StrictlyExecs

I entered the executive search field as a youngster right out of college in 1979…loved the art of the recruiting process then and still love it 30 years later.

But the business is transforming. The CEO of Heidrick and Struggles, the world’s largest search firm outlines his firms plans (here) to reduce search from 95% to 50% of revenue over the next few years. That’s about a $300m revenue drop to be made up with assessment and retention consulting work.

Based on the fact Mr. Kelley states, that 40% of executives last less than 18 months in an executive role he may have a very valid point. But maybe not. Would it be too far fetched to think we’ve just come out of Internet, Y2K, housing and whatever other bubble and execs just moved from one company to another to increase comp? Or maybe the companies exploded with their respective bubbles and the executives were forced to look elsewhere. Could be wrong, but based on our recent experience as a society and the dollars about to be poured into an expanding government sector, a long career and a gold watch may become the opportunity of high value.

And yes, Internet access and speed transforms the executive search model…in interesting and exciting ways I might add - stay tuned

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 at 2:39 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.