Scaling Success Insights into executive hiring for scale-ups and entrepreneurially-driven companies. Hi Reader, I have met some great salespeople throughout my career. I've hired many for my clients – indeed sales leadership is a core part of my offering to consumer and retail businesses I have also been CEO for several international recruitment businesses where hiring sales leadership is fundamental to success. At the core of a high-performing sales leader is an innate drive and...
6 months ago • 2 min read
Scaling Success Insights into executive hiring for scale-ups and entrepreneurially-driven companies. Hi Reader, During 25 years in the search industry, I've witnessed significant shifts in how companies and candidates perceive purpose and values. If I rewind to 15 or 20 years, I encountered cynicism towards the importance of purpose and values. However, they have moved from the periphery to a central role in today's company culture. But how important are purpose and values in executive hiring...
6 months ago • 2 min read
Scaling Success Insights into executive hiring for scale-ups and entrepreneurially-driven companies. Hi Reader, After nearly three decades in executive search, particularly within the consumer and retail sectors, I’ve witnessed firsthand what separates a mediocre shortlist from an excellent one. Here are some key insights to consider when crafting a leadership shortlist. 1. Three core considerations When evaluating potential leaders, there are three critical factors to assess: Capability: Can...
7 months ago • 2 min read
Scaling Success Insights into executive hiring for scale-ups and entrepreneurially-driven companies. Hi Reader, Executive hiring is rarely straightforward. Each recruitment process brings challenges, and each leadership role has unique requirements that aren't always easy to encapsulate in a job specification. This complexity can often lead to a perception of talent shortages, which may not be as severe as they appear. The challenge of cultural fit One of the most challenging aspects of...
8 months ago • 2 min read
Scaling Success Insights into executive hiring for scale-ups and entrepreneurially-driven companies. Hi Reader, Leading a digital transformation is a formidable challenge, requiring a clear vision and a deep understanding of the human elements involved. As an executive search consultant focused on placing leaders who can drive such transformative change, the following four principles are crucial for any leader tasked with this responsibility. 1. Break down the big vision into tangible steps...
8 months ago • 2 min read
Scaling Success Insights into executive hiring for scale-ups and entrepreneurially-driven companies. Hi Reader, A challenging aspect in hiring leaders is determining and evidencing the soft skills for a successful appointment. Whilst using your intuition or gut feeling to evaluate soft skills can be an integral part of some leadership selection, I have seen too many examples where an over-reliance on it has led to poor hiring decisions. Unlike technical skills, we cultivate soft skills...
10 months ago • 2 min read
Scaling Success Insights into executive hiring for scale-ups and entrepreneurially-driven companies. Hi Reader, There is no such thing as a straightforward leadership search. Every assignment I work on has nuances, and the consequences of making the wrong decision can be very costly. More than half of the executives I speak to about leadership roles in consumer and retail aren’t in active job search mode. Processes can be lengthy, and all parties must be patient. Companies also need to...
10 months ago • 2 min read
Scaling Success Insights into executive hiring for scale-ups and entrepreneurially-driven companies. Hi Reader, A leadership team becomes powerful when complementary skills and experience are present. Sometimes, to achieve that, you might need to inject a leader into a team who can shake things up and bring a fresh perspective. I recently hired a senior marketing leader, and the brief was to challenge conventional thinking and bring fresh ideas. The CEO was favouring a candidate with prior...
11 months ago • 2 min read
Scaling Success Insights into executive hiring for scale-ups and entrepreneurially-driven companies. Hi Reader, How should values feature in leadership hiring? Look to Ikea, the world's largest furniture retailer, for inspiration. According to their CHRO, Ulrika Blesert, the company's success is not just about furniture, but about values. Founder Ingvar Kamprad's values of resourcefulness, togetherness, and ingenuity have shaped Ikea's culture, fostering entrepreneurship, kindness, and...
11 months ago • 2 min read