The Tier4 Group Times: Volume 1, Issue 2
Tier4 Group
We’re the people you call when you want to find the right fit – the first time.
What's new at Tier4 Group?
We had the privilege of bringing our entire team together for the 2024 Yearly Kick Off! During this gathering, we took a deep dive into the triumphs of the past year and set our sights on the ambitious goals that lie ahead in 2024. Amidst the celebration, we enjoyed some lighthearted moments and had the distinct honor of learning from a dear friend, mentor, coach, and esteemed author, Casey Jacox. Casey graced us with his wisdom as he delved into the principles outlined in his book, "Win the Relationship, NOT the Deal," where he teaches six common-sense strategies to overcome business adversity, improve your sales skills, and build more relationships, yielding you a growth mindset. His insights provided invaluable guidance and perspective, enriching our collective understanding of how to foster meaningful connections that transcend mere transactions. We also spent some time bonding at Board and Brush, where we ate, drank, painted, and laughed the night away. Check out some of our amazing masterpieces! This opportunity to gather and start the year together reinforced our commitment to nurturing both our team spirit and our enduring relationships. We BELIEVE what we do matters!
We also had the honor of recognizing our outstanding 2023 Top Tier Performers!
Join us in extending heartfelt congratulations to Lynette Kahue, our Rookie of the Year, a title open to anyone who joined us in the previous calendar year.
We are equally thrilled to celebrate Ashley Carlin Wetzel, who claimed the title of Top Recruiting Performer, boasting the highest number of successful hires throughout 2023.
In addition, let's give a round of applause to Michael Nelson, our Top Sales Performer, whose exceptional efforts have resulted in the highest total revenue accrual.
Our accolades also extend to Kelly Ruane, who has earned the prestigious Outstanding Teammate Award. This award is particularly special, as it is nominated by peers and recognizes those within our company who embody the core values and standards of Tier4. Kelly, your contributions have made a significant impact on our team, and we're proud to have you among us.
We also want to recognize the remarkable achievements of the following Top Tier Performers:
Once again, congratulations to all of our 2023 Top Tier Performers. Your hard work, commitment, and exceptional performance have truly set the standard for excellence within our organization. We look forward to another year of achieving remarkable milestones together.
Last but certainly not least... we had the privilege of gathering with our incredible Tier4 Group family, along with our cherished friends, family, and valued clients, to commemorate our 10 Year Anniversary. This memorable gala not only marked a decade of hard work and dedication but also marked the launch of our new executive search firm, Retained. We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey and continue serving our clients with unwavering commitment and excellence.
We were also able to present Women In Technology (WIT) with a donation check, and raise money to help support their ongoing Single Mothers Program (SMP) with generous donations by many in attendance.
To each and every one of you who has been a part of our journey so far, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Your support and trust over the past ten years have been instrumental in our success, and we can't wait to share the next chapter with you.
Here's to the past, the present, and the future! We look forward to the next 10 years of growth, innovation, and making meaningful connections. Thank you for being a part of the Tier4 Group and now the Retained family.
Tech for Good: How Diverse Teams Are Solving Global Challenges
In today's rapidly evolving world, technology has become an indispensable tool for addressing some of the most pressing global challenges. From climate change and healthcare disparities to improving access to education, diverse tech teams are at the forefront of innovative solutions that are making a positive impact on society. In this month's newsletter, we delve deeper into the incredible work being done by these teams and emphasize the pivotal role diversity plays in their success.
Climate Change Solutions: The Power of Diversity in Collaboration
When it comes to combating climate change, diversity is not just a buzzword but a catalyst for innovation. Consider the remarkable success story of EcoSolutions Inc., a diverse team comprising engineers, environmental scientists, and data analysts. Their collaboration was instrumental in developing groundbreaking algorithms that optimize wind farm placements to maximize energy generation while minimizing environmental impact.
The diversity within the team meant that each member brought a unique perspective to the table. Engineers focused on practical implementation, while environmental scientists provided crucial insights into minimizing ecological disruption. Data analysts leveraged their skills to fine-tune algorithms, ensuring the most efficient energy production. This multidisciplinary approach is a testament to the power of diverse teams in tackling complex global challenges like climate change.
Healthcare Innovations: Diverse Perspectives, Improved Outcomes
In the realm of healthcare, diversity is not just about saving lives but also about equal representation. HealthTech Innovations, a startup founded by a diverse team of medical professionals, engineers, and data scientists, exemplifies this truth. Their AI-driven telemedicine platform has transformed access to medical care in remote and underserved areas.
The team's diversity has been a driving force behind their success. Medical professionals provided invaluable insights into patient needs and clinical accuracy, engineers ensured the platform's functionality and security, and data scientists harnessed the power of AI for swift and accurate diagnoses. This blend of expertise led to the development of a technology that has saved countless lives, particularly in regions with limited medical resources.
Education Transformation: Inclusivity in EdTech
Access to quality education is a fundamental human right, and diverse tech teams are ensuring that this right is extended to all. EdTech Galaxy, founded by a diverse group of educators, software developers, and designers, is a shining example of this inclusivity in action.
The team's diversity has played a pivotal role in designing an interactive and multilingual educational platform accessible to students worldwide. Educators brought an understanding of pedagogy and diverse learning needs, developers ensured the platform's functionality, and designers crafted an intuitive user experience. This synergy of skills has revolutionized education, making it accessible to diverse learners regardless of their background or abilities.
Financial Inclusion through Fintech
Access to financial services is another critical global challenge, and diverse tech teams are making strides in this arena. FinTech Solutions Inc., led by a diverse team of financial experts, software engineers, and data analysts, has developed a groundbreaking mobile banking app. This app offers secure and accessible banking services to unbanked populations in remote areas.
The diverse team's financial expertise allowed them to understand the unique challenges faced by underserved communities. Software engineers and data analysts worked together to create a user-friendly and secure platform that ensures financial transactions are conducted safely, bridging the financial inclusion gap and empowering individuals economically.
Renewable Energy Revolution
Diverse tech teams are also driving the transition to renewable energy sources. SolarTech Innovations, for instance, comprises engineers, environmentalists, and materials scientists from diverse backgrounds. Their collaboration has led to the development of highly efficient and cost-effective solar panels.
By leveraging their diverse perspectives, this team was able to address various challenges in the renewable energy sector, from material selection to energy conversion efficiency. Their innovative approach is accelerating the adoption of clean energy and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
Conclusion: The Transformative Power of Diversity in Tech
These success stories underscore the transformative power of diverse tech teams. By bringing together individuals from various cultural, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds, these teams generate a rich tapestry of perspectives and ideas. It's not just about meeting diversity quotas but about harnessing the unique strengths and experiences of each team member.
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Innovation thrives in environments where diverse voices are encouraged and valued. Diverse teams, as demonstrated by these examples, tend to be more adaptable, creative, and empathetic. They are better equipped to understand and address the multifaceted challenges our world faces today.
What’s Your Vision?
A leader assuming the helm is always asked “what’s your vision?" Likewise, a candidate vying for a leadership position will face the same pivotal question.
If I ever write a book, Chapter 1 would be titled “It’s Not My Vision." Do you find that odd? Here is my point of view: a leader’s vision should rely heavily on matching stakeholder desires and expectations with realistic short term and midterm capabilities of the staff and support teams. This runs contrary to a new leader waxing poetically as to what he or she are going to do on day one. Granted, if they have been in the industry for years, they have a leg up. Maybe they will get lucky and be right, but I subscribe to the phase “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." This quote is attributed all the way back to Roman philosopher Seneca. New leaders: the opportunity stands before you, but how about preparation?
In January, I took on the role of Managing Partner for Retained. Retained’s work, as most of you know, will be to fill leadership openings in the technology and not-for-profit spaces with exceptional candidates. A key piece to my preparation is to conduct 90 meetings in 90 days with stakeholders. I am going full curiosity-mode. My goal is to learn from CHROs, CEOs, CIOs/CTOs, the Tier4 Group staff, and other stakeholders. The questions I am asking are not static. They are based on the interest and experience of each contributor. Ultimately, I am learning about what Retained will need to deliver to stand out from the crowd. The interviews are not only shaping my vision, but also will contribute to the development of goals, KPIs, hiring decisions, and so forth. An additional benefit is we make friends when we ask people’s opinions in a sincere way.
This is not the first time I have done 90 in 90s. It is a process I have followed for years. In fact, I was a huge underdog to get the job of President and CEO of the Chicago YMCA before age 40. The Chicago YMCA was arguably the largest YMCA system in the world. A unique step I took in preparation for my first interview with a high-powered BOD was to fly out to Chicago a week ahead, on my own dime, and start my 90 in 90 process in advance. Frankly, the Board was blown away and I got the job. When I took on the role of President and CEO at TAG, the organization was crying out for an identity and a direction. The 90 in 90 gave me the credibility to move quickly around some big decisions with the BOD’s full support. If I came in on day one and said, "here is my vision and here is what we are going to do," the BOD would not have had the confidence to allow me to go forward.
I am now entering month two at Retained. More than 20 one-on-one interviews have been conducted. My process is not close to being over, but I am picking up a number of important and consistent messages. Some things I have heard thus far include:
· Clients at Tier4 Group believe that the 10 years of success they have had creates trust in Retained.
· Trust in not only the process, but the people leading the search, is critical.
· Relationships drive decision making when it comes to selecting a search firm for executive search.
· Having a focus in place of technologists at the C-suite level is a strong differentiator.
· Being a women owned company and one of less than ten LGBTBE certified is a game changer.
· Having capabilities and experience around leadership assessments is a plus.
· Believing in what we do should be the baseline for any great company, but is it?
And we have demonstrated a deep belief that our work matters for ten years, so that’s a great thing.
I don’t like the phrase work/life balance because it diminishes our work part of life. People in other countries believe they work to live and think many in the USA live to work. To me, if you love your work and love to make a difference and have a purpose, then work is an integral part of life. It’s not a separate thing. Anyway, I love my work and believe that what we are doing at Tier4 Group and Retained is making a difference.
Best,
Tino Mantella
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11moGreat things happening at Tier4 Group, as always. Well done all!