1. With a limited pool of talented individuals worldwide and a great global demand for them, executive search has often been compared to a “war for talent”. How would you describe the state of today’s search for talent?

Due to the ever increasing need for globally experienced executives the shrinking talent pool caused by demographic effects and the reduced willingness of top managers to move family and house it will be an even more demanding task for corporations to find top talent in the future- The war for talent is on again! Our studies have shown that talent acquisition and talent retention ranks today amongst the top three concerns of the CEOs. A good executive search firm is the best support for CEOs to win that war.

2. What three characteristics are most sought after in a top executive?

Leadership skills, emotional intelligence and passion for the job.

3. If a company has a vacant top-level management position to fill, can you tell us in one sentence why this task shouldn’t be left up to the company’s HR department alone?

Contrary to the human resources department, only we are able to identify, motivate and convince the best global candidates to further their career with the new employer, our client firm!

AmCham Feb 2008 -Ulrich F. Ackermann, TRANSEARCH International, Adding the human touch.pdf >>

Take a look online: Leadership outside the box:
http://www.amcham.de/publications/commerce-germany/leadershipoutsidethebox.html