This comprehensive hiring checklist is designed to streamline the recruitment process and ensure all critical steps are meticulously followed. From defining the role and creating a compelling job description to partnering with an executive search firm and conducting thorough candidate assessments, this checklist covers every aspect of the hiring journey.

By closely adhering to these guidelines, organizations can enhance their ability to attract top-tier talent, make informed hiring decisions and ultimately build a strong, cohesive team that aligns with the company's strategic goals and culture.

In January, Stiles Associates released its annual full-year compensation study that shares data from a sampling of searches we filled on behalf of client organizations in 2024. Both hiring authorities and candidates alike routinely use this information to better understand current market trends when it comes to compensation packages for various roles in different sectors.

As 2024 comes to a close and we start looking ahead to 2025 (time certainly flies!), I first want to wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. We all – myself included as a husband, father and CEO – can easily get swept up in the day-to-day of our jobs and families, making this time of year incredibly important to recharge the batteries so we can give everyone who depends on us our very best.

The holiday season, often seen as a time for relaxation and celebration, can also be an opportunity for significant life changes, including relocation for a new role. While many might hesitate to make a move during this festive period, there are compelling reasons why it can be the perfect time to take the plunge.

Need a CEO for your private equity portfolio company? The data suggests bringing in someone from the outside is the popular choice.

As an executive search firm, we’re on the frontlines of finding and placing the very best individuals at the highest levels of the org chart, but not all companies apply that same level of rigor and attentiveness for roles further down the hierarchy. We’re here to help.

by Ted Stiles & David Portney
Stiles Associates

One of the most commonly misunderstood factors in executive search is how many candidates are available in pursuit of finding the right individual for an open position. Access to professional networks through platforms like LinkedIn, ZoomInfo and in-house databases has resulted in a massive and highly visible marketplace of professionals to choose from. The work of recruiters is increasingly about strategies and tactics to sift through the expansive candidate field to find the best and most appropriate candidate for the assignment.

In the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, an event that has significantly disrupted the Port of Baltimore and, consequently, supply chains across the United States, the critical role of resilient supply chain management has been starkly highlighted. This incident not only emphasizes the need for manufacturers to focus on cost efficiency but also underscores the paramount importance of prioritizing the development of robust and flexible supply chains capable of withstanding unexpected disruptions. Central to this resilience is the presence of adept supply chain leaders, whose strategic foresight and agility are indispensable in navigating the complexities of modern supply chains.

by Caitlin Cassidy, Vice President Executive Search
Edited by David Portney, Marketing Manager

Finding the best talent in private equity is anything but an exact science. It involves a unique set of expectations, challenges and rewards, so why would PE firms and their portfolio companies handle their talent acquisition needs in an ordinary way?

by Ted Stiles & David Portney
Stiles Associates

General Electric (GE) recently published its 2023 Annual Report and the results were significant, more than tripling earnings while generating almost 70 percent more free cash flow than 2022. This was no accident, as CEO Larry Culp led a shift to a back-to-basics mentality that fostered a culture of continuous improvement.