Our Seven Step Proven Process

Above all, at The Spencer James Group, we foster open communication. At all stages of the hiring process, candidates will share concerns and questions with us that they might not feel comfortable sharing directly with you. We are able to walk around the table and see everyone’s cards, which significantly increases the odds of everyone coming to feeling good with the terms at the offer stage.

This is our tried and true process to helping our clients secure a great match for their specific needs.

  • Understand the opportunity Understand the opportunity Understand the opportunity
  • Create the correct job description Create the correct job description Create the correct job description
  • Research Research Research
  • Recruit Recruit Recruit
  • Build relationships Build relationships Build relationships
  • Interview Interview Interview
  • Make an offer and close the deal Make an offer and close the deal Make an offer and close the deal

Case Study

The Problem

The Problem

In 2018, Symetra’s West Region faced challenges. The region, covering several key markets, including the Pacific Northwest, Texas, and California, was underperforming. The team struggled to establish a cohesive vision, and performance metrics lagged behind expectations. 

Symetra needed leadership to energize the team and develop a strategy to drive sales results in the hyper-competitive life, disability, absence management, and supplemental health markets. The company sought a leader who could not only revitalize the region but also demonstrate the potential for long-term success within the organization.

The Solution

The Solution

To address the issue, the focus was on finding the right Regional Vice President (RVP) who could transform the West Region. The ideal candidate needed a deep understanding of the group benefits market, a proven track record in sales leadership, and credibility with brokers/consultants in the region.

We conducted a targeted search from direct competitors, including other RVPs and Sales Managers ready for the next step in their careers. Through this process, we identified David Schneeweis, a seasoned sales leader with a stellar reputation for turning around underperforming markets.

David brought an impressive blend of skills:

  • Experience as a team leader, building a successful organizational culture that will live well beyond his leaving.
  • Experience as an RVP turning around underperforming market in the region.
  • A track record of promoting a culture of empowerment
  • The ability to inspire and align teams toward a common goal.

After onboarding, David quickly began evaluating the team and market dynamics. He retained most of the team members and helped develop them into higher-performing sales consultants. He also set about recruiting the right salespeople to join his field force.

The Outcome

The Outcome

David's leadership marked a turning point for Symetra’s West Region. He introduced a clear vision, and redefined performance expectations. Under his guidance, the region

  • Rebuilt trust with key brokers, which led to new large-case wins.
  • Streamlined processes to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
  • Fostered a culture of collaboration and accountability, boosting team morale.

Over the following six years, the region experienced 20% year-over-year growth, and broker/consultant confidence in Symetra was stronger than ever. 

David’s remarkable achievements earned him a promotion to Head of Sales. He now oversees Symetra’s national sales strategy and leverages his proven leadership to drive success across the organization.