ghSMART has conducted over 23,000 SmartAssessments®. The method is anchored in the definition of a Scorecard and subsequent deep-dive interview. The robust fact-base and longitudinal patterns of successes, failures, work styles and motivations provide a highly reliable and data-driven assessment of expected performance and potential. This basis allows us to assess both external hires and internal promotes with a 90%+ accuracy.
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- Case Study
We invite you to learn about some of the real work we’ve done with select clients.
Leadership Selection
Driving holistic CEO selection process to ensure company growth
Situation & challenge
- Our client needed to replace a retiring CEO/founder in a niche professional services firm
- The company provides custom technology solutions to a highly specialized and differentiated client base
- The client turned to ghSMART for assistance in:
- Defining the unique operational, cultural, and customer management aspects of this organization
- Determining their implications for identifying the next CEO
- Creating a smooth transition, continuing growth without losing current clients
Scope of work
- ghSMART conducted a PWR study, a cultural assessment, and interviews with a number of both senior and mid-level leaders within the organization
- We captured a comprehensive view of the strengths and opportunities: the organization’s strategies, structure, formal and informal decision-making processes, key influencers, ability to attract top performers, etc.
- From that, we co-created a detailed Scorecard for the CEO role
- We evaluated two finalist CEO candidates using our SmartAssessment®
- That enabled us to make a clear hiring recommendation that the client followed.
- We also provided onboarding support for the CEO (including 360-degree SmartFeedback®) during his first year as CEO
Impact and results
- The client followed ghSMART recommendations and successfully hired the previously underestimated candidate
- The new CEO successfully retained 100% of executives desired to remain on the new leadership team
- Together, they restructured the organization to reduce both the sales and delivery “silos” that had developed given the unique market niches it served, creating additional cross-selling opportunities
- Over five years, revenue tripled as EBITDA quadrupled, the client base was expanded, and new markets were entered
- Our client exited their ownership at a multiple above their original pro-forma expectations
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