Opportunity Everywhere You Look

"Everywhere you look, there's an opportunity to collect more data and then apply a statistical or mathematical approach to understanding what's happening," says Chris Kemp, chief executive officer of Nebula.

This quote comes from a recent two-part series on NPR’s Morning Edition about what they call "Big Data." It’s what we call our raw material, or more aptly, our bread and butter. And it’s everywhere.

It looks like this picture will stay just as rosy for quantitative specialists for at least the next ten years to come. What a wonderful position to be in to start the New Year!

We’re feeling pretty lucky to be part of an industry that is enjoying such stability and growth, able to weather the ups and downs of what is likely to continue to be a volatile economy. We rejoice in each of your successes, and encourage you to hone your skills, stay hands-on (even at senior levels), and learn everything you can. Make plans now to attend an industry conference (or two) next year and continue to network at every opportunity.

Wishing you and your family all the best over the holidays and in the New Year to come.

The Art of Building Relationships

It’s been a remarkable year at Burtch Works. Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe it has been just a little over a year that we’ve been together in this new, flexible practice. Working nationwide, we have strengthened our many long-standing relationships and established some new ones. Here among the staff, we have welcomed a few new faces and welcomed back some long-time friends and colleagues. The depth and breadth of experience represented is second to none, and we continue to grow and build our relationships.

I strongly believe that these relationships are what set Burtch Works apart. Making a placement — finding the right candidate for the right client — that’s what we do. But building relationships is who we are, and our relationships allow us to do what we do better than anyone else.

For our candidates, building a long-term relationship means that we get to know who you really are — not just for a single interview for a particular job, but across the course of your career. As you grow, as your personal life changes, as you look toward your future, we can help you map out strategic moves, develop your professional network and create long-term business relationships that will allow you to manage your career to fit the needs of your life at every stage along the way. We want to know your hopes and dreams, not just your salary requirements and technical experience (although we want to know those, too).

For our clients, building a long-term relationship means we can help you hire the best and brightest quantitative professionals — the people you need to navigate the ever-widening river of data. As far back as 1943, Winston Churchill observed that the empires of the future would be empires of the mind. That future is now, and the battle for talent is fierce. We have the experience and resources to help you win that battle.

In less than a month, we will ring in the New Year, and we’re excited to be celebrating with you. Let us hear from you about your plans — big and small — for next month, next year and into the next decade. And warmest wishes to you and your family for a bright and happy holiday season.

Three Thanks and a Wish

It’s pretty traditional around the holidays to do an assessment — a year in review kind of thing. Given that we are just getting started here at Burtch Works, I decided to forego that tradition for a simpler one. This year, I’d like to offer three thanks and a wish.

First, I’d like to thank my family for their support during this period of transition. Change is good. Change is inevitable. Change is hard, especially on husbands and children, or so mine keep telling me. Doug describes his role as the person who does everything I don’t want to do. And I have my son Jay hooking up and troubleshooting the computers at $5 per hour (we are a start up!). Becky and Jackson made some beautiful signs out of our logo that are all around my office. So thank you to my family for taking this exciting new ride with me.

Second, thanks to those who have worked with me to get Burtch Works up and running. This last month or so has been a whirlwind of activity, and your talent, enthusiasm and dedication are stamped on every inch of this new endeavor. Lauren Eck, Katie Ferguson and Sandy Marmitt have jumped in with energy and excitement, creating a vibrant and fun new office. I’m looking forward to writing a very positive year-in-review post next December.

Finally, thanks to all of you for your warm thoughts and good wishes, which have helped launch Burtch Works on such a positive note. I am thrilled, excited and busy … really, really busy … so I know that 2010 is going to be a good year.

And now for my wish. I could wish that I could figure out all the bells and whistles on our high tech phone system, but with Lauren’s help, I am sure I will get there. I could wish for better economic times, but every sign I see is that things are turning around. So instead, I will simply wish you a joyous holiday season and the very best for you and yours in the New Year. May it be a year of peace and prosperity, and, if you desire, a year of positive change.

Happy Holidays!

Linda Burtch