As the Director of Membership at NPAworldwide, a recruitment network, I am often asked this question: So who runs this network? As a network that is member-owned and run, this is a multitiered question at best, and does not apply to every online network that you may find. However, here is the breakdown of what is happening behind the scenes at our specific split-placement network.
- Staff. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, NPAworldwide has a staff of six employees in office, and one located in Brisbane, Australia who mirrors the work for the Australian members. They all work diligently to be reachable by members and enroll and train them to be successful in the network. In charge of membership, I personally qualify firms to determine if they meet the characteristics of being an NPAworldwide firm prior to submitting them for membership approval. A Training Director and Member Services Manager then take over new firm’s onboarding by showing them how to utilize the web-based sharing tool for posting candidates and positions, and how to build recruiter lists to start to form solid trading partners. This is an ongoing process throughout any membership, as we are constantly expanding the number of trading partners. Our global conferences and global networking meetings are all also planned at headquarters, in addition to the monthly trading group calls and other networking opportunities.
- Regional Directors, Managing Directors and Trading Group Chairs. As mentioned, this network is member owned and run, and the reason it has worked since 1956 is the volunteer and elected positions the members take. As an independent recruitment firm owner in NPAworldwide, you not only have the power to vote on changes in the network, but are able to be in leadership roles as well. Each region globally has a Director that oversees the region, or multiple regions, and works on being involved in bringing on quality firms, and then introducing them to trading partners in that region and being a resource as they begin their membership. The Trading Group chairs are responsible for organizing monthly trading group calls and regular communication regarding their particular niche, and exchanging industry topics and hot jobs/candidates with other members in that group.
- The Board of Directors. The top elected position in NPAworldwide is a seat on the Board of Directors, which governs the network and upholds the Bylaws and Operations. There is an election each year and firm owners can rotate onto the board. Since the network began in 1956, this has been the network’s strength in knowing how to best provide membership benefits for the network with direct feedback from the members themselves. This Board also is broken up across various committees, that along with staff, specifically focus on membership growth, retention, technology, and partnerships/sponsorships. The President of NPAworldwide here at headquarters is responsible in large part for implementing the Board’s direction and addressing concerns.
- The members. The network would not exist without over 400 firms and 1200 recruiters making split placements each and every single day. As an expectation of membership in a split placement network, engagement is essential for success. By posting open job requests and hot candidates, the sharing tool is able to help members grow revenue that would otherwise not be possible. Attendance at networking events, logging on to trading group calls, and connecting with many trading partners are the things we see from our top grossing members.
