey, I usually receive a number of calls from hiring authorities asking me what the critical success factors and trends have been over the previous year for hiring and retaining top talent.

My favorite movie as a kid was “True Grit” starring John Wayne. I must have watched it 25 times growing up with my Dad. I still remember the life lessons from the film.

How to recruit and retain them…If I had a nickel for every time a client asks me, “Hey Rob, how do I retain my millennial talent in my office?” I would be a millionaire.

Many firms are no longer asking to review a resume. Sound crazy? It’s a growing trend amongst America’s most forward leaning firms…