Why the Org Chart Matters More Than the Tech Stack Boards and CEOs at the largest technology companies are now being forced to ask, after the fact, who is accountable when an AI infrastructure bet does not deliver. Oracle found out the hard way when its credit rating dropped and a Wisconsin data center suddenly […]
The AI Infrastructure Trap
Why the Companies That Bet Biggest on AI Infrastructure Strategy Are Struggling Most In 2025, Oracle signed a $300 billion computing contract with OpenAI, positioning itself as a primary infrastructure provider for the next phase of artificial intelligence. To fund the buildout, the company cut approximately 21,000 employees, roughly 13% of its workforce. The bet […]
Should You Trust AI to Evaluate Executive Talent? (And Where It Breaks)
AI executive hiring is no longer an experiment. Whether it is working as intended, and whether it can be trusted at the level of a C-suite decision, are three very different questions. A CEO in San Francisco recently made news for feeding every job interview transcript into ChatGPT before making a final hiring decision. He […]
How to Hire an Executive Who Actually Understands AI
How to hire an AI-fluent executive is a question every CEO and CHRO is asking and almost no one is answering it well. Every week, another board adds “AI fluency” to its executive hiring criteria. Every week, candidates arrive with polished answers about transformation, automation, and competitive advantage. And every week, hiring teams walk away […]
Beyond the AI Hype
What SMB Leaders Actually Need to Know About Hiring for AI Transformation Some years back, I was speaking with a senior marketing executive at a well-known agency during the height of the “app revolution.” Every client walked through their doors with the same demand: “We need an app.” His response never varied: “Why?” The silence […]
Executive Hiring Trends 2025: Strategic Selectivity Wins
In the ever-evolving landscape of executive recruitment, understanding the subtle shifts in the labor market is critical for advising clients and shaping talent acquisition strategy. Recent data indicate that while white-collar vacancies are up year-over-year, hiring growth has plateaued. This selective growth mindset signals a new reality for organizations: the roles they choose to fill […]
Two Americas
Executive Compensation and the Disappearing Middle in the Current Economic Landscape The stark contrasts emerging from this week’s economic data tell a troubling story about leadership accountability and the growing divide between executive rewards and workforce reality. As C-suite leaders, we must confront an uncomfortable truth: while we debate compensation packages worth tens of billions, […]
The Rise of Outcome Based Executive Engagements
Are Traditional Time-Based Leadership Roles Becoming Obsolete? The executive search landscape is experiencing a fundamental shift that’s challenging decades of conventional wisdom about C-suite hiring. Organizations are increasingly moving away from traditional “hire and hope” executive appointments toward outcome-based engagements that tie leadership success to specific, measurable deliverables. This transformation represents more than just a […]
Embracing the Future of Productivity
Top Trends for Leaders to Boost Workplace Productivity in 2025 As we venture into 2025, several trends are poised to increase productivity in the workplace. With a strong emphasis on productivity, team culture, and inclusiveness, these trends promise a brighter and more efficient future for workers worldwide. Let’s explore four key areas that are shaping […]
Now What? Strategic planning for 2025
The re-election of Donald Trump to the Presidency of the United States is an historic event that will reshape the American and World economy in unexpected ways. With the House and Senate in control of the Republican party, American economic policy will look far different than during the Biden administration. While no one is entirely […]