In the latest episode of the CG Business Advisor, host Scott Seidenberg sits down with Gene Holtzman, the President of Mitchell Martin, Inc., a recruitment agency specializing in technology staffing and healthcare solutions. Holtzman founded the company over 30 years ago, building it from the ground up into a distinguished organization comprising over 100 professionals.
Holtzman’s journey into the recruitment business was not a direct one. He initially pursued a career in social work, working with drug addicts and later becoming involved with nonprofits in the Bronx. However, when government funding for these initiatives was cut, Holtzman was faced with a crossroads. Rather than depending on politicians and bureaucrats, he decided to take his passion for helping people and apply it commercially.
Starting Mitchell Martin was not without its challenges. Holtzman initially worked for a technology staffing company, where he realized his love for matching candidates with great jobs and managers with great talent. In 1984, he co-founded Mitchell Martin with Toby Mitchell, who ultimately moved to California, leaving Holtzman as the sole owner of the company. Since then, Mitchell Martin has grown significantly, expanding its reach to 200 fulltime employees and establishing offices in India and the Philippines.
One of the key principles that Holtzman has built his business around is the importance of not just filling jobs, but making meaningful matches. This means understanding the unique needs of both clients and candidates, from technical skills to cultural fit. As technology has evolved, so has Mitchell Martin. Holtzman recognized the potential of technology in the staffing industry early on, leading to the creation of Talent Tech Labs, an incubator for entrepreneurs developing talent acquisition technology.
Despite the rise of AI and other technologies, Holtzman believes that staffing will always be a people business. While technology can make the process more efficient, the human element remains crucial, especially in areas like communication and culture fit. He emphasizes the importance of trying new things and learning from failures, as well as the need for companies to evolve and adapt to changing markets.
To learn more about Mitchell Martin and Talent Tech Labs, listeners can visit the Mitchell Martin website or reach out to Holtzman directly via email. Holtzman’s closing mantra for listeners is that “if you’re not failing enough, then you’re really not trying hard enough.” This commitment to innovation and continuous improvement is what has driven Mitchell Martin’s success over the past three decades.
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