Panel Discussion: “Today's Executive Search General Overview: Trends and Challenges”

A high-level online panel discussion was held on November 20th, bringing together more than 50 attendees from around the world, to reflect on the challenges and trends in the field of Executive Search. Entitled “Today's Executive Search General Overview: Trends and Challenges”, the event was organized by Psicotec and featured the participation of prominent industry leaders, offering a global view on the key aspects that are defining and transforming this specialty.

A panel of international experts

The session was moderated by Rodrigo Perales, Marketing Director at Psicotec, and featured three international speakers:

• Marleen Smekens: co-founder of Mentorprise (Belgium) and current president of ENEX Global.
• Björn Knothe: CEO of Division One (Germany) and former president of ENEX Global.
• Mª Luisa Riobóo: CEO of Psicotec (Spain) and Europe Head of Region of ENEX Global.

The attendees, from countries as diverse as Spain, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, United States, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Austria, Japan and Nigeria, were able to enjoy a dynamic and enriching conversation which was structured in two main blocks: key aspects to consider when carrying out any Executive Search project, and the main challenges and trends facing the sector that will mark its evolution in the coming years.

Key aspects in international Executive Search projects

One of the main axes of the discussion was the analysis of the critical aspects that must be considered when dealing with Executive Search projects, especially those that are developed in an international context. The experts highlighted that the success of these processes depends on:

1. Experience and specialization: Having a company specialized in Executive Search provides a differential value, especially in global environments where cultural nuances and market dynamics vary significantly.
2. Quality and rigor: From the identification of talent to the assessment of the candidates, excellence in each stage of the process is fundamental to guarantee the optimal fit between the candidate and the organization.
3. Confidentiality: In this field, more than 80% of the people who participate in these processes are not actively looking for a new project. Therefore, confidentiality is a particularly relevant aspect and not only the success or failure of the project will depend on it, but also the reputation of the parties involved.
4. The integration of new technologies: The ability to use advanced technological tools and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to streamline and make selection processes more flexible is increasingly relevant, but all of this in a balanced way, ensuring human and personalized treatment.

The importance of ensuring a cultural fit between the company and the candidate

There is one aspect that deserves a separate mention due to its importance: the need for Executive Search processes to ensure that the match between the person and the organization will be the right one. 

Increasingly, the vast majority of Executive Search processes are approached from a global perspective. The right talent can be anywhere in the world and, therefore, it is vital to be able to identify and evaluate potential candidates with a broad and strategic vision. But this international approach can involve a significant cultural distance and complications when integrating new leaders into an organization with its own idiosyncrasies.

The three roundtable participants agreed that there are two ways that can help ensure cultural fit:

• Rigor and quality of the candidate's assessment. In these cases, the personal interview is particularly important, in which the values, principles and behaviors that allow us to analyze whether the person will fit in their new environment are examined in depth.
• In addition, it is important to combine two points of view: the global vision and the local perception.

ENEX Global is an international association of independent Executive Search and Search companies that share the same philosophy of work and quality of our solutions. We are present in more than 50 countries around the globe, which allows us to pool our local knowledge with the latest international trends. This is the only way we can ensure worldwide reach, local expertise & true engagement. 

Marleen Smekens, President of ENEX Global

Technology as a driver of change in Executive Search

In addition to cultural aspects, the speakers agreed that technology is the aspect that will most profoundly transform the sector in the coming years. AI-based tools are revolutionizing the way talent is identified and evaluated, improving the efficiency and accuracy of processes. However, they also stressed the importance of balancing these innovations with the human component that characterizes Executive Search, as strategic decision making still requires experience, intuition and a deep understanding of organizations and candidates.

Views from the Future in international Executive Search projects

Executive Search is at a crossroads where globalization, digitalization and client expectations are setting the course. Experts emphasized that, in this environment, companies that lead in the adoption of disruptive technologies and maintain a focused approach to service quality and understanding of people and candidates will have a significant competitive advantage.

This event not only provided an overview of current trends and challenges, but also connected leaders from different corners of the world and demonstrated the relevance of generating spaces for dialogue to address the challenges shared by the sector. 

Initiatives such as this panel discussion only underscore the pillars on which the world of Executive Search rests and on which it will continue to evolve:

• The expertise of specialized companies, closely linked to in-depth knowledge of the market, the quality of their solutions and the value of confidentiality.
• The capacity for innovation and adoption of AI-based solutions, always as a complement to human beings and with the aim of streamlining and optimizing processes.
• International presence and membership in global networks, which maximize attractiveness and minimize the possible cultural gap.

Is your company looking to incorporate C-level talent? Do you need to start an international search process? At ENEX Global we can help you. https://www.enexsearch.group/