Cover Page Table of Contents Industry News The Top 100 Sector Features The last Word Permanent News < Economic Drivers > May Flowers?
The trends. Capital Spending, Unemployment, Domestic Production, More
< Permanent > Newly booked executive search assignments increased by 23 percent in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the fourth quarter 2001 < Staffing >

Top performing franchise operator appointed CEO of U.S. for International Staffing firm.

< HR/Corporate > Only 64% of surveyed
HR Execs have a formal pay-for-performance system. < Consulting/IT > All Segments of IT Services will continue to experience slower growth rates in 2002
< On-line Recruiting > On-line Recruiitng continues to show strong growth < Service Providers > Expertise was particularly valuable in helping us establish procedures that apply the same standards to all applicants for similar positions

According to a hiring survey conducted by MRI, demand for mid-to-upper level managers, high-level executives
and professionals persists.

Of the nearly 1,800 executives surveyed, 38.4 percent indicated plans to make additions to their staffs during the first half of 2002, down by 5.4 points from second half 2001. Another 49.3 percent plan to maintain their current staff sizes, up by 4.1 points, and 12.3 percent plan decreases, up by 1.3 points.

Hunt-Scanlon reports Association of Executive Search Consultants's
survey results

A recent study conducted by The Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC), a global professional organization for retained executive search, has found that newly booked executive search assignments increased by 23 percent in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the fourth quarter 2001 and just 6 percent below the same level of one year ago

Business Week On-line reports "...Companies are also reducing their reliance on executive search firms..."

Now that the dust has cleared a bit, managers are reassessing how and who they hire, and how to make sure employees perform. In short, they're looking for employment policies better suited to a much more variable business climate.

Worldwide HR Consulting firm's study concludes: attracting and retaining key executive talent is still difficult

Hewitt surveyed 176 major companies and found that nearly one-half (47 percent) say that attracting and retaining key executive talent is still difficult, but admit it is easier now than it was before the economic downturn. Companies cite weakness in stock prices as a continuing problem, eroding their ability to use equity incentives as an attraction and retention tool.

International Financial Hiring Index:
Hiring of accounting and finance professionals in the third quarter of 2002
will remain little changed from the second quarter of this year

"While continued economic recovery is widely expected, many executives are waiting for evidence of further business growth before making substantial increases in hiring," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International.

"Those firms that are adding accounting and finance staff are taking a very strategic and cautious approach," he added. Messmer noted that experienced accounts receivable and credit and collections personnel are in strongest demand as companies take steps to resolve outstanding receivables.

Survey Shows Executives are Cautiously Optimistic regarding future - M&A Activity

Almost 30 percent of Fortune 1000 executives surveyed by Accenture, the world's leading management and technology services organization, believe that their company's appetite for M&As will increase during the next six months. More than 50 percent of those surveyed believe that it will stay the same as the year before. Only 18 percent feel that it will decrease in 2002.

Regional Accounting firm introduces
search and placement services

"Clients would ask us from time to time to find financial personnel for their positions. So we would," said Elisabeth Leach, director of marketing for Alpern Rosenthal.

TalentShift today launched the first
of its kind "Pay as you Grow"

Executive search and consulting program
The program is focused on helping viable high technology and biotechnology startups make it to the next level of business achievement. TalentShift will provide qualified emerging companies with top-end executive search and HR consulting services on a deferred payment or equity stake plan. Francois Guay, founder of TalentShift says that the program offers unfunded or under-funded startups the ability to compete and get to a level playing field with bigger companies. Canadian venture capital companies as well as numerous company executives have given the program a big thumbs up.

Top Execs Worry About Talented Workforce

"Attracting, developing and retaining a talented workforce" is the number-one issue keeping their CEOs awake at night, according to respondents of a new survey by THINQ Learning Solutions, Inc.

Business Week On-line reports "...Companies are also reducing their reliance on
executive search firms..."

Reducing their reliance on executive search firms, which typically charge a fee equal to a third of a placed candidate's first-year salary. HereUare's Dong says he's relying on his company's Web site and referrals from current employees for leads. The primary role for headhunters is the search for "an 'A' player who's still working," says Wayne Mitchell, managing director of search firm Christian & Timbers' Dallas office. Such people "aren't responding to job boards and aren't looking for jobs," Mitchell adds.

Top Dallas-Based Executive Search firm
expands into Silicon Valley

The Silicon Valley market has been one of the firm's most successful in the past year and recent demand has necessitated them to open an office in the area. By completing CEO and VP searches for leading VC's such as Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sevin Rosen Funds, JP Morgan, and GE Capital, the firm has created a buzz in the industry as one of the "best-kept secrets" in executive search.

MRI reports unemployment rate for Professional/Management staff declines,in April

Largely unnoticed in April's sobering jobless rate increase to 6 percent was encouraging news reported by the U.S. Department of Labor - say recruiters at Management Recruiters International - showing that the unemployment rate for the managerial/professional workforce decreased to 2.8 percent in April from
3.0 percent in March.

This statistic also points out the significant difference in overall unemployment vs skilled. The unemployment rate of the skilled workforce in the U.S. is typically one half of the general unemployment rate.

Human resources solutions firm's commitment to total quality management -- combined with ISO9002 certification and innovative approaches to Internet recruitment and behavioral screening spawn growth

ACT-1 Group, an industry leader in managed services and quality human resources solutions, announced today the opening of new full-service branches in two cities and the expansion of a third Pennsylvania office, with emphasis on serving the growing pharmaceutical, manufacturing, medical, technology and financial sectors in the state.

Boston Business Journal reports branch of Korn/Ferry International Inc. is regrouping under new leadership.

"The days of the Lone Ranger and `eat what you kill' mentality are over."

In place of that mentality is an emphasis on teamwork, says Sullivan, the newly appointed manager, an eight year veteran of the office. He said the company has even changed its compensation plan to reward teaming up among staff members..

Professional Recruiting Group recommends using Interim Executives to aid in company transitions

Company turmoil, poor economic performance and the free-agent mentality of the late nineties have led to increased turnover at the executive level over the past few years. Every executive departure results in substantial replacement costs, leadership issues and crisis management.

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