Nov 3 2012

Review: EMEA Meeting 2012

AIMS International, a worldwide operating Executive Search firm, organized one of its international client and partner meetings on November 2nd and 3rd 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in Düsseldorf. 65 people from around the globe attended to exchange experiences on challenging topics. In addition to the partners and executives of AIMS International from the EMEA region, Partners from the USA, Brazil, Japan, China and Australia also participated.

Bruno Meduri, Global HR Business Partner PUR P & T of Bayer Material Science AG, opened the event with a presentation on the new challenges global corporations need to address for what is now called the ‘digital generation’, the digital natives. Their demands on work-life balance, a high degree of freedom, mobility, a broad portfolio of tasks and flat hierarchies, need to be addressed and implemented in both the organizational structure as well as its compensation model, if the company wants to use and maintain the skills of these employees. Additional complexity arises from regional differences, shown by the fundamentally different requirements in the Asian and European region.

Dr. Stephan Schulmeister participated in the meeting as key-note speaker. The Austrian economist is a past Member of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) and is a well-known speaker in Europe, presented a medium-term prognosis for the financial markets and international trade globally.

His presentation about the positive effects of several years of predictably price control of raw oil price started a lively discussion about the consequences this could have for the real economy, research and development projects and speculators s on the financial markets.

About AIMS International: founded 20 years ago by five European Executive Search firms, the organization has developed into a global partnership with more than 90 offices in over 50 countries.

“It is an important factor, says Christian Schulte, International Business Development Manager of AIMS International, the structure of any search organization meets’ important needs of the changing global market: a company that wants to develop additional international locations and to expand into developing regions, evaluates executive search firms as valuable partners who they can trust to find, assess and close the best talent in the target market. These companies need partners who can offer similar services with the same quality on a global level and the same processes which are flexible enough to be adapted to the local needs.”

Participating companies included 3M, Bayer Material Science AG, Areva, Denso Automotive, Tyco Pentair, Illinois Tool Works, Metso Corporation, and AIMS International partners.

Rolf Heeb, President of AIMS International, reported the exchange of experience among clients and AIMS International Partners brought interesting new ideas. “We all benefited from the experience of our colleagues. It is always important for organizations to share with other experts whether the solutions they have created for the now growing generation of managers are working in attracting and retaining talent.”

The Media Harbour Düsseldorf with its perfect logistical framework has proved to be an ideal center for this international event. Besides the discussions during the meeting the social part was fun, as the internationally known cartoonist Sascha Cherniajev was a guest, and drew each participant’s caricature.

By Christian Schulte • International News •

Oct 24 2012

Automotive News in Europe

AIMS International EMEA Team Leader Automotive Ralf Schotten points at the following articles with interesting stories about the Automotive industry.

Ralf Schotten has more than 15 years of experience in the executive search business and has conducted many searches for companies in the complete range from large clients like Volkswagen or Federal Mogul to small clients like OKE Automotive.

From http://www.autonews.com/:

BMW plans $261 million plant to tap Brazil’s growing market

Europe price war ramps up automaker tensions

Don’t mess with Bo
Fearless former GM purchasing czar battles corruption, revives Russia’s GAZ

By Christian Schulte • International News •

Oct 16 2012

Change Management Results

October 16th, 2012 – Vienna, Austria – Judit Simonyi, EVP AIMS International EMEA and MD AIMS Hungary, was interviewed about her view on the results of Change Management processes in Hungary, by Piac és Profit Kiadó Kft., a company which is based in Budapest, Hungary, and publishes the magazine Market and Profit.

According to the results of surveys, 70% of change efforts are failures. The consequences are the following: low performance, bad mood, unreached expectations, wasted money, wasted time and fluctuation.

Market & Profit: Since 2008 SMEs (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) in Hungary have continuously been forced to change direction in order that they can survive. We have already put up with continual re-planning but how can we do this with the minimum possible loss?

It is the HR field where SMEs have substantial margins to still develop if they utilised their existing resources more efficiently – says Judit Simonyi, Managing Partner of AIMS International Hungary. Of course, the employees of the company should be aligned to reach this. One of the most important conditions of successful change management is conscious personnel who can accept that their tasks are not only to perform their daily routine, but also to develop their knowledge and skills and to change their attitude progressively in the interest of the company. Of course, it is the owner of the company, or the Managing Director, who delegates the tasks and sets the strategy. Nevertheless, the employees should also make a contribution.

Market & Profit: Still, it is said that the main obstacle of re-planning is the instinctive counter resistance of the employees against all changes. What can be done in order to overcome this?

There are various kinds of Change Management training for SMEs. However, I consider primary communication even more important, when we tell the employees why the change is necessary, what the goal is and what steps are necessary to be taken. This way, we can alleviate any change-related fears. The leader of the organisation knows how particular members of the team can be convinced, and in which phase they should be involved. There are also Development Centers where the skills of an existing team/organisation can be assessed. It’s important for the leader to win the support and cooperation of the others.

Market & Profit: Is there a general recipe of how to adapt to changes?

No. However the owner, the leader of the organisation is the key person. He/she should recognise the altered circumstances, should have the ability to adapt to them and be open to new ideas. It is also important to know modern leadership theories. The extent of change of the basic tasks and processes depends on the branch of the industry in question, as well as on the circumstances. E.g. in the market of executive search the use of the internet and social media has brought enormous upheaval. Some years ago, the data bank had a much bigger value than today. Each consultant has to find out what the added value is for which the clients are willing to pay.

Market & Profit: In the case of small companies one of the most important aspects is cost management: is it worth paying for skills assessment, crisis management and training? What’s the expected return on investment?

We should consider that all changes involve a certain set-back on a shorter or longer term. However, this should be minimised. Wasted time and loss of revenue are expenses both for small and big companies. Despite the best intentions, in many cases the owners cannot realise their goals because they do not have the necessary skills, knowledge or have not assessed the situation properly. There are also employees who are not prepared to cooperate fully in the team because they have got tired of adapting to continuous changes. Nevertheless, the market will not operate with the same conditions as before. The onus is always on the owner of a company to adapt and to develop. It is not the increase but the development which really counts.

Corporate Communications

Christian Schulte +49 178 2854744

About AIMS International (www.aims-international.net)

Incorporated in Vienna, Austria in 1992, AIMS International is an international executive search organization of independently owned and managed executive search firms who work collaboratively to execute executive search assignment for global clients around the world. AIMS INternational is represented by over 350 consultants in more than 90 offices in over 50 countries throughout all continents. It was ranked the largest executive search partnership in the world by Search-Consult Magazine.

For more information, please visit www.aims-international.net.

By Christian Schulte • International News •

Oct 9 2012

Study: Efficient competencies for Board Members – complete

By Christian Schulte • International News •

Sep 20 2012

Study: Efficient competencies for Board Members – 3

September 20th, 2012 – Vienna, Austria – AIMS International has launched the first issue of its international study about the most efficient competencies for Board Members.

Part one and two of the Executive Summary dealt with the importance and signals of the Sense of Ethics, Strategic Thinking, Commitment and Sense of Responsibility, Judgment. Find hereafter the Executive Summary – Part III.

Executive Summary – Part III

The fith behavior in importance is Communication. A director must say what he thinks, feels and believes in a transparent manner. Questions that he asks must be of quality. A director who expresses his ideas with a structured thinking process adopts a desired behavior. Having good content when making a comment is a desired communication behavior. This is the best tool to influence other directors. On the opposite, being eloquent with a meaningless message is an undesired behavior. It leads to a loss of credibility with other members.

Active listening and having an open mind are two best behaviors that the respondents are seeking from a director. It allows for everyone to express their ideas without being judged. It also allows the other directors to see things differently. Many directors mentioned that learning new ideas is one of the main reason they are motivated to be on a board, even if they are at the end of their career.

DEFINITION (COMMUNICATION): ABLE TO SHARE HIS VIEWS WITH CLARITY BY PROMOTING THE COLLABORATION OF OTHERS. USES SPECIFIC WORDS TO SIMPLIFY A COMPLEX THOUGHT.

EVALUATION IN %:

Last but not least amongst the desired competencies: Team Intelligence

Directors are seeking respect from other directors on the board. In fact, a Chairman prefers that each director refrains from socializing with (i.e. outing activities with spouses) in order to preserve their independence of mind. They do not want anyone to be influenced to hold back on their opinion, because they are forging a personal friendship. The desired behavior is to have individuals who will test the opinions openly and create a clash of ideas. Too many familiarities can interfere in these circumstances.

What is crucial for the Board to work well is to have diversity and a full exchange. Some even admit that the debates and disagreements in a Board setting motivate them to stay. One can always disagree and it must be done in a respectful manner. If a Board member is too emotional or wrapped up in his opinion, then he will demonstrate undesired behavior. It is also negative for a director to use his reputation (i.e. CEO of a large corporation) to influence the Board or even bully another Board director.

DEFINITION (TEAM INTELLIGENCE): FOCUSES ON COMMON GOALS, PRIORITIES AND PROBLEMS THROUGH ACTIVE LISTENING BY FOCUSING ON TEAMWORK. SEEKS TO ESTABLISH TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS. RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPLEMENTARY SKILLS BETWEEN BOARD DIRECTORS.

EVALUATION IN %:

Corporate Communications

Christian Schulte +49 178 2854744

About AIMS International (www.aims-international.net)

Incorporated in Vienna, Austria in 1992, AIMS International is an international executive search organization of independently owned and managed executive search firms who work collaboratively to execute executive search assignment for global clients around the world. AIMS International is represented by over 350 consultants in more than 90 offices in over 50 countries throughout all continents. It was ranked the largest executive search partnership in the world by Search-Consult Magazine.

For more information, please visit www.aims-international.net.

By Christian Schulte • International News •