What We Do For Researchers

Executive recruiting researchers and sourcers are a critical ingredient in every executive search project. We've expanded on our 26 years in the executive search industry to include a deep understanding of recruiting research. As former heads of research at large global firms and as builders of research functions within smaller firms we have always highlighted the value of recruiting researchers and their contributions to every successful search project. As frequent users of independent research for a variety of projects we've created tools and services that contribute to the overall success of the independent researcher community.

Helping You By Introducing You to Those in Need of Research

Our Exchange Hub, highlighted throughout this website and described in greater detail here, was created for the single purpose of bringing more business to the independent researcher community. Membership in the community is free to independent research professionals and costs just $60 for recruiters and hiring executives to join. The site is designed to allow those in need of information and services to post to the community and find qualified researchers through the member directory. While Prospect City assists executive recruiters and hiring executives in their efforts to engage with researchers, we do not ask for any financial renumeration as a result of a successful engagement. In fact, we connect researchers to those in need of research, allow them to build and continue a relationship off site, and simply hope both parties consider us helpful contributors.

Creating the Tools and Services to Help You Compete

Prospect City continues to offer innovative tools and services to help independent researchers and sourcers, including pooled discounts for Interneet tools such as Hoovers, Zoominfo, OneSOurce and more. Our ability to apply bulk authority to ensure shared access and heavy discounts gives independent researchers a position of strength when accessing tools more affordable to large firms.

In addition to Internet tools, Prospect City offers the Velvet Search Management System, an online database branded exclusively for your business and available through any browser with Internet access. Velvet is available for access within 24 hours and allows for unlimited storage of documents, all of which are text searchable.

For independent researchers the tool is offered with a 50% discount off the initial setup fee (normally $1,000) and requires only a monthly subscription fee based on the number of non-support users.

Pipelining Delivery Vehicle
Based on our concept for executive pipelining, our Velvet system (being completely customizable) is adaptable to serve as an organizational tool and deliverer of pooled executive candidates in support of filled and vacant positions. In addition the tool can be used to organize pools of internal candidates and external candidates for the purposes of succession planning.

Because of the speed of implementation, a new Velvet sytem can be createed for each client company and accessed immediately by relevant parties. It is Internet-based and fully hosted, so access is granted regardless of location and there are no internal technical requirements. Each site can be branded for your firm or for your client.

The New Concept for Researchers
Pipelining is a service researchers can perform for client executives who actively participate in the final assessment of candidates. Researchers can scan the talent market for individuals applicable to a role and feed the pipeline. Velvet can notify your clients of pending candidates and new introductions. In addition it facilitates the communication among users necessary to direct teams of researchers to alter or shift strategy.

Hiring Solution for Your Clients
In our experience, pipelining has had a significant impact accroding to our clients. By charging a monthly retainer for ongoing support of up to three active roles at a time, our team has helped clients lower cost per hire by 75%. In one case, a global corporation saw its executive recruitment fees (per hire) reduced from $80,000 to just $14,000 in its second year. We recommend a low monthly retainer and a flat success fee for each hire, used as incentive for the researcher team.

With a dedicated Velvet system in place, clients can manage positions in the database and view pipelines of applicable executives generated by researchers. The intelligence gathered and continuously improved during the process adds signnificant value beyond the traditional transaction of recruitment. Additional data such as competitor compensation, time-to-hire issues and dynamic talent market conditions all add significant value to the solution.

Actionable Introductions and Intelligence
In addition to successful hires, our clients are often introduced to applicable talent addressing a number of peripheral needs. Executives are introduced for a number of reasons, some of which may not lead to a hire, but instead lead to an expanded relationship. For example, one client in pursuit of a new President, was introduced to peripheral individuals who were later hired for newly created roles. In one case the company formed a partnership with a non-competitive company to improve its products based on knowledge-sharing and innovation.

Private Equity Firms
For private equity firms, the pipelining solution is particularly relevant. PE firms are always working to identify industry talent, prospective deal-makers and portfolio company partners. This solution offers a dynamic pool of executives created and tracked as a result of the PE firm's direction. For example, one firm sought to identify the best CFOs within the Health Care industry, particularly with medical device manufacturers. Through the efforts of researchers the firm was able to build a pool, introduce themselves and build long-lasting relationships with top executives for immediate and future needs.

Please contact us for more information or to view a live demonstration of the highly flexible, adaptive Velvet Search Management System.