Plummer & Associates Reiterates Importance of Strategic Hires as It Recruits SVP for Viva International Group

New Canaan, CT, May 22, 2011 --(PR.com)-- John Plummer announced that his executive search firm specializing in the retail industry, Plummer & Associates has recruited Jan Cory as Senior Vice President of domestic sales for Viva International Group, a worldwide leader in ophthalmic frames, sunglass distribution and manufacturing. In her new role, Cory will oversee both the U.S. and Canadian sales forces. Citing the recruitment of Cory as a significant example, John Plummer has reiterated to retail executives that now is the time for retailers to recruit strategic hires. It is therefore critical to engage a search firm that specializes on the retail industry.

So, why is now the best time to bring on strategic hires? It’s important to understand first “strategic hire.” Mr. Plummer defines strategic hires as “executives who can do significantly more than the incumbent. More importantly, let us define a strategic hire as someone who will help change the course of your business.”

Mr. Plummer explains that with a slow economic recovery in place and with companies offering the same or similar goods, it is vital that the competitors differentiate themselves in their industry. Mr. Plummer elaborates that it is “those retailers who will excel in the next few years will be those who have some advantage, whether it be perceived value by the consumer or operational, marketing, financial, and/or human resources strengths. It will be up to the retailers who want to excel to find a way to create this differentiation in the market place and this is best done by hiring strategic executives who can create and maintain the differentiation.”

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