THE BS INDEX FOR HIRING MARKETERS!

Note: This index is an Outlier work-in-progress!

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This Newsletter contains: The BS Index for hiring marketers, A Survey request, A pencil review! A New book announcement!

When interviewing: It is important to know the level of BS the other person is giving.

Is there a ranking, a rating, a scale?

Yes. Here it is.

From one of the biggest (self-proclaimed) BS in the galaxy. This is what I use to evaluate people when I meet, greet and "Interview".

Everyone does BS.        

That's a fact.

When you know what it is and who gives it, to what level, the better it is for you to take decisions.?

The decision to fight or flee, stay, or leave, to select or REJECT.

The BS index therefore is a key tool in your personality arsenal.

How you may ask!

Ask away.

Here are 10.5 pointers to help you help yourself.

To save you loads of time.

There are jobs that need professional BS specialists!

Then there are those where such BS happens automatically. Excessively!

Identify. Eject.

Let's start.

The points are in no specific order. The ranking scale is 1-10, 10 being the highest on the BS Index.

People have been known to score a 100 but I hope and pray you never cross paths with any of them.

All you need to do is cope with one. Me :)

0.5??? Prep-work:

If the candidate has jumped 4 jobs in 5 years, it is safe to assume there is not much accrued knowledge. I would give such a candidate a miss, regardless of whatever reasons there may be.

If you still decide to interview such a person, well, you do have a high tolerance to BS.

However desperate you are, say NO at the outset when it seems flaky!        

1. No correlation between resume, digital presence and the REALITY in front of you. Ask for evidence. DEMAND IT. Is he what he says he is? On what basis? Where's the proof? The nation wants to know!
2. Ask the candidate about the target, the team, the projects handled. If you get an answer claiming all success by him/her, and all failure by others, score a 10!
3. When you ask them to solve a case or provide a solution: are they relying on facts, logic or emotion? Score accordingly.

• Facts: 0-2
• Logic: 2-4
• Emotion commotion: 5-10?

4. How many Jargons and Acronyms is being thrown into the conversation? Yes, keep tabs.

• You will have to go old school here. Remember that 4 vertical lines and one across to count 5.... Go on, you may fill up the page counting how many times.
• Scoring for this starts from 7.

5.??????? If the candidate is dripping attitude, seriously, watch it. Refer to the point about correlation.

6.??????? Ask a question. Go ahead. Ask a simple question.

• If the candidate doesn't answer the question and goes about on his own trip, score 8-10.
• If the answer is vague, score 7-8.

7.??????? A variation of the previous test.

• Ask a question where the answer can only be a YES or a NO. If you get a 10-para-answer, score a 10.
• If the response is "IT DEPENDS", be on guard immediately and give a 7. It can only get worse from here.
• For better measure, count the number of times he says. Says what you ask? "It depends".

8.??????? Give the candidate a case to solve.

• If the candidate says 50:50 and stays the middle Swiss path.... or is non-committal... Give a score of 5!

9.??????? Talk talk talk talk talk breathe talk talk talk talk talk. He talks. You listen. You cannot get a word in edgewise. You give this candidate a full score of 10.

10.? You ask a question. The candidate asks a question back.

• Once: it's ok
• Twice: grit and bear it.
• Thrice and more: give a high score!
• Congrats, you've got yourself a bonafide BSer!

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If you have other points or experiences, do share!

HOW TO HIRE MARKETERS!

The Critical layer that drives SCALE!

Disclaimer: Take this BS INDEX from someone who’s navigated the hiring maze with a mix of luck and blunders. This guide is my attempt at wisdom, served with a side of some (dry) humour. It's not meant to be your sole hiring guide. Look at this as a personal playbook from a self-confessed BS detector (that’s me!).

Remember, embracing diversity beats any index, and this is just one piece of the puzzle. So, while you're laughing (or rolling your eyes) at my experiences, make sure to cast a wide net. Come on, you’ve seen it all, or parts of it!

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After all, building a team that's as varied as my attempts at humour is what truly matters.

If you want a pdf version of The BS Index, please write in.

Follow [email protected]

for more tips on Outlier Marketing

and How to Hire Marketers.

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A SURVEY REQUEST

Please take this survey on "Leveraging Testimonials for Biz Growth". It is part of my research on this topic. Click here: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/YpClbz

STATIONERY STORIES

Folks who know me know I love stationery. Starting this week, I will write a short paragraph on stuff I love. And you ought to, too!

The KOKUYO PS-PE113 mechanical pencil.

I bought it in Bangkok during a recent trip. It is literally, tall, dark and handsome! The hold is good, the lead is super (B) – and so is the writing! (I bought the Red lead as well, not as dark as the Black B but still ok-ok).

• Writing: smooth and dark.
• Visuals: minimalist Japanese design.
• Hold: Hexagonal, solid.
• Cost range: Budget.
• Use: writing, highlighting, doodling! I use it for my daily planner and ideation.

What’s your favourite pen-pencil?

#hiring #differentiation #psychology #social #community #marketing

If you want a copy of my new book "HOW TO SCALE WITH REFERRAL MARKETING!", write to [email protected] .

NEW BOOK: "How to SCALE with REFERRAL MARKETING": Releasing soon!