SHRM’s Shift in Approach to Inclusion and Diversity: A Missed Opportunity for Equity
In July 2024, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) announced a controversial change in its inclusion and diversity approach, choosing to remove "equity" from its focus
AI tools like ChatGPT offer significant advantages in various tasks, from drafting documents to summarizing information. However, their advice, particularly for assessments, should be approached with caution, as seen in a case where AI guidance led to unfavorable outcomes in a high-stakes personality assessment.
The cost of a bad hire is high. Not only can a bad hire cost your organization hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation packages and duplicated recruiting investments, it can also shake the confidence of shareholders, create instability in customer or client relationships and diminish employee morale. Working with a member of the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global standard-setting association of the executive search and leadership consulting profession, can substantially reduce the risk of a bad hire and improve your chances for attracting and retaining top executive talent. Here’s why working with AESC member firms can minimize risk and boost your hiring success: 1. AESC Members Are Vetted to Rigorous Quality Standards. The AESC Professional Practice Standards are aligned with the Code of Professional Conduct (our shared values) and provide a framework for how members conduct their business. Firms who would join AESC are carefully evaluated to ensure they meet or exceed these standards as part of admission to the association. The vetting process also includes an evaluation of firm processes, client reference checks and a review of any legal actions that could implicate the firm in ethical breaches. Every AESC member firm has [...]
Signium is proud to announce three new partners in France. The esteemed professionals from Paris-based executive search firms will serve as Managing Partners at Signium France. The new partners include Pascal Moreau-Luchaire, Managing Director of PG&C Consulting, Alexandre Trotto, Director at Hajime RH, and François Barbier, Founder of FB Consulting. The timing of this expansion comes at a pivotal moment for business in France, particularly following the Paris Olympics and amid a period of political uncertainty. Francois Barbier comments on the current climate: “For now, much of France’s economy has slowed down because of the Olympics and politics. It’s hard to predict when the winds of business will blow again.” Pascal Moreau-Luchaire concurs that French organizations are waiting with bated breath on the election of the next government, before making major executive placement decisions: “We expect these challenges to persist until the end of the year, but it depends on the government and how quickly economic activities can recover. People will have to invest eventually, but it’s difficult to say when.” Despite the challenges, Alexandre Trotto remains optimistic about the future: “I believe that the hardest season is behind us. Business is flourishing across the world, and it will flourish in France again – [...]
Effective executives must demonstrate collaborative strengths to contribute to an organization’s continuous adaptivity and growth.
Why relying on a generic 30-60-90 day plan fails new leaders
Academic Search placed Dr. Kelly Campbell as Vice Provost for Academic Programs & Co-Chief Diversity Officer for California State University, San Bernardino Boyden placed Lorena Patterson as new President & Chief Executive Officer for Waterpower Canada. A recruitment led by Managing Partner, Eric Lathrop. Buffkin / Baker placed David Dufault-Hunter, Ph.D. as Vice President of Strategic Management and Marketing for California State University-San Bernardino. Search led by Pelema Ellis. Buffkin / Baker placed Ryan Williamson as Chief Financial Officer for The Surgical Clinic. Search led by Jackson Ross & Ryan Baggett. Coulter Partners placed Dr. David Hung as Chair for T-Therapeutics Furst Group placed Edward Banos as President & Chief Executive Officer for University Health (San Antonio) Furst Group placed Robert NIx as Chief Financial Officer, Florida Market for Tenet Physician Resources Glue Executive Search placed Juan Sebastián Martinez as Vice President, Commercial Issuing LAS for Fiserv Harris Search Associates placed Dr. Kyle Dunno as Department Chair, Department of Packaging and Graphic Media Science for the Rochester Institute of Technology Hobson Leavy placed Amrita Balaraman as Chief Operating Officer, Container Port for Lyttelton Port of Christchurch Hobson Leavy placed Marko den Breems as Chief Executive Officer for Isthmus Kaplan Partners [...]
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing executive research across the globe. Executive search firms are finding that AI can increase productivity, reducing time spent on labor-intensive tasks and creating efficiencies for assignments that handle large data sets. Generative AI is proving to be especially helpful in executive research. Firms are harnessing the technology to streamline time-consuming aspects of the initial stages of executive talent acquisition. To ensure firms remain up to date on the use of AI in executive research, the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) hosted a workshop on the topic. “Artificial Intelligence & Executive Research” featured a presentation on how to apply AI in day-to-day tasks, examples of effective prompts and exclusive AESC research findings. The workshops also included a panel discussion featuring AESC members who shared their experience using AI, including their successes and challenges. This blog explores key takeaways from workshop panelists, including insights into how real executive search professionals are effectively implementing generative AI to improve productivity, enhance efficiency, and support strategic decision-making. AI Applications Panelists identified several ways in which AI is helping them and their team work more efficiently toward finding right-fit candidates. Professionals use AI to: Transcribe meetings and summarize [...]
How new CEOs can establish a high-performing top team to accelerate performance.
Imagine the person with whom you find it the easiest to collaborate. Have you ever had an argument?
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