Meet Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG, one of the fastest-growing mid-sized global executive search firms. Larry is an eminent professional and results-driven leader with broad business expertise in both executive search and industry.
With nearly four decades of experience in the talent and recruiting industry, Larry is well-versed in personnel consulting, interim management, and executive search services. He has scaled two firms successfully and created his indelible mark in the business sphere as a two-time entrepreneur.
Larry graduated from Cal State Fullerton in the business program. After graduation, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with his first business in the financial services market. Larry established the firm with his two partners, and within ten years, this company saw its revenues rise to $80 million. After a successful IPO and three years of NASDAQ trading, they grew the company to $200 million in revenue before selling it to American Express.
After a short break, the visionary man founded ZRG with a colleague, which became the second chapter of his entrepreneurial journey.
ZRG: An Overview
Incorporated in 2001, ZRG offers senior-level talent solutions to help enterprises grow and move forward. Starting with executive recruiting for senior leaders, ZRG Partners also offer human capital advice, interim talent, and an RPO division to support needs for rapid scale-up.
Envisioned to transform business through their talent offerings, ZRG expanded significantly over time and acquired a solid clientele. The firm has been named the world’s fastest-growing executive search agency twice in the last four years due to its exceptional service.
ZRG’s Tale of Inception
Larry’s foray into the recruitment industry was a natural progression, given his expertise in the industry. Initially, he found the hiring market lacked creativity and was outdated. Having used search in his earlier company, he realized that he might improve upon it by incorporating data and technology into the hiring process.
Taking ZRG to Newer Horizons with the Right Task Management
It has certainly changed as Larry and his team have grown and taken on private equity capital. His current responsibilities mostly focus on the performance, their vision, and the training and development of the executives overseeing the four business areas. Their daily objective is to reconcile the medium- and long-term ambitions with the quarter-to-quarter performance results, which requires some careful time management.
A Distinctive Approach to Staying Ahead
For Larry and his team, it is all about bringing more value to an old-fashioned industry that has resisted innovation. Their primary objective is to ensure excellent results by incorporating technology and data into conventional hiring procedures. Great people, cutting-edge technology, and a client-focused culture drive their distinctiveness.
Creating an Impact
Certainly, financial results are the first measure, and revenues and earnings are a regular scorecard. Still beyond that, it is their impact on people’s lives, which starts with the employees and Larry’s direct reports. Investors will ultimately be able to gauge their success by the value created if they effectively work with clients and witness team members develop and reach their full potential. Success for all three is achieved when they triumph.
Larry’s Resilience Shines Through Industry Challenges
Every professional journey comes with its own set of challenges and setbacks. Larry’s leadership path is no exception, and like any business leader, he faced several difficulties, including the challenge of maintaining everyone’s happiness and harmony.
However, the truth is that you can’t always please everyone. Tension and trade-offs result from the difficult balancing act that must be taken to ensure that the requirements and desires of shareholders, employees, and customers are met. Making difficult decisions is the responsibility of leaders, and not everyone is aware of the balancing act required to build a successful business.
The Key Driving Force Behind Larry’s Journey
The constant challenge to grow and evolve excites Larry the most. He is proud of ZRG, as his venture has scaled from a start-up to today’s over $230 million in global revenues, so the challenge is always finding ways to continue growth in evolving markets. That’s what excites him every day about his role.
Unveiling the Future Goals
When asked about the future plans, Larry Hartmann stated, “We are on a journey we call 10 to 9, which is the elusive billion-dollar goal in revenues over the coming years. As a result, we will rank among the top 10 talent providers in the world and significantly influence the work that we do.
Words of Wisdom
Advising young entrepreneurs, Larry shares, “Never stop learning and view feedback as a gift.”
Parting Words by the Inspirational Leader
Success in the business world today is mostly determined by talent. It is a privilege and a significant calling to be able to influence the professional advancement of our clients as well as the leaders we collaborate with on this path. At ZRG, we take this responsibility seriously and are passionate about the work we do.
“NEVER STOP LEARNING AND VIEW FEEDBACK AS A GIFT.”