The Difference

Our Driving Principles

Our founding partner, Ed Sockwell, established our firm based on a simple idea: do the job right – the first time. Ed instilled in us a series of driving principles that guide each and every search we conduct…

Accuracy: Nobody’s perfect – but we’re about as close as you can get. In more than 200 searches during the last five years, the successful candidate was on our initial slate 94% of time.

Completion Rate: You can count on us. When we start a search, we follow through to the end. Our 97% completion rate is significantly higher than the industry norm.

Quality: We get it right…the first time. In well over 1,000 searches, we have redone only one percent of our searches. We don’t introduce a candidate until we’re convinced it’s the right match – for everyone.

Unparalleled Client Attention: The great thing about being a small firm is that we can pay close, personal attention to our clients. We assign two professionals to each engagement. Partners work on no more than five assignments at any given time; associates only three. That way we can focus on you and your search.

Commitment: If you’re not happy, we’re not happy. That’s why more than 70% of our business the last ten years has come from existing clients or their direct referrals. Yes, they’re that satisfied, because what we do works.

Diversity: Introducing diverse candidate slates is important to us and we look everywhere for qualified candidates – not just in the same old places. We take a fresh approach with each search, allowing our clients to meet diverse candidates. As a result, since 1993, approximately 20% of our successful candidates have been women or minorities.

Stick Rate: At the end of the day, accuracy, completion rate, personal attention and commitment don’t mean anything unless the successful candidate stays. Our candidates last. After three years in a position, 77% of our successful candidates are still on board.