Echo Advertising Trains for Diversity, Hires for Soft Skills
The leaders at Echo Advertising have developed a training program that encourages team growth and also respects diverse learning styles. The firm interviews for the ability to collaborate while presenting a unique perspective.
Riverside, CA, May 8, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Echo Advertising has earned a reputation for its professional development strategy, resulting in building up individuals who achieve outstanding results. “As soon as we decide to work with someone, that individual is immediately paired up with one of our more experienced executives,” explained Brian, the firm’s director of operations.
“This strategy helps us make sure that new team members receive both the theoretical and practical training that allows them to achieve success in our industry. For those who become mentors, there is the opportunity to expand and solidify their knowledge bases by teaching others, plus they get to see sales and marketing through a fresh pair of eyes. It’s a great system, and one that has propelled our organization forward.”
"Experience and education are great things to see on a resume, but they don't really give us a clear picture of what a person is capable of achieving in the future,"
Brian B., Director of Operations
To keep up with the need for continuous learning, Brian makes it a point to tailor new information in a way that appeals to a variety of learning styles. There are a number of these, including sensory and kinesthetic abilities, but Brian says he finds that most people fall under either the visual or auditory learning category. “For those who learn best by listening, the obvious solution is to make sure information is presented verbally. I like to go beyond that though; for example, we’ll try to use mnemonic devices to remember things whenever possible. Visual learners obviously need to see things, but again it’s important to go beyond that. We try to use colors and shapes to make information more visually appealing, and therefore easier to absorb.”
Echo Advertising’s Director on Screening for Team-Oriented Achievers
With the amount of time and effort Brian and the team at Echo Advertising invest in coaching and instruction, it makes sense that they are selective in the hiring process. “Experience and education are great things to see on a resume, but they don’t really give us a clear picture of what a person is capable of achieving in the future,” Brian explained. “What I need to know is how this person will add to the team dynamic while still making a unique contribution.”
To tease out this knowledge, Brian incorporates two important questions into each interview. He asks candidates to describe times when they were involved in group projects, and, more tellingly, to talk about occasions when they had to ask for help.
“The answers to these questions tell us a lot about how a person views cooperative effort, his or her ability to work successfully with others, and even allows us some insight into their true level of confidence. Only genuinely confident people are comfortable asking for help,” Brian stated.
