Hiring Guru: Mossack Fonseca - International HR
As I am so accustomed to interviewing entrepreneurs, I was interested in the path of a Human Resources professional for such an international corporation with over 500 employees. So, I'm happy to present an interview with Katia Solano the Director of Human Resources for Mossack Fonseca & Co (MF).
Established in 1977, Mossack Fonseca is a leading global company which provides comprehensive legal, trust and accounting services.
Katia's been at the company for more than 20 years. She's moved through many different positions, learning different skills along the way, from reception to filing and then as the personal assistant to one of the founders of the company.
"I worked with the founder when MF was a pretty small company; we were around 30 employees at that time. Later, I worked on accounts receivables and payables, and then I came to the human resources department."
Give me an overview of the work that is done in the human resources department.
"Human Resources is a company-wide department, so it has to do with the human resources policies for the entire MF group - the hiring process, candidate selection, training and development, performance evaluation, benefits and salaries, internal communications, leadership development, deployment, cascading goals, the company culture, and induction, amongst others. I work closely with the CEO and the management team. I deal with all the managers of the different offices around the world. I have a team of six employees."
To what degree do you keep your finger on the pulse of hiring?
"I meet at least once a week with the Recruitment and Selection Specialist - she reports directly to the Human Resources Coordinator - but I meet with her once a week because the recruitment process is a key process in any organization. However, I don't interview candidates unless we are going to hire someone for a key position, like for example a lawyer or a management team member - somebody of a high level - whether here in Panama or in any of the offices abroad. In Panama it is very difficult to hire good people because the labor market is so tight."
Katia, what do you do to recruit qualified employees, whether in Panama or abroad, when faced with a shortage of available talent?
"Well it is very helpful that we have a well-known, highly respected name here - so lawyers, in particular, want to work at MF; I'm always receiving resumes in my inbox or through LinkedIn. We usually advertise our positions online. Plus, we are involved with universities - we maintain close contact with them and they always refer people to us for internships. We do the same thing with high schools - we usually have maybe 15 interns that are about to graduate from high school, so they do their internships here - many times when they finish their degree programs they apply to work here. In addition, we try to be involved in all the job fairs."
Your internship program with students from high schools and universities sounds like a great way to evaluate talent.
"Definitely, because when they come to intern with us we really do make an effort to teach them as much as possible. I insist that all our managers make sure to give them as much training and experience as they can handle. There are many companies that simply have their interns do menial tasks; however, I insist that we don't do that with ours. At MF, the interns learn about the company, its mission, culture, and values, and usually they like it and they go back to school or university with a good impression. They share that information with their friends and we usually receive some resumes from other students of the same schools that want to do internships with us. Also, there are many professors who know that we really train their students and they refer candidates to us."
How important is it keep personally connected to the process of adding new personnel to the MF team?
"It is very important because our recruitment process is integral to the future of the company - so to me recruiting talented people is directly related to the strategy of the company because we offer our clients specialized services so we really need to have talented people to be able to provide our clients with excellent service. "
Do you have any hard-fast rules that are followed in your own selection of team members or those who will be working close to you?
"Selecting a new employee is kind of tricky because it is not only that you want to have the person with the perfect profile, but you need a combination of skills and attributes - you need somebody who has the capacity and desire to do the job they have applied for - somebody who has a clear vision of what they want in the short and long term - and they have to be a good fit with our company."
Do you have an anecdote or philosophy to share that comes to mind that would sum up your thoughts about hiring?
"To me, attitude is everything. You may have a good candidate with the perfect academic background and experience, but if the person does not really want to do the job they are applying for, then we are wasting our time. Usually I hire people with little to no experience and then we train them; they appreciate that and they tend to stay for a long time."
Katia's priorities and methodical approach align with Hiring Truth 1: Be diligent, not desperate from my book The Naked Interview: Hiring Without Regret. She is ensuring the candidates are carefully selected and that they are cared for with training to help them stick.
"Now, I know that millennials are different. I have millennials on my team and you have to know how to manage them to keep them interested and motivated. One way I do that is by assigning them various projects - you need to work differently with them."
"We keep them interested and motivated by offering them attractive benefits, continuous training and education - and the opportunity to move laterally (to work in a different department) and up - depending on the individual's skill set and our company needs. Another advantage of MF is our multicultural and international environment where they can work and interact with our colleagues and clients all over the world."
"Everything is different now. I mean the usual human resources process is different now because you cannot plan their careers anymore; they have their career already planned and they evaluate the company to see if the company meets or exceeds their expectations and in particular, what the company is going to give them, so everything has changed."
What is the best interview question you have ever used?
"I use a combination of questions. When you are going to interview a candidate, you have to be clear about what you or the manager needs, and of course, what the company needs. Sometimes you need to help the managers to identify what they need. When I am doing an interview I pay attention to everything and usually I write down everything they say, so I will ask questions like: How do you see yourself (as a professional) in two years? - What do you want to do? - Why? - What kind of company are you looking for? - What would be your ideal job? I ask about previous bosses and companies to get an idea of what type of boss and company culture they like - or dislike."
What has driven your personal success at Mossack Fonseca Group?
"I like to serve people. I am proud of being a member of MF and also of the human resources department. I feel that we support MF - its management and reputation. I tell my people every day that we are service providers. To me, it is critical to be willing to serve our internal and external customers, and to maintain the highest professional standards."
Meir Ezra - The Secret to a Great Marriage
Why are these statements all lies?
"The honeymoon is over. We can't get the spark back in our marriage."
"When I married you, I expected you'd stay in love with me."
"This other person is my soul mate and so I've got to get a divorce."
When you meet someone and fall in love, it seems like your love will last forever. So you get married. You want a permanent feeling of love. Yet sooner or later, it happens . . . no more spark.
Maybe a marriage counselor tells you to take a weekend trip together. If you enjoy the weekend, you might feel a little spark again. But once you get back to your routine, the honeymoon is over again.
Maybe you try a drug or drink some wine to make your marriage better. If it helps, it is only temporary and then drops to new lows. Besides, who wants to depend on a chemical for a good marriage?
All too often, husbands and wives give up. They either learn to live with a dead relationship or get divorced.
The biggest lie is that once you get married, you can sit back and enjoy it. Unfortunately, a marriage does not exist just because you have a marriage license. A family does not exist just because you have children Meir Ezra.
"It's very easy to break down a family because there is no relationship in a family except a pretended relationship."
"Now, I'm not saying that marriage is a false relationship. It isn't. In this society and time, a family is the closest knit, self-perpetuating, self-protecting unit and is necessary economically and otherwise to the society the way it's rigged at this present time."
2015 Honda CRF150R - Al Lamb's Dallas Honda
General Information
There’s no denying that the Honda CRF150R is the best competition motorcycle in the Mini Class. After all, it was the first ever mini-MXer to win the Bike of the Year from Dirt Biker. So, if you’re looking for a competition-ready dirt bike, then look no further than the CRF150R – proven on the track and designed with Honda’s superior engineering. This race bike was built with a four-stroke powerplant displaying plenty of great Honda technology and graced with the performance that keeps you up front and on the podium.
What makes the CRF150R standout? Plenty. First, there’s the race-ready Showa® front and rear suspension, fine-tuned with proven suspension action over small bumps and designed to reduce friction and improve compression control. Now, let’s focus on the engine. With a Unicam® cylinder head, the CRF150R’s four-stroke engine offers excellent rideability and more power and torque across the rev band. Plus, the dirt bike’s track-ready chassis delivers reliable turning performance and straight-line tracking. The lightweight and high-tensile steel frame is designed to keep a low seat height and provide a steady, stable and planted ride. And for better and quicker throttle response, the carburetor features a “direct push” accelerator pump.
Additional features on the CRF150R include front and rear disc brakes for powerful and precise braking, as well as durable, lightweight wheels that minimize unsprung weight. More power and performance in a race bike means more trophies, and the CRF150R delivers every time. With this sharp-looking competition motorcycle, Honda is bringing the thrills of MX biking to a while new generation of riders.
Al Lamb's Dallas Honda: 2012 BMW K1600 GTL
GENERAL INFORMATION
Gran Turismo. Travel in big style. That means combining dynamic performance and comfort – and transforming distance into free space. BMW Motorrad’s vision was the essence of this philosophy – the pure sense of Gran Turismo. This vision has now taken shape in the new K 1600 GT. The in-line six-cylinder engines by BMW are legendary. A myth which has been realized once more in the K 1600 GT – but now more compactly than ever before. 1,649 cc, 160 hp and a maximum torque of 129 foot pounds. Even the facts are impressive. But the riding experience is even more inspiring. The transversely installed power units delivers an extraordinary level of dynamic performance as well as refined running smoothness. If the rider is in the mood for a show of sporty prowess, the engine willingly puts in a burst of speed even in the lower engine speed range, and it is in its element over high-speed stretches. Over 70% of the maximum torque is available from just 1,500 rpm. While the bike’s power reserves are huge, its dimensions are reduced. Weighing just under 227 pounds and with a width of 21.8 inches – never was a large-volume in-line six-cylinder so compact. For outstanding handling and increased banking freedom. And a whole new touring bike feel. For better visibility going into bends, the GT presents a world premiere for motorcycles: the optionally available adaptive headlight. It not only increases the exclusivity but also the active safety of the machine. Vision fulfilled. The K 1600 GT. UNSTOPPABLE TOUR.
SPECS
ENGINE
Engine - 6-cylinder, 4-stroke, 4-valves per cylinder, 2 overhead camshafts, BMS-K management, closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter, EU-3
Bore And Stroke - 2.83 x 2.65 in. (72 x 67.5 mm)
Compression Ratio - 12.2:1
Induction - Unleaded super
Ignition - Digital
DRIVE TRAIN
Transmission - 6-speed, helical, gearbox
Final Drive - Shaft
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES
Front Tire - 120/70 ZR 17
Rear Tire - 190/55 ZR 17
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase - 66 inches
Curb Weight - 650
OTHER
Available Colors - Light Grey Metallic
2016 Honda FourTrax Rancher ES - Al Lamb's Dallas Honda
**GENERAL INFORMATION
The FourTrax Rancher is one of the most versatile ATV’s on the market. The Honda Rancher’s durability, toughness, and dependability are all incredible aspects of this ATV, but the characteristic that sets the Rancher apart from the rest is the ability to choose from a huge range of Rancher options, in order to find one that exactly fits your wants and needs. Depending on whether you need an ATV for your ranch, trail riding, hunting/fishing, farm or job site, the Rancher has options that allow you to comfortably and effectively complete almost any job.
The Rancher allows you to take a basic model, and add all of the necessary features to fit your needs exactly. Whether that is an independent rear suspension, two or four-wheel drive, Honda’s special electric power steering, or an automatic dual clutch transmission, the Rancher was built to support them all, and with an array of colors to choose from. With all of these options plus more, your fitted Rancher should feel like a tailored suit when its completed.
The Rancher ES model comes with everything the base model Rancher comes with, while adding an Honda’s electric shift system, in order to make shifting smoother and easier.
**SPECS
ENGINE
Engine - 420cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected OHV wet-sump longitudinally mounted single-cylinder four-stroke
Bore And Stroke - 86.5mm x 71.5mm
Compression Ratio - 9.9:1
Induction - Keihin 34mm throttle-body fuel-injection system
Ignition - Electric with optional auxiliary recoil
DRIVE TRAIN
Transmission - Five-speed with reverse
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES
Front Brake - 190mm Dual hydraulic disc
Rear Brake - 160mm Sealed mechanical drum
Front Tire - 24 x 8-12
Rear Tire - 24 x 10-11
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase - 49.9 inches
Seat Height - 33.7 inches
Curb Weight - 575 pounds (includes all standard equipment, required fluids and a full tank of fuel—ready to ride)
OTHER
Available Colors - Red, Olive
Model Id - TRX420TE1F
**ACCESSORIES
FourTrax Rancher ES Accessories
Windscreen - 74-0SR02-TRX-100 - $127.46
OUTDOOR STORAGE COVER - 74-08P34-HP5-200 - $54.36
12v FRONT ACCESSORY SOCKET - 74-08U70-HR3-A20 - $25.46
A-Arm Guards (front) - 74-08P71-HR3-A20 - $110.46
Skid Plate - 74-08P74-HR3-A20 - $212.46
Side Pocket Net - 74-08L72-HR4-A20 - $10.16
Plow Mount Kit - 206-08L75-HR3-A20 - $169.96
Winch - 74-08L71-HL5-A02 - $229.46
Plow Blade - 74-08L76-HR3-A21 - $220.96
REAR SOFT RACK BAG - 74-0SL56-HR3-100B - $152.96
FRONT SOFT RACK BAG - 74-0SL56-HR3-100A - $110.46
PLOW PUSH TUBE - 74-08L77-HR3-A21 - $195.46
WINCH MOUNT - 74-08L74-HR3-A20 - $169.96
ACCESSORY SUB HARNESS - 74-08Z01-HR3-A20 - $9.01
ACCESSORY SUB HARNESS - 74-08Z00-HR3-A20 - $5.06
RECOIL STARTER - 74-08U70-HR3-A60 - $98.56
HEATED GRIPS - 74-08T71-HR3-A20 - $131.71
