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Global headhunters rally in Cape Town

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:49

Over 50 top global headhunters will gather at the AIMS International Annual Conference to be held in Cape Town in September 2008. AIMS International South Africa is proudly hosting this prestigious event on the African continent for the very first time.

A highlight to the conference is a must-attend workshop on 12 September 2008, with guest speaker Mansoor Mohamed, Executive Director: Economic, Social Development and Tourism of the City of Cape Town, discussing “Xenophobia and what the City of Cape Town has done to welcome foreign skilled workers”.

The workshop will provide international headhunters, local corporate clientele and media with the opportunity to exchange cutting edge knowledge on prominent issues in the global and local search industry.

Tough challenges face employers and headhunters alike as worldwide skill shortages continue to prevail.

With African executives being lured away by attractive value propositions offered by our global counterparts, shouldn’t local corporates and headhunters be working together to retain our key resources and attract scarce skills? The “war for talent” is gaining momentum and to attract the best from a limited pool of top-end talent requires leadership with foresight.

According to Leonie Pentz, Business Unit Manager of AIMS International South Africa, the SA partner to one of the largest Executive Search networks globally, it’s a case of if you snooze, you literally lose.

“We are in a global skills crisis due to a combination of influences – baby boomers retiring, a different work ethic of generation X and Y, lack of knowledge transfer, leadership skills shortages, the global village and mobility of skills across borders to the highest international bidder. There is an exodus of our technical skills to New Zealand, Australia and the Middle East.”

The time has come for headhunters and clients to invest time and effort in their partnership to achieve retention and attraction - as a continent Africa has a lot to learn from the wider global community.

It is imperative for clients to fully understand their part in the process, John Poracky, Vice President of AIMS International and Partner of M. Wood Company (USA AIMS Partner), emphasises.

“Many new clients have a misconception of executive search. They are familiar with the big, traditional networks - recruiters who simply generate resumes, and their expectations are somewhat low. Our goal is getting them to understand the value of a consultative approach.”

Leonie highlights the must-have minimum standards that the headhunter and client should adhere to, stating that timely feedback is vital in securing the best within a skills short market. Judit Simonyi, MD of Simonyi & Tóth, an AIMS International Partner in Hungary, concurs “the speed of response as critical to successful search.”

“Access to decision makers and an open communication flow are crucial. The client must share all information, act upon feedback about the skills market and take or return calls from their headhunter immediately – timing is crucial in a skills short market!” says Leonie.

Clients and headhunters must realise that conventional, mediocre relationships are useless at top level. Shifting to a dynamic, fully interactive partnership is vital for successful outcomes in today’s international headhunting community.

The time has come for Africa to join its global counterparts, competing effectively for local and foreign talent and standing out as a continent with valuable opportunities.

AIMS International South Africa is delighted to invite local corporate clientele and journalists to join the global AIMS Partners for the half day workshop on the 12 September 2008 at the Commodore Hotel to gain insight into headhunting trends and issues from a South African and global perspective.

The event programme will feature stimulating talks followed by cocktails and the opportunity to network with foreign and local headhunters and business leaders.

13:30 Guests arrive; Coffee, tea and refreshments
14.00 Introduction and Welcome
14:15 Guest speaker – Mansoor Mohamed – “Xenophobia and what the City of Cape Town has done to welcome Foreign Skilled Workers”.
14:45 Coffee, tea and refreshments
15:15 Presentation by Rolf Heeb, President of AIMS International
15:45 Presentation by Leonie Pentz, AIMS South Africa – “How to Partner Effectively with your Headhunter”.
16:15 Cocktail reception

There are limited seats available - early booking is recommended. To book your place or for more information, contact Singi at AIMS International South Africa on 021 466 8951 or by email: singi@aims-southafrica.co.za