Most people might consider themselves lucky to be approached by a headhunter one or twice a year. Not so if you’re an executive in the professional services sector, which is weathering a major talent shortage of experts on everything from accountancy to cybercrime.
A survey of 333 American senior executives working in the sector by Russell Reynolds found only 3% hadn’t been offered any external opportunities in the past year. Of the rest, 17% had received between one and three approaches and 27% between four and six. Almost a fifth of respondents had received a staggering 15 approaches or more.
The findings come as CEOs more broadly fret about succession planning amid rapid technological disruption and shifting age demographics that are shirking labor pools. Leaders questioned in a recent survey by non-profit peer group The Conference Board picked “developing next generation leaders” as their second-biggest concern behind a global recession.
The American Institute of CPAs are among industry bodies that have complained of a shortage of skilled labor. Government agencies and companies also are losing billions of dollars a year from cyberattacks, of which many remain ill-prepared to prevent or manage.
To attract high-caliber leaders, however, they may not have to pay top dollar.
According to the Russell Reynolds survey, respondents considered a more interesting and challenging role to be the most important factor when accepting a career move, ahead of clear career advancement opportunities and having a more senior title. Getting more money came last, at 11th place.
The survey also found that women are interviewing for jobs and accepting offers more than men, and executives aged over 40 are more likely to seek an “innovative culture” than younger peers while evaluating a new job opportunity.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
