Publications
Publications
- January 2018
- HBS Case Collection
Peak Games: Hiring Priorities in Times of Rapid Growth (A)
By: William R. Kerr and Gamze Yucaoglu
Abstract
Sidar Şahin, founder and CEO of Peak Games, a Turkey-based global mobile gaming company, must decide on the final list of candidates for the critical global marketing director position the company has been trying to fill for over a year. Since its founding in 2010, Peak Games has grown to become Europe’s third biggest grossing online gaming company, and its mobile games have made a name for themselves internationally. Şahin’s team has grown to 100 people, almost all of whom reside in the same office in Istanbul, Turkey.
As Peak’s games reached an audience of over 350 million users worldwide, the recruitment needs and criteria also changed. Şahin needed more internationally experienced talent in the company. Yet, this was not an easy background to acquire in Turkey, and Şahin valued that team members shared the office to meld into the company culture. Throughout the year, the company’s HR director has used multiple search channels and interviewed various candidates. In April 2017, having received a short list of candidates, none of whom looked like the “perfect fit” at an initial glance, Şahin is set on reaching a decision on the position.
As Peak’s games reached an audience of over 350 million users worldwide, the recruitment needs and criteria also changed. Şahin needed more internationally experienced talent in the company. Yet, this was not an easy background to acquire in Turkey, and Şahin valued that team members shared the office to meld into the company culture. Throughout the year, the company’s HR director has used multiple search channels and interviewed various candidates. In April 2017, having received a short list of candidates, none of whom looked like the “perfect fit” at an initial glance, Şahin is set on reaching a decision on the position.
Keywords
Recruiting; Staffing; Emergent Countries; Entrepreneurial Management; Private Sector; Business Strategy; Decision; Growth Management; Games, Gaming, and Gambling; Selection and Staffing; Talent and Talent Management; Business Model; Growth and Development Strategy; Competitive Advantage; Value Creation; Organizational Culture; Decision Choices and Conditions; Technology Industry; Turkey
Citation
Kerr, William R., and Gamze Yucaoglu. "Peak Games: Hiring Priorities in Times of Rapid Growth (A)." Harvard Business School Case 818-083, January 2018.