UPwords Inc

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You are here: Home / Executive Search & Recruitment

Executive Search & Recruitment

Executive Search and Recruitment

UPwords, Inc. is a boutique executive search firm accelerating business growth by securing performance-oriented top talent for our progressive, forward-thinking key clients with a search process that involves finding best-fit candidates on an engagement or retained fee basis.

Based on the number of baby boomers leaving the white-collar job market, we are in a white-collar talent drought. This forecasted “30 year drought” has been going on for the past 15 years, and is expected to continue for the next 15! The biggest challenge in Executive Search isn’t finding a person, it is finding the right person – the one who “fits” into an organization. Finding that person who will positively impact the organization is time-consuming and expensive, not to mention intimidating. A high-quality executive search process can mitigate these challenges.

As a boutique executive search firm, we have the luxury, the commitment, the skill set, and the track record, to conduct a high-level thorough recruitment process in a variety of industries. Our individual past experiences in “Corporate America” come together to give us a unique advantage in understanding both sides of the executive search equation.

The Recruiting Process

UPwords Inc. is a search firm that actually searches! We tap into the untapped 85% of happily-employed-not-really-looking candidates, not the 15% posted-on-job-boards-desperate-to-make-a-change candidates. We use traditional methods of sourcing candidates; cold-calling, networking, referrals, and contacting A-players who have surfaced via networking. We also leverage newer technologies including social media, email blasts, and special interest groups. We do not rely on job boards and inbound resumes.

For most recruitment/search firms, the process ends once a candidate has been identified. We provide a value-add service in that we not only attract results-oriented, motivated, and forward-thinking candidates, we also help our key clients secure them. This is an important distinction in a candidate-driven marketplace.

Our Client Base

We are selective in our client base, only doing searches for key clients – client companies who “get it” – who understand the impact the right candidate can make on their business and the expense of hiring the wrong candidate. These companies appreciate the nuances of each employee; understand how to leverage their skills, experience, and passion; and invest in their employees’ success.

The Recruiter

Our recruiters/search professionals/headhunters are seasoned and tenured business leaders who have had careers prior to executive search in the “people business”. Ranging from high-level sales, management, and leaders, to entrepreneurs and coaches. Our career backgrounds have given us the unique ability to draw on a variety of experiences to attract and secure the best candidates and opportunities.Our career experiences make it possible to relate to candidates as peers – demonstrating like-mindedness and relate-ability, which is important for recruiters in building meaningful relationships with candidates and clients.

Industry Focus

Michigan

In addition to industry focus (see below), because we are based in Grand Rapids, MI, with origins in the Metro Detroit area, we partner with Michigan clients as “generalists” to secure top talent. Due to Michigan-based contacts, we work with in a variety of industries of various sizes, to secure a wide range of positions and titles.

Energy & Utilities

We have successfully spent 10+ years in the Energy & Utilities Market. Our main areas of expertise are in: Transmission & Distribution; Power Generation; Utilities; and Turbines.

Sales

Although not an industry per se, we have used our vast personal sales experience and recruiting history to successfully surface sales talent in a variety of industries.

Medical Device

Having spent more than fifteen years in the industries of executive search and medical device, we blend these experiences to optimally serve our clients and candidates in this industry space. Since we have had experience walking the halls of the hospital, calling on physicians, working the O.R., and hitting aggressive performance goals, we are able to offer a unique perspective regarding the medical device industry. We bring a unique value to candidates (and ultimately to clients) by relating and understanding the opportunity firsthand.

Capital Equipment

We have had great success in the Capital Equipment industry with a primary focus in the raw material processing sector – Wood; Metal; and Plastics processing,- placing candidates in a variety of positions including Sales; Marketing; Project Management; Regional & National Management; and Product Management.

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Testimonials

Melvin Gottschalk, Jr.

“Pat Riley said ‘Great effort springs naturally from great attitude.’ Heidi Frye’s executive coaching enlightened me to the truth behind these words…I would not be where I am today without Heidi and highly recommend her leadership coaching to anyone focused on… Read more “Melvin Gottschalk, Jr.”

Melvin Gottschalk, Jr.
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Stephan W. Waltman

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for the service that you have provided Stiles Machinery for the last 15 years. Your contributions…have been immeasurable…Personally, I feel privileged to have had access to your advice and counsel. We… Read more “Stephan W. Waltman”

Stephan W. Waltman
Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Stiles Machinery, Inc.
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Julie L. Novak

“I started working with Heidi about 18 months into my tenure as CEO, and …I soon realized it was essential to my growth as a leader. In the early days, she put a variety of concepts and tools in my… Read more “Julie L. Novak”

Julie L. Novak
Chief Executive Officer, Michigan State Medical Society
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Larry Gibbons

“I have worked with many executive search firms across the USA and Canada. Upwords Inc. has proven to be among the best, coming through where others have failed to meet our needs…Heidi Frye has demonstrated her ability to understand our… Read more “Larry Gibbons”

Larry Gibbons
VP HR, Kinectrics Inc.
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Lori Stokes

“I have reached out to Heidi during the many phases of my management career for leadership coaching.  Her advice and wisdom has helped me identify ways to grow professionally as a individual and leader.  She is  honest, professional, and highly… Read more “Lori Stokes”

Lori Stokes
Materials Manager
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Juli B.

“Working with Heidi was one of the most rewarding experiences in my career.  I am a better leader, co-worker and person…She has been one of the most influential people in my life.  I would recommend her expertise to anyone inspired to invest in advancing their career… Read more “Juli B.”

Juli B.
C.F.O.
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Suzette Jaskie

“What a great asset Heidi has been to our team…Heidi in essence became part of our team and was able to assist key leaders in advancing their leadership approach and in turn – able to produce better results for the… Read more “Suzette Jaskie”

Suzette Jaskie
President and CEO of MedAxiom Consulting (Former CEO at West Michigan Heart)
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David Purpura

“I wanted to share this and tell you how much you have helped me in my career in so many ways.  Your knowledge of the industry and mentoring is among the best and I hope that we remain professional contacts!!!!!! … Read more “David Purpura”

David Purpura
Director of U.S. Business Development
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Spectrum Health Physician

“I have to admit I was a little skeptical when I first learned that we were to have this type of team meeting [Open 360 Feedback Process], but it definitely exceeded my expectations…You did a fabulous job with us and… Read more “Spectrum Health Physician”

Physician
Spectrum Health
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Matt Schad

“…Nucraft has worked with Heidi to create internal peer groups to improve our internal communications and teamwork skills…Heidi facilitates these groups and the feedback has been uniformly positive from the participants…Heidi and UPwords Inc. have become a trusted Nucraft advisor.”

Matt Schad
CEO, Nucraft Furniture
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Linda M. Peasley, Ph.D. & Sally A. Camper

“The Department of Human Genetics would like to thank you for presenting the ‘Dealing with Conflicts’ workshop last weekend at our annual retreat…Our graduate students certainly appreciated the various exercises and, most of all, the role playing…The interactions with faculty,… Read more “Linda M. Peasley, Ph.D. & Sally A. Camper”

Linda M. Peasley, Ph.D. & Sally A. Camper
Department Administrator Prof. and Chair,The University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Human Genetics
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J.C.

“In one sentence:  Heidi made me a better leader, employee, spouse and friend…Heidi is an outstanding coach that helped me achieve more than I thought I could, in a short period of time.”

J.C.
Director of Marketing, Meijer
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UPWORDS INC.

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4519 Cascade Road
Building 1 - Suite 4
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
info@upwordsinc.com
616.464.4100
616.464.0105 FAX

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