"Someone who goes the whole nine yards"
- A person who does a complete job, quality, without cutting corners.
This is one of the most disputed phrase origins, and these are some of the most popular explanations:
Attributed to W.W.II fighter planes, nine yards was the exact length of a belt of 50-caliber ammunition for the Corsair W.W.II fighter plane. If a target was shot at with the entire band, it was said to have been given "the whole nine yards".
A tailor making a high quality suit uses nine yards of fabric.
It takes 9 yards of fabric to make a proper Scottish kilt.
Old style concrete mixers, or coal bins, held nine yards.
Many old sailing ships had three masts, the fore, main, and mizzen; each mast held three square sails, hence the ships had nine yards.
"Every corporation that is serious about its future should always retain a good lawyer, a good accountant and an excellent recruiter."
We are proud of our service and achieve a 97% success rate. The guidelines we work to are adapted to suit the recruitment needs of each of our clients, but can be summarised as follows:
Take a detailed brief (Needs Analysis Profile) to understand the role, culture, challenges and goals of the business and the type of background and experience required to be successful
Research all the companies and sectors where the candidate may be working, identify and contact all the major players within these companies and confidentially approach them positioning your opportunity on a one to one basis
Conduct thorough first interviews using competency based interview techniques. Ascertain motivators to move and measure of commitment to change
Reference check candidates – speaking to managers and direct reports
Present candidates - verbally to decision maker, forward candidate details
Arrange interviews - candidate / client
Prepare candidate for interview - a thorough briefing on the role and company
Prepare client to meet the candidates - identifying the candidates primary motivators for moving, salary expectations and concerns; invaluable data to help you secure your preferred choice candidate
Debrief candidates - feeding back to the client the candidates thoughts
Debrief client - feeding back clients thoughts to candidate
Arrange subsequent meetings
Conduct psychometric testing - (optional)
Offer management - vital to ensure it will be accepted and not used as a lever to get a counter offer
Counter offer management – throughout the process we council candidates about the dangers of accepting a counter offer
Regular contact with candidate during notice period – often a very vulnerable time
Regular follow up with both client and candidates post placement to ensure they are living up to each others expectations
The process of Executive Search or "head-hunting" requires hours of preparation, research, networking and good old fashioned leg work to identify and recruit high performing individuals; these people will probably not be looking for you when you are looking for them, but they are available to you by working with Miller McKenzie capitalising on over 13 years industry experience and hundreds of successfully completed assignments.
If you would like to discuss our process or your recruitment requirements with one of our consultants, please telephone us or send us an email by using this link.