Washington, DC - May 27, 2004 - The Human Capital Institute (HCI), a not-for-profit think-tank and educator in talent acquisition and development strategies, and the Association for Executive Search Consultants (AESC), the premier worldwide professional association for retained search firms, have joined forces to offer their respective membership communities the benefits of extended information, education, resources and networking opportunities.
The agreement provides AESC member firms with unrestricted membership access to HCI’s research, education, tools and other benefits through 2005. Executive search is a critical strategic activity that requires deep market knowledge, mature consultative skills, and a high level of ethical professionalism. states Michael Foster, Chairman of HCI and author of the business bestseller Recruiting on the Web. AESC members embody these attributes, and are acknowledged leaders in their fields. We are looking forward to engaging these top search professionals in a coalition that includes CEO’s, Human Resources heads and Chief Talent Officers in a mission to define the knowledge-based, talent-driven corporation of tomorrow.
Executive search is front and center in the emerging knowledge economy, where value is increasingly driven by talent and other non-tangible capital. The competitive strength of companies, social organizations and countries is no longer strictly tied to physical assets or resources, but to the intellectual attributes of their knowledge workers. In fact, recent data indicates that for Standard and Poor 500 companies, only $1 of every $6 of market to book value represents financial or physical assets. The balance, of course, are intangible assets, among which human intellect, creativity, flexibility, execution, and the market’s perception of those talents, are key.
Top executives rely on their executive search partners to provide counsel and a global strategic view. Increasingly, that requires a broad knowledge of trends, technologies and new options in talent acquisition and deployment. says Peter Felix, President of AESC. Our agreement with HCI will provide our members with a continuing source of fresh new information, ideas and strategies that will strengthen their organizations and make them more valuable to their clients.
Under the agreement, AESC will also sponsor an HCI Learning Track, in which HCI experts will moderate a thought leadership panel, produce position papers, and offer web and local training to help employers select and maximize the efficiency of their partnerships with executive search firms.
Association for Executive Search Consultants and the Human Capital Institute Form Global Alliance
The agreement provides AESC member firms with unrestricted membership access to HCI’s research