Recruitment Innovation Summit 2011 Interview - Steven Ehrlich, Global VP, Client Devlopment & Campus Recruiting, TMP Worldwide

Recently, Joe Minaudo, Social Community Manager of the upcoming Recruitment Innovation Summit spoke with Steven Ehrlich as part of a dynamic line of speakers that will lead sessions on October 26th and 27th 2011 in Toronto. Steven will be part of a panel discussing “Social Networking Strategies”

JM: We’re really excited that you have decided to join us as a speaker at this year's Summit. You have been around the Social Media space for a long time. How would you describe the evolution of Social Media during those years and its acceptance now as credible business tool?

SE: I find “Social Media” to be a very interesting, confusing, and somewhat misunderstood concept. Human beings have been social animals for more than 100,000 years - People just get hung up on the idea of the tools and the technology. For several years now, we’ve been in what I like to think of as the “land grab and gold rush” phase of social media, where companies moved from incredulity to reluctant acceptance, recognizing that they had to have a presence on the key social platforms. In recruitment, Social Media became a necessary evil and it gained acceptance grudgingly. Over the past 18-24 months, however, Social Media has become a highly efficient and effective vehicle through which companies can communicate with their audiences, both consumer and talent. Companies that truly understand the power of Social Media have moved beyond the “we must have a Facebook page, Twitter feed, etc” stage and are now looking to find meaningful ways to engage their audiences. Now, it’s not about having a social media presence, it’s about what you do with it.

JM: In your role as Global Vice President with TMP, you are often invited to speak on this topic in countries around the world. Have you noticed any nuances (culturally or otherwise) in how Social Media is used from country to country? Are there any countries in particular that you believe are leading the way in influencing how Social Media will evolve from here?

SE: Social Media adoption and usage varies greatly from country to country. Around the world, I’ve seen significant differences in how countries use Social Media. For example, Americans tend to be carefree with sharing information and will tell you everything from what they had for breakfast, to which companies for which they want to work on social media. But in China, although they extensively use significant numbers of social platforms, culturally, they are less likely to share intimate thoughts and personal details with people they don’t know.

I don’t think there is a single country leading the social wave. Leadership is not coming on a country-by-country basis, but on a company-by-company basis. Companies are opening their cultures and enterprises in interesting and different ways.

JM: Which global organizations would you consider to be exemplars in the use of Social Media to recruit and attract talent? Why?

SE: There are a lot of companies that are doing a fantastic job in Social Media. Some that come to mind include UPS, P&G, Sodexo, and Deloitte. Each of them has taken an approach to social that is not only innovative but also showcases their culture, giving potential hires a sense of what it would be like to be part of their organization. In addition, these companies have recognized that "mobile" is social and have developed solutions that are inherently mobile-friendly.

JM: This isn’t your first time speaking on Social Media in Canada. You have spoken at conferences in Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto in the past. How would you describe the adoption of Social Media in Canada and how do Canadians fare compared to other progressive countries?

SE: Five years ago when I would speak to Canadian audiences about Social Media, I would get lot of fearful glances and comments like "we’re not ready for that." Now, adoption of Social Media is slow but steady. The Canadian population is one of the most connected on the planet and Canadian companies have truly embraced Social Media and understand the value that it offers.

JM: So you’re a huge hockey fan are you? Which team is your pick to win the Cup this year?

SE: Now that’s an easy one. It’s my same pick every year and I haven’t been right since 1994! The New York Rangers. Let’s Go, Rangers!

About Steven Ehrlich

Steve has spent the past 18 years as a complete “tech geek.” As an early adopter of everything from the Apple Newton and the compact disc to satellite radio and the iPhone, he has focused on the use of emerging tools and technologies to enhance brand articulation and recruitment for a multitude of organizations, including Yale University, Exelon, Walmart, Disney, Schering-Plough, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Steve is constantly on the move, both in the office and out, working with TMPers and clients to explore, develop, and implement strategic initiatives leveraging social media, new technology, and innovative employer brand delivery channels. He is one of the agency’s thought leaders and is often found in front of a crowd, yakking away about some new thing-a-ma-jig or socially enabled whos-a-what-sis. He has been a featured speaker at a variety of events, including the Conference Board Employer Brand Conference, NACE, and the Social Media Summit. Steve can be found at the following social sites: Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and TMP website.

About TMP

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