The Searchers

There are professionals who offer services that may sound a bit more interesting and extraordinary compared to what other more conventional professionals do. Those whose primary tasks involve much looking for information based on specific requirements. These professionals do what they do for a living with a separate set of skills and talents not usually found in workers like us. They go into search missions in exchange for monetary rewards from people they work for or companies who hire them. We can simply refer to them as “searchers.”

Companies and individuals hire such special people because of their distinct knack for knowing where to scrounge around, who to ask, how to connect, and most importantly — the fastest way to get these things done successfully. You may be amazed at how they easily become privy to information you would have had otherwise taken years to even get a hint at. You may have also become aware of the surefooted audacity by which they manage to make deals happily fall into place despite the seemingly far-fetched likeliness of such thing happening. It’s in the connections they make between ideas and execution. That eye for the missing link. The gut-feel that tells them they’re on to something. It’s not that you don’t have it. They’ve just got more of this than you do.

These are professionals always on the look out for special things, people, places, and even organizations. You may have come across them in some business convention you’ve been to, via phone calls from unexpected callers; in parties and out of town trips; in business meetings, and the like. Although you may not be as skilled or talented or specially inclined to go into such professional direction, you can learn some useful things from these searchers. Aside of course, from the simple tips you already know like tollfree numbers and Google search that offer quick results when you need to find material sources for possible purchase.

The tricks of the trade

Resourcefulness, quick thinking and effective professional networking are qualities that make searchers function efficiently. Learning some of the tricks of their respective trades can help you be efficient and professionally successful in whatever you do. Don’t think nor assume that you can never apply some of these tricks to what you do. Keep an open mind. Make it function. Go meet some of them and learn:

• Fashion stylists and production designers. Always being on the look out for the latest and the next big fashion thing is what makes effective stylists tick. Production designers always set their sights on look, character, and design statement everywhere they throw their gaze. Both have a good sense of culture, history, and good grooming. Effective staging and presentation is what you can learn from these guys. Communicating ideas visually and relevantly, too.

• Headhunters. Can spot talent, leadership qualities and suitable people for specific jobs instantly. Perfect judges of character and may possess the precognitive skills of a mentalist. Headhunters are always on the prowl for CEOs at large. They do not rely solely on databases. The next time you speak before some business convention and a total stranger afterwards asks for your card and you hand one to him/her, take note. You may have created a good impression there and that stranger may be calling you sometime in the future for a job offer. You can learn discernment, interpersonal relationship analysis skills, and competence gauging abilities from headhunters.

• Real estate developers. Always searching for locations and properties up for sale. Real estate developers are good at imagining places in their developed states long before any cornerstone is laid. They can see years ahead in terms of market value. Aside from a good sense of direction and efficient map reading, you can also learn how to dream big, create anything from scratch, and turn an eyesore into a paradise.

• Events organizers. Good at eyeing sponsors, sourcing clever show ideas, and finding corporate funding. You can learn a lot about branding know-how, outsourcing options, creative planning, market relevance, spotting great venues, evaluating contracts, and best of all — having a great time while making a whole lot of money. It’s show time!!!