I recently joined a call with several of you, and I wanted to share a few thoughts that stuck with me—because I believe they reflect some of the core values that make NPAworldwide such a unique and powerful network.
What I heard, loud and clear, was this: we need more quality, less quantity when it comes to partner engagement.
Several members shared their frustration about receiving candidate submissions from recruiters they’ve never spoken with—often with resumes that just don’t fit the job. I get it. That kind of outreach not only wastes time but also erodes the trust we work so hard to build.
The takeaway? Pick up the phone. Before you start submitting candidates, take five minutes to talk. Understand the job. Align expectations. That simple step makes all the difference—not just in the quality of your submissions, but in the strength of the relationship you're building.
Many of you also said you prefer to work with just a few trusted partners—two or three—rather than fielding inquiries from a dozen or more. With so many recruiters using the same tools, especially LinkedIn, your value lies in the depth of your candidate network and the effort you’ve made to source talent directly.
And while picking up the phone is important, I also want to acknowledge that for those of us working globally, time zones can be tricky. If you’re asking for help—or offering it—across a big time difference, I encourage you to be flexible. Someone may need to schedule a Zoom call at an odd hour, and that’s just part of the deal when you’re collaborating across borders. A little flexibility can go a long way in building lasting partnerships.
But more than anything, what really stood out was the desire for real partnerships—not transactional interactions. Members want to work with people who are invested in the relationship, who show up, participate, and stay engaged. That’s how we get better, together.
So, if you haven’t joined a practice group call lately or attended a regional meeting—this is your nudge. These aren’t just calendar events; they’re opportunities to grow your business through trust and collaboration.
At the end of the day, this is a relationship business. When we invest in each other, we all win.