Do you think of recruiting as one of your competitive advantages?

Of course, you want to recruit better than your industry peers, but what about inflicting some direct pain on your closest competitors?

According to Dr. John Sullivan, some companies use a “hire to hurt” strategy.

Targeting a competitor’s top talent makes you stronger while your competitors simultaneously get weaker. It’s a two-for-one deal.

Who does this? It’s a surprisingly common practice among the best companies.

A recent survey of trends at the top 10 firms (on LinkedIn’s most desirable employer list) revealed that increasing recruiting’s business impact was the second-ranking trend. 

Since you’re rigorously contending with other firms on every other front (i.e. what you’re offering the consumer), why not use some of that competitive energy to win the recruiting battle, as well?

A high-performing real estate company’s most valuable assets are the agents they employ. Take those away and you’re really inflicting some pain.