Unbundled Search – A New Offering

Recently, our retained executive search practice began offering unbundled search solutions. We have done customized ongoing executive pipeline projects for clients for years, but unbundling the phases of the retained search process into distinct services is new. Part of this philosophy centers on partnering with clients and designing services that fit their needs.

One factor leading to this new service was the growth of our organization. In order to compete and outperform the major retained search firms, we needed to establish a world class research department. No longer can a rolodex of contacts generate the best candidates for a client. A thorough and complete search process must be done on every search from the beginning of the process until the search is completed.

Another factor was assessment. In order to achieve the performance metrics we have for our clients we needed to become experts on assessment. We do not want to become just another transactional search firm that disappoints our clients. We have developed a rigorous and complete executive assessment process that is unique to our organization. Finally, we have learned to adapt to new recruiting methods for today’s executives.  You have to use a mix of different tools and approaches.Will cold calling work? Sometimes. Will LinkedIn work? Sometimes. Can you email people, networks, etc. to get great candidates? Again, sometimes. We have learned that in order to get the right candidates you have to have a dedicated search professional on the front lines reaching out to these busy executives in the way they communicate. Too many large firms have junior people in their firms doing the reach out/recruiting of executives while the partners wait to see who they generate. This no longer works. Executives today want to talk to the person who is making things happen on that search or role right off the bat.

 

What Are the Parts of Unbundled Search Services?

1.Market Mapping
2.Recruitment
3.Assessment

 

Not Everyone Should Use Unbundled Service

In order for this to be successful it requires a partnership between the internal capabilities of the client and our organization. The client has to have the people, tools, and expertise to execute on the parts of the search process we aren’t providing.  We have a client we have been doing executive pipeline work for four years now and they have a strong internal executive assessment process. They want us to concentrate on the first two-thirds of the search process.  Another client wants to get market mapping done on roles where they are considering internal talent movement around their succession plan. There are a variety of reasons to use an unbundled search, but it only works when the client has both the time and expertise internally to properly handle the parts we don’t execute on.