Maximize Your AESC Membership

Maximizing Your AESC Membership Your AESC Membership Get maximum value from your AESC membership and differentiate your firm.

AESC membership provides a cadre of services and benefits that have proven value in promoting retained executive search firms across the globe. Membership will help your firm attract and serve clients and foster the growth of professionalism and talent of your teams. It is our pleasure to provide you with the following overview of AESC membership benefits.

What’s Inside: >> Summary

• 10 Ways To Maximize your AESC Membership

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>> Benefits for Your Firm • Differentiation Through AESC Membership 3 • AESC Industry Standards Documents 3 • Online Member Directory 4 • Public Relations and Social Media 5 • Membership Perks & Discounts 6 • BlueSteps Executive Career Services 7 • BlueSteps Database 8 • Refer Candidates to BlueSteps 9 • AESC Events 10 • AESC Campus & Professional Development 11 • Member Publications 12 • Research & Reports 13 • AESC Contacts 14

www.aesc.org

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10 Ways to Maximize your AESC Membership 1 AESC Member Directory

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Network With Your Peers

2 Promote your Firm on the AESC Website

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Member Perks & Discounts

3 The AESC “Seal of Quality”

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Refer Clients to CorporateConnect

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AESC Professional Development & Certification

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Stay Up-to-Date on Industry Trends

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AESC Professional Practice Guidelines

Be visible to potential clients by keeping your firm and personal profiles updated and as specific as possible.

The member directory is accessed by clients via the CorporateConnect website and is searchable by region, industry and functional speciality.

Submit information about your firm’s recent searches, new offices, new consultants and research to the AESC. We guarantee promotion of your announcements on our website, in our bi-weekly SearchWire newsletter, and in our LinkedIn and Twitter feeds. Submit your news to marketing@aesc.org.

Display the AESC logo and web link on your homepage, company stationary, social media, and email signature to help increase brand awareness and raise your firm’s profile in the client and candidate communities. Logos are available for download in the ‘About the Association’ section of the member website: https://members.aesc.org.

AESC Campus offers time-efficient and cost-effective development and certification programs for search professionals of all levels. Visit the ‘Professional Development’ section of the member website for more information.

Professionally printed folders are customizable and include the AESC industry standards documents.

Translations of these documents are available in French, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and Portuguese. Go to the ‘Industry Standards’ section of the member website to learn more.

www.aesc.org

Attend AESC events in your region to network with your peers and exchange observations on industry trends.

Events include global summits and conferences as well as regional meetings and forums. Visit the ‘Upcoming Events’ section of the member website to learn more.

AESC members gain access to exclusive offers, trials and discounts from our strategic partners. Visit the ‘Partners & Resources’ section of the member website to learn more about these exclusive offers.

CorporateConnect, the AESC’s website for organizations using or planning to use executive search, communicates the value of retained search and the AESC message of ethical and professional practices. For more information visit www.executivesearchconnect.com.

The AESC regularly produces industry reports such as the quarterly state of the industry and bi-annual outlook reports. Visit the ‘AESC Publications’ section of the member website or see page 12 for more information.

10 BlueSteps: AESC’s Exclusive Candidate Database

Search the BlueSteps database of over 65,000 highlyqualified candidates from all regions and industries.

Manage unsolicited CVs by referring candidates to BlueSteps, and pass along an exclusive 20% discount.

Access the BlueSteps database at the top right corner of the webpage after logging in to the member website. See page 8 to learn more.

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Differentiation Through AESC Membership AESC Branding With strict professional practice guidelines and a code of ethics as cornerstones of AESC membership, the AESC represents the “seal of quality” for the retained executive search consulting industry. Differentiate your firm by placing the AESC logo and description on your website, letter head, business cards, company stationary, LinkedIn and social media profiles, and email signatures. This will also help the AESC raise its profile and branding within the client and candidate communities, which will only further enhance the value of membership.

Please use the following paragraph on your website with an AESC logo and link to our website: The Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) represents the only recognized seal of quality for retained executive search consulting firms on a worldwide basis. AESC members subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and Professional Practice Guidelines affecting all aspects of executive search, including relationships with clients and candidates. Firms are admitted to membership following a comprehensive application process including references from clients and colleagues, site inspections and close analysis of documentation and working practices. [Search Firm] is proud to be a recognized member of the AESC. For more information, visit the AESC at www.aesc.org.

AESC Industry Standards Documents Professionally printed, co-branded copies of the following industry standards documents are available to give to clients and candidates. Co-branded documents can also be produced in PDF format for use on your website. Orders can be placed online in the ‘Industry Standards’ section of the website.

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Code of Ethics - AESC member firms are guided by the following ethical principles, which reflect fundamental values of the retained executive search consulting profession.

Professional Practice Guidelines - These industry guidelines describe the process and professional practices that contribute to outstanding client service in retained executive search consulting.

Client’s Bill of Rights - The AESC’s guide to a client’s rights and obligations during an executive search engagement.

Candidate’s Bill of Rights - The AESC’s guide for senior executive candidates on what to expect from an executive search firm.

Effective Reference and Background Checking - This descriptive document explains the reference and background checking process.

Logos and a video about the AESC and the history of the search industry can be downloaded from the ‘About the Association’ section of the members website at www.aesc.org. Industry Standards documents are also available on our website in an array of language translations.

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Online Member Directory Increase Your Visibility to Clients All AESC member firms and consultants have a profile in the AESC’s online member directory. Ensuring that your firm description and individual biography and functional / industry specialties are included on your profile is the key to gaining new business opportunities through the AESC. Clients of executive search use the directory via the AESC’s CorporateConnect website, www.executivesearchconnect.com.

Updating Your Personal Profile 1. Go to the AESC members website at http://members.aesc.org/eweb.

2. Log-in on the left side navigation menu.

• To request a password reminder, click the “forgot your password?” link to first verify if you have an existing account. Most AESC members already have an account in our system. If you do not have an account, please contact database@aesc.org.

• Firm or office level changes can be emailed to database@aesc.org.

3. After you have logged-in, your profile information will appear in an editable format. If this form does not appear, click on the ‘My Account’ button on the top right.

4. Be sure to update the following: • Professional biography • You can also upload a photo if you wish • Click on the “Edit/Add Industry or Functional Specialties” button to edit your Industry or Functional Specialties.

We recommend selecting only 3-4 specialties that are most applicable 5. When you are finished click “Save” on the bottom right.

SearchAlert Request for Proposal Tool The AESC offers clients the ability to submit a Request for Proposal through the CorporateConnect website (www.executivesearchconnect.com). Incoming RFPs are matched to AESC members who fit the requirements of the search, based on their profile in the member directory.

In 2011, the AESC referred over $3 million in new business opportunities to members through our RFP service. Keeping your firm and individual profiles up-to-date in our member directory is the best way to ensure you receive appropriate RFPs. What To Do If You Receive an RFP: We suggest that you follow up with the client within 1-2 business days to ask clarifying questions or simply to confirm receipt of the RFP. If you don’t think a particular RFP is right for you, you should still send a quick note to the client thanking them for the RFP. Please contact database@aesc.org with any questions on editing your profile or to set up a new profile.

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Public Relations & Social Media SearchWire The AESC’s SearchWire is the official industry newswire linking executive search professionals, employers and senior executives. SearchWire content is featured throughout the web on multiple platforms and networking groups and is also sent as a bi-monthly newsletter. SearchWire is distributed to 8,000+ retained executive search professionals, 2,000+ senior HR professionals and 1,500+ press and other recipients.

Enjoy daily updates by checking the SearchWire page of our website, subscribing to our RSS feed, joining us on LinkedIn or following us on Twitter.

Benefit from the exclusive opportunity to publish your announcements in SearchWire by sending us a steady stream of your firm’s latest news as it occurs.

Including: consultants hired, newly opened offices, recently launched or successfully completed searches, volunteer and community involvement, as well as original commentary that you or a colleague has written regarding the search industry or management issues. If your firm has a press list to which you send regular news, please add marketing@aesc.org.

Additional Resources LinkedIn Group

Connect with your AESC colleagues in our LinkedIn group, Executive Search Network - AESC/BlueSteps, to discuss important and challenging issues facing the executive search industry by posting your thoughts, opinions and responses on a variety of topics. The AESC also posts industry news, updates and announcements from AESC member firms to the LinkedIn group as well as other digital platforms. Submit your firm announcements and research to marketing@aesc.org.

Follow the AESC on Twitter

Follow the AESC on Twitter (@theAESC) to receive executive search industry news updates and AESC member firm announcements in real time. Member news, research, articles and announcements are posted daily to the AESC twitter profile and available for everyone to view.

Enhance your firm’s online social and digital presence through social media. If you or your firm has a twitter account, please follow us. Submit your news, research and announcements to marketing@aesc.org.

Subscribe to the AESC RSS Feed

Once the AESC receives a member’s announcement, it is published to the AESC website, and to the RSS (Real Simple Synidication) feed. AESC members and non-members can use the RSS feed tool to view all industry updates and announcements in a centralized location. You can subscribe to the RSS feed at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/aesc/searchwire.

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Membership Perks & Discounts Partnerships and Member Perks Partners of the AESC provide a wide range of products and services of value to executive search professionals. It is through these partnerships that the AESC is able to offer members exclusive benefits and discounts on a number of great products and services.

Our partners also support the AESC by participating in and underwriting a number of our events, publications and programs. We would be grateful if you would please consider their services when evaluating vendors.

Past Member Perks Have Included: 1. Discounts on employment background screening, drug and health screening and employment eligibility solutions 2. Discounts on advertising vacancies and online recruitment tools 3. Complimentary use of office space, business lounges and discounts on virtual office packages 4. Preferred pricing on video conferencing services 5. Discounts on recruitment software solutions For information on current Member Perks or our strategic partners, please visit the ‘Partners and Member Perks’ page of the members website.

Business School Partnerships AESC partners with 25 of the world’s leading business schools globally in an ever growing program. Our partner schools include Columbia Business School, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, INSEAD, London Business School and The Wharton School.

These partnerships offer our members many benefits including: • •

Building relationships between top tier schools and AESC members Adding high quality candidates to BlueSteps, the exclusive database of executive candidates for AESC members

As part of these partnerships AESC members regularly serve as panelists at live events and teleseminars for these leading schools.

If you are interested in being a panelist at a future event or would like to hear more about the AESC’s relationships with leading business schools, please contact epark@aesc.org.

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BlueSteps Executive Career Services Resume/CV Services to Help You and Your Candidates BlueSteps Executive Career Services BlueSteps works with a team of experienced executive career consultants, resume and personal brand experts and coaches. Our program is directed by a leading authority on executive career marketing and offers AESC member firms the confidence of knowing your candidates’ needs will be addressed by the best in breed. AESC members can tap into this rich resource easily and efficiently, simply contact BlueSteps at info@bluesteps.com or at +1 212-398-9556 x229.

Executive Resume Writing An in-depth consultation with one of our BECS resume writers will create a focused and accomplishment-rich document that communicates the candidate’s value in a way that is relevant to your client.

Resume Edit & Refresh Every resume needs to be refreshed. With a brief consultation and the sharp editing and formatting skills of our writers, BECS will position your candidates’ resumes for appropriate opportunities.

1.) Without Your Involvment: Simply refer your candidates directly to BlueSteps to discuss their specific needs. We will provide solutions, recommend options, and match each candidate with the right writer or career marketing expert. Candidates will pay directly for service, at the same rates offered to BlueSteps members.

2.) With Your Involvement: Your firm may wish to provide and pay for this service for top candidates. We’ll gladly include your input and recommendations into the process and can work from a menu of services and fees that we create and tailor specifically for you.

To discuss your needs and develop the solution that helps your candidates, improves your service to clients, and makes your job easier, simply contact BlueSteps at: info@bluesteps.com or +1 212-398-9556 x229.

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BlueSteps Database What is BlueSteps?

BlueSteps Members by Region

BlueSteps is an online database of over 65,000 senior executives across a wide variety of industries and functions worldwide. The database grows by about 600 new executives each month, and the average salary is approximately USD $250k.

Benefits for AESC Members: • Exclusive access to the BlueSteps database to identify qualified and informed executives to act as both sources and candidates for your searches.

• Leading search capability using latent semantic analysis to compare and match resumes/CVs and other documents to your job description.

• If you post executive opportunities on your website, we will repost them within the opportunities section on BlueSteps with a link back to your site. If you don’t post opportunities publically, you may email them to info@bluesteps.com to be posted securely within BlueSteps.

Benefits for Executives: • BlueSteps offers a unique connection to the world of executive search and exposure to over 8,000 search professionals around the world.

• Members receive a career-long profile in the database as well as a plethora of career management tools including a free resume/CV review, career consultation, access to the AESC member directory, expert career webinars, and online branding tools.

• Access to highly qualified and experienced resume/ CV writers and career coaches, as well as other experts.

Access the BlueSteps Database by logging in to http://members.aesc.org, and clicking on the ‘BlueSteps Database’ button in the upper right corner of the web page.

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Refer Candidates to BlueSteps Use BlueSteps in Your Response to Unsolicited Resumes/CVs We encourage you to promote BlueSteps when responding to executives who submit unsolicited resumes/CVs to your firm by referring them to www.BlueSteps.com. Referred candidates can receive an exclusive discount of 20% on their BlueSteps membership.

Refer Candidates to BlueSteps • Refer executives to BlueSteps as a way to respond to unsolicited resumes/CVs, providing practical advice and goodwill toward you and your firm.

• Offer executives an exclusive 20% discount on BlueSteps membership by passing along promotional code Executive20%.

• Order copies of the book “Executive Search and Your Career - The BlueSteps Guide to Career Management” to give to candidates to educate them on the search process. Email info@bluesteps.com to place an order.

• Referring candidates to BlueSteps also helps build the database and provide financial support to your professional association.

Success Stories: AESC members: “...we got some world-class international finalists [from BlueSteps]. We are very positive about its value and eagerly recommend it to our best candidates.”

“I just did a search for a CFO in New York City and found two of the final four candidates through BlueSteps.”

BlueSteps members: “Keep up the good work! BlueSteps is a unique and valuable tool to those seeking a new position or career opportunity.”

“I am a member of BlueSteps, which has helped me to meet and talk with several AESC member consultants.”

For more information: The AESC holds regular BlueSteps overview sessions to ensure that you and your research team are getting the most of the BlueSteps database. For questions on account set-up or upcoming training sessions email: info@bluesteps.com.

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AESC Events Annual Conferences Every year the AESC hosts two major conferences, an autumn conference in Europe and a spring conference in the Americas.

The conference programs feature distinguished academics, authors, top executives and industry authorities. For more information on the annual conferences, please visit the ‘Meetings and Events’ section of the member website.

Regional Meetings The AESC holds regional meetings each year in various cities throughout the world with speakers, panel discussions and networking opportunities. To view upcoming regional meetings please visit the ‘Meetings and Events’ section of the member website.

The Researchers and Associates Summit The annual AESC Researchers & Associates Summit brings together professionals from across the world that work in areas of search carrying out tasks such as name generation, organizational mapping, telephone outreach and candidate qualification. The Summits provide training and information in a noncompetitive and independent environment. To view upcoming Summits, please visit the ‘Meetings and Events’ section of the AESC member website.

Boutique and Network Firm Forums The AESC provides a lively, interactive forum for boutique and network firms at least twice a year. Discussions are largely driven by the interests of the group. Issues discussed during previous forums include succession planning, developing talent, business models, the competitive landscape, current challenges and best practices.

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AESC Campus & Professional Development Training and Education AESC Campus is an education and training resource for executive search professionals of all levels. Campus offers a certified Researcher/Associate Program as well as Online Courses, Expert Forums and View from the Top teleseminars.

Online Courses

Campus online training courses are available 24 hours a day on the AESC website. Listed below is a sample of the courses currently offered. All courses can be taken individually or as part of the AESC Researcher Certification.

Effective Interviewing Executive Compensation

Creating A Search Strategy Name Generation

Expert Forums

Expert forums are training sessions held via teleseminar and conducted by an accomplished trainer. These forums are designed to highlight more complex issues that researchers and associates face when seeking qualified candidates.

Current forum topics include:

Getting Past The Gatekeeper Qualifying Candidates Over the Phone

AESC Researcher/Associate Certification The AESC Certified Researcher/Associate (CRA) qualification provides a way for Researchers and Associates to acquire, maintain and develop their level of skills, ethics and professionalism in executive search. The certification provides an objective standard for determining the quality of a Researcher or Associate.

The specially designed curriculum provides an in-depth training program that covers the full spectrum of search skills, including sourcing, pitching and qualifying, and is a way for those newer to search to develop expertise.

AESC’s - View from the Top

‘View from the Top’ is a series of interactive audio seminars aimed at a global professional audience. The seminars are led by industry experts, academics and consultants who discuss key topics and issues impacting top management, recruitment, leadership and talent management. Regional business markets are also discussed.

For a current list and scheduling information for training courses, expert forums and View from the Top seminars, please visit the ‘Professional Development’ section of the AESC member website.

For questions on Campus courses, professional development and certification please contact campus@aesc.org. www.aesc.org

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Member Publications AESC Newsletters and Publications

SearchWire SearchWire is both a dynamic newsfeed updated daily on the AESC website, and a bi-weekly e-mail newsletter. The publication and feed consolidate top stories in the executive search industry including: member announcements, research and reports and AESC press and surveys. AESC members are encouraged to submit their announcements for inclusion in SearchWire by emailing them to marketing@aesc.org.

Researchers’ Forum A monthly newsletter for Researchers and Associates featuring the latest search tools and breaking news in the researcher community.

Each month the Forum focuses on industry trends, emerging research tools and resources, and the industry news. If you have a topic that you would like featured in the Researchers’ Forum please send it to campus@aesc.org.

President’s Letters A monthly letter to search consultants from AESC President Peter Felix. This letter is available exclusively to AESC member search consultants and CEOs of member firms. The letter addresses high-level topics and issues including executive search industry trends, challenges and opportunities, and standards for professional and ethical practice.

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Research and Reports Executive Search In Transition A strategic study of the executive search profession published by the Association of Executive Search Consultants in 2010.

Quarterly State of the Industry Reports Quarterly reports of search industry trends including information on the number of searches started and a breakdown by geography and industry.

The quarterly State of the Industry Reports are available exclusively to AESC members.

Annual Member Outlook Reports Semi-annual reports showing the 6-month forecast of AESC member search consultants around the world.

BlueSteps Executive Mobility Reports Bi-annual surveys of senior executives around the world on the topic of mobility and the factors that go into an executive’s decision to change careers.

Human Resources and Talent Management Reports The AESC frequently surveys HR and Line Managers around the world on their experiences with senior executive recruitment and their use of retained executive search.

BlueSteps Work / Life Balance Reports Bi-annual surveys of senior executives around the world to gain feedback on the importance and development of work-life balance issues.

All AESC reports can be downloaded from the members website under the ‘AESC Publications’ section. www.aesc.org

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AESC Contacts We encourage you to take full advantage of your AESC membership in order to differentiate your firm and to develop new business opportunities. If you have future inquiries, comments or would like to order AESC and BlueSteps marketing materials, please contact the AESC marketing team at marketing@aesc.org.

For all other inquiries please contact the AESC Managing Director for your region.

Asia Pacific & Emerging Markets: Christine Hayward Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Emerging Markets and Campus Programs chayward@aesc.org +1 212 398 9556 x 234

Americas: Brian Glade Managing Director, Global Strategy and the Americas bglade@aesc.org +1 212 398 9556 x 226

Europe: Christophe de Callatay Managing Director, Europe cdecallatay@aesc.org +32 2 627 05 42

www.aesc.org

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