Publications - Thought Leadership on Executive Issues

 

Non-Executive Director Research        Why does the strategic agenda remain elusive? Published May 2007 by Ernst & Young LLP      This is our third year of research into topics of interest to Non Executive Directors. We took the challenges prompted in the ‘50 under 50’ report and put them in front of a group of FTSE Non Executives. We wanted their candid perspectives on why these issues are important, or not. Two issues that were a concern last year continue to be front of mind: strategy and succession, particularly for Audit Committee Chairs.  Download a copy of this report     (1022K, 12 pages)        Fifty under Fifty: Views from Chairs of the Future Published December 2005 by Ernst & Young LLP      This year we decided to expand the point of view of the Chair - but in a refreshing and interesting way. By interviewing fifty Non-Executives who were 50 years old or younger we built a picture of what potential Chairs of the future see as their current and upcoming challenges. The enthusiasm that this group has for UK plc is encouraging, but they have a collective view that provides warning shots about the performance of boards over the next several years.  Download a copy of this report     (211K, 12 pages) Board Performance: Non-Executive Directors and their Contribution to Business Performance Published November 2004 by Ernst & Young LLP      The introduction of the Higgs Review recommendations into the Combined Code in November 2003 was intended to promote a higher contribution from Non-Executives. Twelve months on what are the challenges for the successful Non-Executive in this new environment and has anything actually changed as a result of the extensive consultation process that preceded it?  Download a copy of this report     (455K, 12 pages)

Boardroom Diversity Betty Thayer addressed the ICAEW’s 2005 Annual Non-Executive conference with a presentation entitled ‘Diversity’. She discussed the problems, challenges and issues surrounding increasing your Board diversity.  Download a copy of the presentation

Selecting Non-Executive Directors Betty Thayer addressed the ICSA’s Annual Conference 2005, speaking on ‘Non-Executives - The Selection and Induction Process’. Here she discusses best practice concerning the selection of Non-Executive Directors.  Download a copy of the presentation

Executive Grapevine Betty Thayer writes a monthly column on online recruitment.  January 2005 edition - Online Recruitment A Perspective on the Market  February 2005 edition - Why do HR and recruitment professionals increasingly view online recruitment as an indispensable activity?  March 2005 edition - Can you trust what job boards tell you about traffic and users?  May 2005 edition - Is your recruitment horizon global rather than local?  July 2005 edition - Online recruitment advertising increased 50% between 2003 and 2004. The UK market is now worth over £100m - no wonder it has the attention of the large community-based internet players  August 2005 edition - Consolidation within the online market is accelerating with both vertical and horizontal transactions  September 2005 edition - The online ad - a new media phenomenon  October 2005 edition - Recruiting Non-Executive Directors on the web - replacing the ‘old boy’ network  November 2005 edition - More executives are opting for a portfolio career - and using the internet to create a new life of work  December 2005 edition - Where has all the talent gone? Are we back in a seller’s market?  January 2006 edition - The forecast for 2006 - what is just over the horizon?  February 2006 edition - Talent management top of the agenda for FTSE Non-Executives  March 2006 edition - Is the internet working for you...or against you?  April 2006 edition - An award-winning way to protect your brand and reputation  May 2006 edition - The candidate experience - does your online application process attract or repel experienced candidates?  June 2006 edition - Online recruitment advertising - just 10 years to overtake print - what is next?  July 2006 edition - Top MBA candidates are in serious demand - do you get the best out of your MBA recruitment efforts?  August 2006 edition - What’s Hot and What’s Not?  September 2006 edition - The demand for Non-Executive Directors has never been higher - are you making the most of this growing market?  October 2006 edition - What do Microsoft, Barclays Bank, Morgan Stanley and Ernst & Young have in common?  November 2006 edition - The Charity Commission has paved the way for wider payment of Trustees which has the opportunity to transform who sits on charity boards and how board members are recruited.  December 2006 edition - Something brand new - MBA-Direct.com - to help you deal with an ever-increasing talent shortage. Do your sourcing methods need a boost?  January 2007 edition - London is the world’s largest financial centre. When will Dubai be #2? What are you doing about it?

Portfolio Working - Plural Careers Prove to Be a Singular Success A Survey by exec-appointments.com and IDDAS Portfolio careers are an increasingly important element of working life, particularly for senior executives who have reached the end of their permanent, corporate employment. Building a portfolio of Non-Executive directorships, becoming an interim director or developing an independent consultancy are among the alternatives for those for whom full retirement lacks appeal. Our first survey on portfolio careers, conducted in 2002, concluded that the mood among top earners in full-time employment was clearly changing. The demand for job satisfaction, flexibility and choice pointed to portfolio working as a viable and attractive alternative. The quest for fulfilment in life is clearly not limited by the need to earn more – in fact the willingness to sacrifice substantial income was remarkable.  See full survey

Portfolio Careers: High Earners Want More Out of Life A Research Paper by exec-appointments.com This report was commissioned by exec-appointments.com and details findings of qualitative and quantitative research with UK residents with income of £50K or more per annum. The object of the research was to gain insight and understanding into some of the issues associated with high-earners' views towards career progression and a portfolio career. These issues were subsequently quantified by collecting a larger sample.  See full paper

Finding The Right Non-Executive Betty Thayer, CEO, exec-appointments.com This paper provides a quick-guide to enable executive directors and recruiters to ask the right questions and use sensible processes for identifying and selecting a new non-executive director. The 8-step process described provides a comprehensive checklist ensuring that the all critical issues and dependent factors are taken into account.  See full paper

City to Cities - The Magazine for the Business Traveller Issue 17, Aug/Sep 2002 Betty Thayer, CEO, exec-appointments.com Betty Thayer discusses findings from research into portfolio careers with executives who earn more than £50k per annum.  See full paper