Publications
Publications
- April 2008 (Revised April 2009)
- HBS Case Collection
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
By: Robert G. Eccles and David Lane
Abstract
As CEO of leading executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles for the past 18 months, Kevin Kelly was pleased with his accomplishments so far but concerned about threats he perceived to Heidrick's position at the highest levels of the executive search business. In response, Kelly had begun making strategic investments in firms offering technology-based solutions, but had not yet made significant progress convincing Heidrick's search consultants about the significance of the threats, or the risks and opportunities being created by information technology and the Internet. The increased emphasis Kelly placed on building leadership consulting services was itself a big change. The case asks what levers Kelly can use, from culture to compensation, to make the challenges to Heidrick's traditional business model understood and how to implement the strategic initiatives he has launched.
Keywords
Business Model; Recruitment; Disruptive Innovation; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Culture; Competition; Competitive Strategy; Employment Industry; Service Industry
Citation
Eccles, Robert G., and David Lane. "Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 408-066, April 2008. (Revised April 2009.)