News  Signium Comment - August 2009

Signium Comment - August 2009
5/08/2009

The Signium Comment

In today’s business environment, characterised by deferrals, executives who are experiencing success are telling their managers to “make a decision and get on with it”.  If the decision is not right, it can be corrected but for them, indecision is not an option at this time.  Some owners have stepped back into their business.  Other companies are changing their strategy and with it their structure whilst others are simply removing people and tightening their organisation to ensure a return to profitability.

Some companies are now telling us of the positive signs and opportunities in their industry that are becoming evident.  However, many organisations are too lean or stretched and don’t have the necessary resources to capture, lead and extract the value.  Companies know the benefit of having “A” quality candidates and want to hire into their own businesses the expertise they see others have.  Are we describing your organisation?  How do you get these resources?

In a market characterised by a surplus of candidates, hiring managers believe it should be easy to recruit good people. Clients are telling us that although the volume of applicants is very large the calibre of candidate is no better than it was 24 months ago.  We are not surprised.  There are “good” candidates looking for opportunities in the market.  However, they are not the “excellent” candidates that companies wish to hire.  Executives are returning from overseas, but they often do not match the demands in our market.  With companies lifting their standards higher to deal with a difficult market, it is even harder to identify and, more critically, attract candidates to leave the security of their present positions.  Security is much more important now than it has been for many years.  Our role, and our commitment to our clients, is to ensure that we find the best leaders.  It is what we do best. We work hard and identify and present shortlists of “excellent candidates” - “A” class candidates are available.

So what of the future?

Although it was May when the decline stopped, we have only in the last four weeks felt a slight lift in executive confidence.  Despite this, we believe the current market conditions will prevail.  We note a number of companies are holding off taking action and think they are covering the situation “for the moment” pending the uplift in the economy.  “Don’t”, is our advice.  Deal with the reality of the current situation.  Put away the sticking plaster.  Remove the temporary measures and the weak links in the structure.  Any organisation is only as strong as its weakest link and may not survive before the market picks up.  Exercise leadership, acknowledge the issues and take action now.

Signium Executive Search International

www.signium.co.nz    Ph: 09 309 0886,   04 473 1666