This is a post that I wrote for my job.  The idea came to me when I was staring at an electrical outlet while feeding my infant son at nap time.  I had never taken the time to slow down and notice the outlet.  Then I started thinking about how recruiters are much like electrical outlets.  Think about it.  We aren't always noticed for what we do, but the connections we make light up the world.  We are on the front lines of business, but the people we bring to the business can make or break it.  Recruiters are the electrical outlets of the people and talent business, we are the connectors. 

Many people can tell you who invented electricity and the light bulb, but I would wager most people do not know who invented the electrical outlet.  Harvey Hubbell, a man nearly forgotten in history, that’s who.  I would argue that Harvey’s invention is just as important as the light bulb because the electrical outlet made electricity available to the masses.  In fact, the outlet paved the way for electricity to be the most overlooked commodity of the modern era.  That’s right, the outlet.  Without Harvey, how do you plug in a tv?  Better yet without Harvey, what does the term “plug in” really mean?  How do you charge your iPAD? Think about it; the outlet powers your home. 

People most often think about what is behind the outlet; the electricity, and what is in front of the outlet; the thing being powered.  It’s the magical connection of electricity to the thing being powered that is truly amazing, and truly simple. 

What if you were to treat every day as if you are an outlet? What magical connections could you make come to life?  As a marketer you have the ability to take the mundane, the everyday, and bring it to life in a magical way.  No, you aren’t making TV’s, but you are making the connection between the TV and the consumer.  You make magic with your ideas, your words, your art.  Outlets seldom get the praise of a beautiful Christmas Tree, but the tree wouldn’t be lit without the outlet. 

You have the power to be an outlet.  You have the power to bring electricity to an idea.  You have the power.  Cherish it.