Once a year, we at PRCC meet in person with the other members of our international Corporate Affairs Search Alliance (CASA) for a strategy meeting. At the beginning of May this year, our Irish partner Susie Farrell from Addison Executive Search invited us to the beautiful city of Dublin. For two intensive days, CASA members from six countries (Ireland, France, Germany, UK, USA, Netherlands) discussed insights from their markets, successful search strategies and current challenges. Here are a few insights:
– Top changes are interesting in every country: In our recently published CCO Turnover Study, we had looked at the following questions: ‘How many changes were there in the largest companies in 2024? How long do top communicators stay in their positions? How high is the proportion of women? What track record do you have to get there?’. The results of the study met with great interest in all the countries analysed. As far as Germany is concerned, we are planning to expand the Turnover Index to include the MDAX and large family-owned companies in response to popular demand.
– No longer a candidate market in general – but there are still attractive jobs for skilled communicators: Crises and wars and further geopolitical and domestic political upheavals are not leaving the markets unscathed. Not least in the USA, there is great uncertainty as to where the journey is heading and what will come next – and therefore also caution when it comes to filling vacancies. In almost every country, there are industries that are currently hiring less, but there are also communications functions that are currently in greater demand (for example, change expertise and public affairs know-how are currently needed). All in all, it can be said that the markets have become tighter in places – but that there are still attractive roles for fit candidates. Not least at mid-level, candidates sometimes need to be more flexible and willing to compromise, this can also mean having to step out of your comfort zone.
– Market intelligence is becoming increasingly important: When top communicators take on a new job or are confronted with a transformation in their existing role, they increasingly put their department to the test: Can I fulfil my mandate and the CEO’s expectations with my personnel setup? Do I have a powerful department in terms of structures, processes and role profiles – also in comparison to other companies? Do skillsets and mindsets match the (intended/needed) roles? Where should what be adjusted and how? Executive search consultancies that offer appropriate advice in this area can make a relevant contribution to the companies success – not least through the use of AI (next point).
– Artificial intelligence is also changing executive search: Consultancies like us are in exchange with a lot of people – at PRCC alone, we conduct around 4,000 interviews per year. This generates a lot of data, which is often very sensitive. Artificial intelligence can help to utilise the data in the best possible way for the benefit of candidates and companies – for example, by documenting interviews, aggregating and interpreting information and preparing it for specific purposes. As search consultants, we face similar challenges as CCOs: we need to embed new technologies strategically and implement them operationally so that they can work more efficiently without damaging the credibility. This is a challenge given the mix of liability issues, privacy regulations, ethical considerations, rapid technological change, acceptance concerns, cost efficiency and so on. The CASA members meet these challenges by remaining true to their high standards and prioritising consistently: Data protection is more important than efficiency, the wishes of clients and candidates take centre stage, and the flesh-and-blood human being is always the authority when it comes to compliance with quality standards. Within these guidelines, it is important to test and, if necessary, implement new technologies together with clients and candidates. This is the only way to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction and thus the relevance of your own business.
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