An interview with:
Brian Rovetta
Job title: Staffing Manager
Location: CEE

I worked for SpenglerFox for a little over 2 years, based out of Prague and Moscow.  I was leading the Technology sector, and then later on the professional services sector. 

The greatest thing about SpenglerFox and the Grafton Group is the focus on the team.  The management team was always focused on success, but realized that the best path to success was to have great people and to make sure that those people were happy and successful in what they were doing.  I still remember the first visit by the Grafton Group chairman, James Kilbane, to Moscow.  I mentioned to him that it was a shame he was flying out Thursday morning, otherwise I would have loved to have him at my wedding, Thursday Afternoon/Evening.  James immediately picked up the phone and asked for his tickets to be rescheduled, and extended his stay to attend the wedding.  What really makes the company special is that anybody who's worked there for a long time won't be surprised by this at all.

While I was with SpenglerFox, we had a lot of big wins on the client side, we rebuilt the Moscow office from an uncomfortable starting position, and we had a lot of fun.  But what really sticks out in my mind is the successes we had with people.  In Moscow as well as other markets we were developing talent internally that would allow the business to grow, but this also helped the individuals to grow as well.  Dmitry was a gentleman I'd worked with in Moscow, helping to grow him from an entry-level researcher up to an experienced consultant.  When I left, I happily handed over my business to Dmitry, and I've heard nothing but great things from my former clients (All of whom remain friends) .When I talk to Dmitry, we talk about his wife and baby, we talk about their apartment, their vacations, etc.  His success isn't measured in terms of revenue or bonus (Although that's always important) it's measured by what he's able to do for his family.

I'm now managing the staffing organisation for Cisco Systems for the Central and Eastern European regions.  I have a team of recruiters working with me, and we are responsible for developing a talent pipeline, internally and externally, to ensure that the best people on the market are connected to Cisco.  My region covers 3 time zones, and 27 countries, the majority of which we have to manage remotely (No staffing resources on the ground).It's tough work some times, but we work hard and deliver for our business partners.

Obviously it's a different world being in-house, but I always remember what I learned at SF, and carry it with me always.  I think that James Kilbane said it to me best once when he'd had a few drinks at the annual Christmas party "I don't focus on the business.  I want to make sure that my people are happy and successful.  If they are, then they'll take good care of my business"