Who is SPARKIN/Who Am I?
I am Stuart Parkin, an executive recruiter and coach. I worked for many years as a ‘rainmaker’/connector of individual and corporate brands, working both for and consulting to some of the most famous global corporate icons.
Academic smarts – Undergraduate in marketing and masters in organizational psychology. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and published author of fiction and non-fiction books. To see my career experience, visit: www.linkedin.com
Practical smarts – I have lived and worked in London, Tokyo, Sydney, and for the last ten years, in New York. I have experienced over 150 countries. I have worked on the agency and client side and as a consultant to major communications brands for seven years.
TESTIMONIALS
Quentin English, Senior Vice-President - Strategic Marketing / Branding, Citi Global Cards
In addition to being a positive, inspiring and supportive friend, Stuart has always been a great source of advice & contacts to me when I have been in career transition. When working with clients, he challenges them to provide a specific 'ideal' career brief and then sets about revealing practical ways to move toward attaining it. With his background combining outstanding international business experience, with admirable academic achievements & enviable adventure travel accomplishments, he brings a unique & intelligent approach and perspective to each new challenge he takes on.
Fred Langbecker, President, ISA Advertising
Stuart’s greatest strength is providing clarity and direction. He is the quintessential brand strategist for the most important brand you will ever manage --- yourself. He’s also a very charming and delightful person to work with. I recommend him most highly.” 2009
Robert Rakowitz, Group Account Director, OMD
Stuart is a real unique partner. Stuart brings a deep understanding of how the multiple worlds of planning (brand, account, communications, engagement, channel, etc.) are distinct, intertwined and at the same time coming together and how individual talent can be nurtured. Stuart provided me with a great amount of help in finding opportunities short and long term and was a great help in making sure my next move was the right one for me. He has been and will continue to be a great business partner. 2009
Teke Thomas Gissel, Strategy Director, Wolff Olins
“The thing that makes Stuart such a brilliant Career Coach is the fact that he takes the time to not only get to understand the professional objectives and ambitions of the people he works with, but also to get to know the person behind the profession. What he does so well is understand the importance of personal and professional ambition being integrated into one entity in order for you to be both successful and happy in your ventures. As such, Stuart has that "life coach" quality that many a career coach and recruiter lacks. I highly recommend Stuart's consulting and advice to anyone for whom that balance is crucial. He listens, he asks the right questions - and then he just gets it.” 2009
Ken Seiter, Sr Director Integrated Marketing Communications, Kraft Foods
“Stuart has the unique ability to lead people toward being objective about their skill sets, yet he thinks beyond the obvious to help realize their full potential. His support was invaluable in helping me understand my abilities and to focus them against potential employment opportunities. More than being a recruitment professional Stuart is a talented career coach.” 2008
Kimberly Grear, Freelance Producer
“When it comes to looking at your career -- your brand; what you're really passionate about; whom you want to work with -- there's nothing like working with Stuart to help you to retool your assets for new possibilities. And, how to go about it in a clear, empowering and powerful manner. I would highly recommend Stuart. He's passionate and joy to work with. He gave me clarity and a new focus -- how to market my career experience in new ways/new areas. It was very helpful to me, especially in this rapidly changing environment.” 2009
Jose Andrade, Creative Services Director, Nition Design
“When it comes to your personal brand, Stuart not only has a finger on the pulse of the landscape, but can put yours were it needs to be. He has the uncanny ability to know and guide you quickly, recognize your SWOT then guide you towards leveraging the outcome in a language and forum that makes the most sense for you and your potential opportunities. Thanks to Stuart's counsel, I was able to wrangle my path and have since fielded a half dozen solid opportunities. I recommend Stuart highly to those who need to get out of their own way and into the path of focused opportunity.” 2009
Janet Lyons, Global Creative Director, Stills & New Beverages, Coca Cola, Executive Creative Director, BBDO
"In a business where people are often forgotten the minute they leave lunch, Stuart is a kind caring soul who also happens to be a smart and confident career advisor. When I was in search of my next career move Stuart took the time and interest to actually ask about my dreams and interests long before my successful advertising career. He insisted I define myself as a brand and would not proceed until I had a clear vision of what my differentiating qualities were and how valuable they could be to others. If I never found another career (which I did thanks to Stuart) I would still be thankful for the time we spent just talking about life, kids, traveling and most of all finding a job you love. Everyone in transition could use a Stuart Parkin in their life."
Alexandra Dimiziani, Global Creative Director, Stills & New Beverages, Coca Cola
"All I knew I wasn't happy but didn't know even where to start in determining what would make me happy. Stuart's unique approach got me asking myself the right questions to lead me to my own, personal conclusions. Now I am finishing up my masters in investigative journalism at one of the top schools in Europe, have fallen madly in love and am pregnant."
Ove Haxthausen, Executive, Partner, Millward-Brown
"Stuart has the uncommon ability to make you discover new opportunities for yourself, in a way that explores unexpected avenues for realization while remaining rooted in the reality of your professional skill set and personal strengths. Stuart's strong professional network then provides the basis for making it happen. Meeting with Stuart doesn't just give you a blueprint for action. Stuart gets you started on that journey right away, very pragmatically. Finally, Stuart is just great company, and an excellent squash player too."
David Bonthrone, President, Saatchi X, New York
"I have known Stuart for 12 years. We worked together in Sydney where he immediately struck a chord with me as an exemplary 'relationship builder'. Coupled with a deep understanding of the rapidly changing communications business, he is genuinely interested in helping people develop their careers. That makes him the perfect 'connector' of talent to solve business problems. I hired Stuart at Saatchi & Saatchi X. He quickly understood our business and provided us with quality talent to fill roles. He has an insatiable drive for personal fulfillment having visited many countries and delved deeply into different cultures. He has also written two business books. I would recommend him to anyone. The only bad thing about him is that he supports Chelsea."
Greg Davis, Chief Growth Officer, VIA
"I have known Stuart personally and professionally for several years. He is one of the most thoughtful and creative recruitment professionals I have encountered. His sole focus in creatively helping clients harness their true (and often undiscovered) DNA to bring their careers to new levels of success. He is a rare breed of professional -- caring and compassionate and at the same time highly strategic and results-oriented. I recommend him highly."
Christian Barnett, Executive Director Strategy, Y&R
“Stuart is a premium recruitment consultant. He offers genuine value for both the firm he is recruiting into and the candidate he is acting for. He puts time and effort into understanding what is right for all parties and places emphasis on best fit, listening carefully and giving best counsel when appropriate. He is timely, courteous and easy to work with. And he delivers."
Dan McNally, SVP, Group Account Director, Tribal DDB
"Stuart doesn't just put people in slots. He has an innate ability to understand an individual's DNA as well as that of a potential hiring company. This ability allows him to create an opportunity for two brilliantly compatible entities to come together and make magic."
Alex Kooluris, VP, GM Purple, Epsilon
"Stuart has an uncanny ability to size people up and to help them focus their talents in an optimal way. He is great to work with, as he is resourceful, tenacious as well as being well connected. This combined talent provided me with opportunities which I otherwise would not have had!"
Kathy Delaney, ECD, Nitro
"Working with Stuart was an amazing experience. Unlike traditional headhunters that simply try to sell you on the jobs that are available to them, Stuart took the time to meet with me personally on a continuous basis to find out what I was passionate about both in my professional life as well as my personal life. Together we were able to take this self-discovery and find the best fit for me."
Andrew Tider, Art Director (ex BBH, Nitro)
"Stuart is a great guy with a a truly different approach to his business. I've spoken with many recruiters and have not come across anyone that thinks quite like him. This approach is what makes him so effective. You cannot find your path without knowing yourself first. Stuart knows this and he is not afraid to be different in order to be better."
Paula Moss, Founder, One Big Leap (business partner)
“I have known Stuart for many years and have always found him to be one of the most thought provoking people I have ever met. Originality is par for the course with Stuart and this coupled with his collaborative approach to problem solving ensures that he brings enormous value to any brief he works on.
My Story/What I Offer You
Aside from my formal education/experience [see www.linkedin.com] I have degrees in marketing and in organizational psychology. I want to give you a sense as to why I believe I can help you.
Far Away Beginnings – Born in the former British colony of Yemen, the son of a doctor and Royal Air Force pilot, I spent the first three months of my life on the back of my ‘aiyah’, (an Arabic term for the nanny) who literally carried me everywhere. This fact and being one of five children meant that I have always been ‘close’ to people.
For you - I genuinely care about and am interested in the development of people
Nature Nurture – From the age that I could start talking, I have had a ‘never say die mentality’ if knocked down, like the ‘Energiser bunny’ I would just keep just keep going toward my goal. The result of having to compete with a grandfather, a world war veteran fighter pilot, that gave no quarter in games, even to a six year old!’ Then again, attending boarding school from 7 to 11 taught me to be self reliant and to learn how to get what I needed.
For you - I am resourceful and used to getting what I want for myself or for others.
The Village School – After boarding school I attended a small village school with local children. Here, because I was different not because of my skin or race but because of my ‘posh’ accent, I was bullied and tormented for over a year.
For you – I understand that ‘battling the odds’ is necessary not only to survive but to progress.
Quainton – Growing up in small village with my family left indelible imprints on my psyche. My father, taught me that you don't have to simply follow others, along a path that seems palatable or even desirable. Rather, you make others happy once you make yourself happy. My ‘can do’ mother, taught me to believe that it's all possible...it is! The challenge is to work out what we want and if this is sufficiently motivational you will have taken a major step forward.
For you – I will help you clarify ‘your’ objectives, your own ideal path
Marathon Man – To ‘give ourselves’ what we need we have to be clear about what our objectives are: Intellectual, emotional, spiritual, physical. My physical objective whilst perverse, was to run ten marathons over ten years! Box checked. I did it. I’ve had similar objectives to write books, to live in different parts of the world, to host a radio show. I do what I set out to do.
For you – I offer tenacity and focus to ensure you will achieve your goals.
Mentors – I’ve had great business mentors. They encouraged me to ‘ask’ for what I wanted! When I worked for Mitsubishi Corporation, I asked to be sent to Japan so I could see the factories and learn about the products I traded in Europe. They sent me. And for my entrance in to the world of advertising I asked the then Chairman of DDB Australia to make me his first head of business development (even though I’d never worked in the business) and he agreed. I asked to be sent to the head office in New York/for a new role to be created for me. it was. When I set up a new business consultancy in New York after DDB I asked several advertising and public relations agencies to let me represent them and to pay me a retainer and you know what..They agreed. And, in many cases, I’ve asked for business from clients or for opportunities at least to do business and invariably in time, they’ve agreed.
For you – I have a business track record in four different continents for ‘getting things’ for myself and for others
The Most Precious Resource – The sudden death of my elder brother and a professor I greatly respected in a two month period in my mid teens revealed a few important things to me: First, the time we have on this planet is really precious. This is certainly true if we don't know when it's up! To quote Jack Callis, ‘time is irreversible and irreplaceable and it’s now, it’s urgent, it’s today or it’s never!’ Second, happiness or ‘quality time,’ is ephemeral and we should make the most of it. Third, the ability to have happiness now is about making the most of/living in the moment. Too often we nostalgically reflect on ‘what was’ or over zealously plan for and focus on ‘what will be,’ compromising our ability to ‘maximize now’ and therefore the future! Fourth, sudden loss teaches you never take anyone or anything for granted.
For you – The best use of my time is to quickly help you get results. I am results focused.
YOUR PURSUIT – I am used to packing my time. For me, life is to be experienced on all levels, be it wing walking or sky diving, living in different countries or writing books. My goals have not been conventional, to want to rise to the apex of a corporate ladder, although I achieved really positive things as an employee, for my bosses, rather I have chosen to live on my own independent terms. There is ‘no wrong or right way’ this is simply my choice. I am pursuing my version of success and I will help you define and pursue your version.
For you – I have experienced the corporate world as employee, client and consultant and so have a unique perspective to provide on your options.