These are challenging times for Alberta's senior decision-makers. Yes, profits are robust and growth projections are surging. But as the workforce ages and corporate raiding reaches a zenith, personnel attrition rates have climbed as high as 10 per cent across the board.
Result: Too many business leaders are wasting too much time trying to fill too many vacant positions at the senior management and executive level.
But the smart ones don't even try. Instead, they call Boyden global executive search, one of the most accomplished senior recruitment teams in the business.
The Calgary office of Boyden global executive search operates independently, while upholding the optimal standards and drawing on the resources of a worldwide network of recruiting professionals, frequently referred to as "headhunters."
At Boyden, Managing Directors Brent Shervey and Robert Travis run their own show. They enjoy the flexibility to respond directly to the specific needs of their clients. In short, this is no cookie-cutter operation.
On the contrary, Shervey, Travis and their associates take pride in an incomparable customer service model that puts an outstanding research team and a broad contact base straight to work on the client's behalf.
"We're very good at what we do but we're smart enough to know we can't do it alone," says Travis, whose company specializes in identifying, locating, interviewing and recruiting only the most capable and experienced senior managers and execs.
"Our researchers have made a science of pre-qualifying the best senior people in the market. They understand our clients' needs extremely well," Travis adds.
In a nutshell, here's how the process works. Let's say you're a company president, in the market for a new marketing VP for your oil and gas service company.
After initial consultation with Brent, Robert or another senior associate within Boyden, you'll work closely with your contact throughout the process. Within days, Boyden researchers will have begun identifying every marketing VP in every service company in the country - and have their qualifications, their backgrounds and their contact information. "Then we start targeting these people. Our researchers also think on their feet. They'll scour the market for other qualified people working in related fields," says Shervey.
Each person on the candidate list is approached and sounded out on an individual basis. Those who express interest and possess the required qualifications will be personally interviewed, in depth, by a senior Boyden team member (often several times) before recommendations are made to the customer.
Virtually every strong candidate brought forward by Boyden is currently holding down a similar position elsewhere in the Canadian or international business community.
"We really get in their faces," smiles Shervey. "We make sure each exceptional candidate understands that he or she is being offered a terrific opportunity."
Naturally, absolute discretion and confidentiality are key values at Boyden. If necessary, even short-list clients will not be told which company is interested until the client gives the word. If need be, non-disclosure agreements will be signed before a strong candidate is taken to meet his or her prospective employer.
"Our clients and our candidates expect that level of professionalism from us," confides Shervey. "It's the difference between Boyden global executive search and other companies who may not come up to our own high standards."
But don't take Shervey's word for it. Any number of satisfied clients are only too glad to corroborate his claims.
"I have been working with Boyden since 2001 on several executive level searches. I appreciate the personal level of attention and detail with which they undertake their assignments," says Michael D. Hambly, president of Aker Kvaerner Process Systems Canada Inc.
"They spend the quality time up front to thoroughly understand the needs of our organization and the required character and qualifications that will ensure a good fit," Hambly continues.
"I have yet to experience where they have decided to put forward an unsuitable candidate for formal interviewing."
Vern Kimball, CEO, Calgary Exhibition & Stampede, says: "We have used Boyden for our senior level recruiting. They did a great job sourcing candidates for unique positions and screening their qualifications. They were very professional in how they treated both the candidates being interviewed and our company.
I would use Boyden again for a senior level recruitment."
During the last 10 years, Boyden's Calgary office has built a reputation for ethics and integrity that both Managing Directors fiercely protect. They refuse to take on a greater case load than they can adequately service. Nor will they accept conflicting assignments.
"If I'm already involved in a search for a chief financial officer, I can't begin a CFO search for another client. And we tell them so," Shervey emphasizes.
Corporate leaders who need help filling holes within their senior management ranks are urged to get in touch with either Brent or Robert immediately. Telephone the Calgary office at 403.237.6603 or email the principals directly at bshervey@boyden.com or rtravis@boyden.com.
