This article was written by Carolyn Brocherie whom I am honored to call friend. Be sure to stop by her website at www.executivesearchresearch.com.au. If she is not part of your linkedin network be sure and send her an invitation and tell her I sent  you.   Carolyn Brocherie, global executive search research,  Sydney, Australia. Carolyn@executivesearchresearch.com.au.  

Absolutely the best thing about executive search research, from my perspective, is the wonderful people I encounter during my searches.  I will never cease to be amazed and grateful for how very busy senior executives will go out of their way to assist me, a complete stranger, with my research.

After many years in corporate life, working primarily across AsiaPacific, I found myself looking for fresh fields and a new adventure, something which would combine my love of and abiding interest in people with my knowledge and experience of the business world, coupled with my insatiable curiosity.  Seems simple in retrospect, but I floundered for a while, not quite sure which was the correct path.  Until a close friend, a former partner of an international search firm, suggested I look at executive search research.

I dipped my toe in the water and spent some time as an employee, learning the ropes, until with the encouragement of my then employer I formed my own consultancy. And have never looked back!

Since going out on my own I have conducted global searches at senior executive/C suite level  in a variety of sectors, including financial services and investment banking,  property and construction and life sciences.

I love the ‘thrill of the chase’ and the challenge of getting past the gatekeepers, which can be very difficult at senior executive level. But most of all I love the initial approach call.  Some people can find what is virtually cold calling daunting, but I revel in it.  The hours are long, because I work across several international time zones, but that is small price to pay for the privilege of ‘meeting’ so many wonderful people around the globe, by virtue of a phone call.

Only recently I was wakened from a deep sleep around 2am

Sydney time.  I usually make a point of turning off my cell phone soon after midnight (and on again at 6am) but this time I forgot.   And had for some reason taken the phone into the bedroom with me rather than leaving it on the charger in the kitchen as I usually do.  The delightful man who woke me, calling from

Chicago, was “very impressed” that I was answering my cell at that time (so was I!)   He was also concerned that he might have woken me, saying  he was aware of the time difference but thought he would return my message and leave me a message in turn overnight, giving me his cell phone number so that I could call when convenient.

Naturally I told him, not a problem, got out of bed, and we proceeded to have a most interesting conversation.  He personally was not interested in the position I had on offer, but immediately referred me to someone else, in

London.   This person also was not interested for family reasons, but said, call so and so, he’s now in

Shanghai.  So I did, and struck pay dirt, all due to the initial kindness of the guy in

Chicago.

As I said, wonderful people.  Which is why I love executive search research.

I’d be delighted to hear from anybody who wishes to share their experiences in this space, and needless to say, from anyone who wishes to engage my services.