CASE STUDY

THE RIGHT PERSON TO LEAD?

Taking a closer look at people’s credentials.

CHALLENGE

The client needed to find a Managing Director for their business in an emerging market. A potential candidate had been recommended. I was asked to profile him.

INSIGHT

On paper, the individual seemed to have the right credentials, well equipped for the role with our client. He even had one of our client’s Senior Executives as a reference.

SOLUTION & OUTCOME

Interviewed the candidate using the AMANI™ protocol. The candidate’s track record, knowledge and experience seemed to be ideal. However, there was something that wasn’t right. It was very subtle with no hard evidence at this stage, but enough to instil a doubt and raise a red flag.

Discussed the matter with the client who looked into the area raised.

The examples the potential candidate had shared were real, but the work he was taking credit for was carried out by someone else – a person already working with our client.  Definitely not someone who could be trusted to lead a business. Saved the client from the potential fallout of having the wrong leader in place.

CASE STUDY

A TEAM ACQUISITION Handling the fallout from the financial crisis CHALLENGE A global financial institution was in trouble. Bankruptcy was inevitable. Wanting to get ahead of it, a member of the regional team approached us to explore options.  INSIGHT Profiled every...

CASE STUDY

FINDING THE RIGHT LEADER An innovative approach to finding the right leader   CHALLENGE A family business with a franchise partner had to replace the Managing Director with immediate effect. Failure to do so could result in them losing their business relationship...

CASE STUDY

A TEAM ACQUISITION

Handling the fallout from the financial crisis

CHALLENGE

A global financial institution was in trouble. Bankruptcy was inevitable. Wanting to get ahead of it, a member of the regional team approached us to explore options. 

INSIGHT

  • Profiled every team member, identifying their skills, aspirations and team cohesion
  • Reviewed their deal sheets, understanding their capabilities and sectorial coverage
  • Pinpointed critical team members to each cluster and business

Provided an existing client with the overview of the team, discussing capabilities, cohesion, linchpins and possible constructs.

SOLUTION & OUTCOME

Equipped with an in-depth understanding of the team and their capabilities, he set up discussions with the leaders of the institution to discuss the business further and their options. Initially exploring the acquisition of the regional team, the talks shifted to a global acquisition. Key to this was the alignment of the organisations’ sectorial coverage, cultural dynamics and the mindset of the people.

The acquisition did not take place. Our client’s bid became untenable when another bank acquired the business, paying cash bonuses with the hope of retaining the team. Unfortunately, that strategy did not work, and team members started disbanding within six months due to a lack of cultural fit with the acquiring organisation and lack of deal flow.

CASE STUDY

ESTATE PLANNING Wealth transition between generations   CHALLENGE An Ultra high-net-worth family had sold the shares in the family business and placed the funds in trust to secure the wealth for future generations. However, the structure was creating family...

CASE STUDY

SUCCESS IN SUCCESSION The next generation taking over the family business CHALLENGE A nextgen was taking over the family business. To grow the business he also took on a private equity partner. The private equity firm recommended me as a sounding board to the CEO....

CASE STUDY

THE RIGHT PERSON TO LEAD? Taking a closer look at people's credentials. CHALLENGE The client needed to find a Managing Director for their business in an emerging market. A potential candidate had been recommended. I was asked to profile him. INSIGHT On paper, the...

CASE STUDY

FINDING THE RIGHT LEADER

An innovative approach to finding the right leader

 

CHALLENGE

A family business with a franchise partner had to replace the Managing Director with immediate effect. Failure to do so could result in them losing their business relationship with the franchise partner, which would have a big impact on their business, revenue and reputation. The time constraints were further exacerbated by the time of year – it coincided with a holiday season during which most people are not available.

SOLUTION & OUTCOME

The situation required an understanding of the issues and related factors, an ability to be laser-like in identifying the right person and out of the box thinking. Going the traditional search route would have taken too long. Taking a closer look at their client-base, contacts and additional resources, formulated a unique strategy that identified the right potential candidates and we set out to profile them for best fit.

The targeted candidates were from three different geographical locations so there were a number of factors to consider including:

  • The right skills and motivations
  • An understanding of the market
  • A proven track record in building a business with similar challenges
  • An ability to work with the cultural mix of people that worked with the organisation
  • An understanding of what relocation would entail from a familial perspective, making sure everyone was on board and in alignment
  • Resonance in terms of the ability to fit and thrive in the corporate culture

Regardless of the tight deadline, anyone who wasn’t just right was excluded, for their own sake as well as the client’s. Failure to do so would have increased the probability of having to face the same problem some months down the line. Using this methodology, the shortlist of three top candidates was presented within a month of first being alerted of the situation by the client.

The individual hired is still with the brand, growing the business in a new territory.

Saved the client time, money, reputation and the relationship with their franchise partner.

CASE STUDY

CASE STUDY

ESTATE PLANNING Wealth transition between generations   CHALLENGE An Ultra high-net-worth family had sold the shares in the family business and placed the funds in trust to secure the wealth for future generations. However, the structure was creating family...

CASE STUDY

CASE STUDY

SUCCESS IN SUCCESSION The next generation taking over the family business CHALLENGE A nextgen was taking over the family business. To grow the business he also took on a private equity partner. The private equity firm recommended me as a sounding board to the CEO....

CASE STUDY

CASE STUDY

THE RIGHT PERSON TO LEAD? Taking a closer look at people's credentials. CHALLENGE The client needed to find a Managing Director for their business in an emerging market. A potential candidate had been recommended. I was asked to profile him. INSIGHT On paper, the...