Lean Sigma Executive Search Process - Avery Point Group

Avery Point Group
WHITEPAPER

The Avery Point Group
Let Us Lead You to Executive Talent SM

TM
Lean Sigma Search
Our Executive Search Value Stream Process

The Avery Point Group, Inc.
4555 Mansell Road - Suite 300
Alpharetta, Georgia
30022 USA

P: +1 (678) 585 - 9804
F: +1 (678) 585 - 9832

info@AveryPointGroup.com

The Avery Point Group  Six Sigma
 Lean Transformation
Let Us Lead You to Executive Talent SM  Operational Excellence
 Plant Management
 Operations Management
 Supply Chain Management
 Finance Management

Our Process: Lean Sigma Search TM The Avery Point Group
Overview
Avery Point Group – Executive Search Value Stream
The Avery Point Group is a global
executive search and recruiting firm that
Search Characterization Offer Execution &
assists companies in identifying, assessing
& Recruitment Execution Placement Follow-up
and recruiting mid-level management to

D M A I C
senior executive talent. Our firm leverages
its principals’ decades of executive
operations and staffing experience to
provide the highest quality executive
DEFINE MEASURE ANALYZE IMPROVE CONTROL search services.

Our firm provides functional expertise and
executive search focus in the areas of Six
Executive Search Value Stream: Overview Sigma, Lean, operational excellence, plant
management, operations management,
Search excellence starts with the sound foundation of a well-defined and consistent
supply chain management, and finance.
search methodology. Our Lean Sigma Search™ value stream process methodology
As executive recruiters our practice
incorporates a unique Lean Six Sigma approach to filling our clients’ staffing needs.
services a wide spectrum of industries,
spanning manufacturing, distribution and
An important foundation of Lean Six Sigma methodology is the concept of waste and
service-based companies.
defect elimination. Lean Six Sigma defines a defect in terms of meeting the
specifications, expectations and requirements of the customer. What is a defect with
Download our web brochure:
regard to the executive search process? Presenting unqualified candidates, candidates
Executive Search PDF Brochure
with missing skill sets and candidates who don’t fit the corporate culture and chemistry
of the client are just some examples of waste and defects that can result from a poor
Visit our Lean & Six Sigma Jobs Blog:
executive search process.
LeanSixSigmaJobs.blogspot.com
At The Avery Point Group we practice what we preach when it comes to Lean Six
Lean Sigma Talent Demand Trends:
Sigma. Our experience has shown us the importance of incorporating the voice of the
LeanSigmaTalent.com
client (VOC) at each critical phase in the value stream placement process. We take
great care in defining and characterizing the client’s critical to quality (CTQs)
requirements, up front, to ensure successful screening and placement of candidates,
Our Mission
thus avoiding waste and defects that can cost a client time, money, and worse yet, a
poor placement. The Avery Point Group's mission is to
assist our clients in defining their
Each phase of our Lean Sigma Search™ value stream process is designed to move leadership needs, then find, and deliver
the process along efficiently and effectively through our executive search value stream, those leaders essential to our clients’
thus enabling us to exceed our clients’ expectations and requirements. success. Our priority is to provide superior
service that exceeds our clients’
expectations and critical to quality (CTQ)
requirements.
CYCLE TIME PROCESS SCHEDULE
We create executive search strategies
D DEFINE WEEK 0 - 1 based on a client’s individual critical to
quality staffing needs. We leverage our
Lean Sigma Search™ value stream
M
10 WEEKS MEASURE WEEK 1 - 2 process, our broad industry knowledge
and our extensive database of contacts to
find candidates who are uniquely qualified
A ANALYZE WEEK 2 - 7 to fill our clients’ most critical mid-to senior-
level leadership roles.

I IMPROVE WEEK 7 - 9

C CONTROL WEEK 9 - 10

1


Lean Sigma Search TM: Define Phase How is Our Executive
Search Firm Different?
With our Lean Six Sigma approach,
experience and global perspective, we
& Recruitment Execution Placement Follow-up stand out from other executive search
firms and add significant value for our
D M A I C clients in their search for leadership talent.
Unlike other recruiting firms, we truly
speak the language of our clients and
DEFINE MEASURE ANALYZE IMPROVE CONTROL candidates.

Our Lean Sigma Approach
Voice of the Client Search excellence starts with the sound
foundation of a well defined and consistent
Just as with any customer-centric Lean Six Sigma value stream process, in order to
search methodology. Our Lean Sigma
provide quality service, the Define phase of our Lean Sigma Search™ methodology
Search™ process incorporates a unique
starts with the voice of the client (VOC). This is the first important step in our process
Lean Six Sigma approach to filling our
toward clearly defining the client’s critical to quality (CTQ) search requirements and sets
clients’ staffing needs. Each phase of our
the stage for the rest of the executive search value stream process.
executive search value stream process is
designed to eliminate waste in order to
Defining the Search CTQs (Go to Gemba)
move the search and recruiting process
By visiting our client’s site, we develop a thorough quantitative and qualitative profile of
along efficiently and effectively, thus
the client company, the hiring department, and the ideal candidate in order to best
enabling us to exceed our clients’
understand the client’s CTQs. As part of this process, we also focus on gaining a
expectations and requirements.
thorough understanding of the client’s business philosophy and culture, because studies
have shown that the ultimate success of a chosen candidate correlates strongly with
Our Experience
compatibility and chemistry, in addition to other hard skill factors. Our very targeted
With our team’s decades of operations
profiling questions are not only designed to identify the client’s CTQs, but also aid in our
experience, we are uniquely qualified to
understanding of their alignment down to the ideal candidate profile. This process
help our clients find, assess and recruit
greatly enhances our ability to deliver candidates better targeted to the client’s
leadership talent. Our key principals have
requirements.
held senior-level director, VP and Lean Six
Sigma positions in manufacturing,
Search Stakeholders
distribution and service-based Fortune 500
We prefer to work directly with the key stakeholders in the search process. These are
companies.
the hiring managers immediately involved in the hiring process. By working directly with
key stakeholders, we believe we can greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
Our principals are Six Sigma Master Black
our executive search value stream process.
Belt and Lean trained by globally
recognized industry leading companies
Search Deliverables and Goals and have real-world, practical experience
During the Define phase we work closely with the client to identify up front the project in their application. As subject matter
scope, milestones, deliverables, goals and fee agreements. During this phase we also experts in the recruiting of Lean, Six
define the roles and responsibilities of each party, ensuring smooth execution Sigma and operations talent, our firm has
throughout the search process. been featured in leading industry trade
magazines such as: Quality Progress,
Quality Digest and IndustryWeek.

DEFINE PHASE: Our Global Perspective
Schedule DELIVERABLES SUMMARY Our key principals have managed global
Week 0 - 1 operations and led key initiatives in
 Go to Gemba – Client site visit – Gain insight
Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Latin
into client corporate culture = Improved
America and throughout Asia. Our
candidate fit
principals, with their global perspective,
 Define candidate & search CTQ’s via VOC
understand what it takes to find, assess
 Define search project scope / Define and recruit talent for companies to
stakeholder roles & responsibilities with client succeed in today’s global economy.

2


Lean Sigma Search TM: Measure Phase Continuous Improvement
Executive Search &
Focus
How Critical is the Right
Continuous Improvement
D M A I C Talent?
According to a leading business magazine
study, only 2% of plants have reached
DEFINE MEASURE ANALYZE IMPROVE CONTROL world-class manufacturing performance,
with an additional 23% making significant
progress toward this enviable status. The
common theme found among these
The Measurement System
superior operations was a fully
In the Measure phase of our Lean Sigma Search™ value stream process we prepare a
implemented and effective continuous
Position Benchmarking Specification that is validated and approved by the client before
improvement methodology.
we initiate the search project. This specification is the measurement system by which all
potential candidates will be benchmarked and assessed, ensuring the client’s CTQs are
Of the plants that have made little or no
met.
progress toward world-class performance,
53% reported having some level of
The Data Collection Plan continuous improvement effort already in
We formulate the search strategy, targeting specific industries and companies to find the place. The study very pointedly suggests
best candidates. This data gathering strategy leverages our extensive industry that these improvement efforts might be
knowledge and proprietary contact database of industry leaders, corporations, suffering from half-hearted and unfocused
educational and professional associations. The result is a comprehensive strategy efforts or worse yet, disinterested or
covering all potential candidate sources. This approach, coupled with our growing incompetent leadership.
Candidate Registry database of candidates, enables us to move efficiently and
effectively through the executive search process. The overall findings of this study point to
the fact that most operations could
Data Plan Execution dramatically improve their performance by
having the right leadership talent in place.
During this phase we work closely with the client to develop a marketing “pitch” to attract
Our focus is to help our clients find the
the best candidates. By talking to a large number of people, we generate a substantial
right talent to maximize their continuous
number of qualified individuals to compare, evaluate and assess.
improvement / operational excellence
efforts and help them achieve world-class
Measurement System Validation
performance.
We believe in validating our approach as we move through each step, modifying our
measurement and search strategy parameters, as needed, based on market, candidate
How is our Continuous
and client feedback.
Improvement Practice
Different?
With our team’s significant Six Sigma and
Lean experience, we are uniquely qualified
MEASURE PHASE: to help our clients find, assess and recruit
Schedule DELIVERABLES SUMMARY the right continuous improvement and
Week 1 - 2 operational excellence talent. Our key
 Build Position Benchmarking Standards –
principals are Six Sigma Master Black Belt
Serves as measurement standard for all
and Lean trained by globally recognized
candidate assessments
industry leading Fortune 500 companies
 Develop and execute marketing campaign
and have real-world executive experience
and search sourcing plan / Measure market
leading their application in manufacturing,
response to position
distribution and service-based Industries.
 Weekly feedback to client – Measure search
progress

3


Lean Sigma Search TM: Analyze Phase Operations Executive
Search & Focus
How Critical is the Right
Operations Talent?
A recent major consulting firm survey of

D M A I C
senior executives found that higher
performers in their organization out
performed average performers by a wide
margin. This should come as no surprise
DEFINE MEASURE ANALYZE IMPROVE CONTROL to any of us. However, what came as a
surprise was how much this difference
could impact the overall performance of an
Determine the Vital Few quot;Xquot;s organization. The study went on to
highlight some significant findings:
The Analyze phase of our Lean Sigma Search™ value stream process is intended to
 In operations roles, higher performers
identify and find the vital few “X”s, those candidates with the right skills and qualities
were able to generate 40% more in
that best correlate to the client’s CTQ requirements.
productivity than their average
performing counterparts.
Measurement System Capability
 In managerial roles, higher performers
With our team’s decades of operations experience, we are uniquely qualified to find,
were able to generate 50% more in
assess and recruit the right talent for our clients. Our key principals have held senior-
profits than their average performing
level director, VP, and Lean Six Sigma positions in manufacturing, distribution and
counterparts.
service-based Fortune 500 companies. Our principals are Six Sigma Black Belt, Master
Black Belt and Lean trained by globally recognized industry leading companies and
Similar studies have found even more
have real-world, practical experience in their application. This is truly what differentiates
profound differences between top and
us from other firms. We speak the language of our clients and candidates.
bottom performers in key operational
roles. For instance, in manufacturing
Candidate Screening and Analysis companies, one study concluded that the
All prospective candidates are contacted to determine their interest and level of best plant managers grew profits 130%
qualification for the position. After analyzing the results of this initial screening, we while the lowest-performing managers
schedule an in-depth interview to assess the candidate in more detail. We assess and achieved no improvement. Hiring the right
compare every aspect of the candidate’s background, skills, values, strengths and operations talent can have a profound
weaknesses versus the client’s CTQs, as outlined in the Position Benchmarking impact on a company’s performance. Our
Specification. We also probe for candidate alignment with the client’s culture and focus is to help our clients find the right
business philosophy. operations talent to maximize their profit
and productivity objectives.
Selection the Vital Few quot;Xquot;s
How is our Operations
Our Lean Sigma Search™ process is specifically designed to cull the vital few from the
trivial many. From this process we select no more than three to four candidates for
Practice Different?
presentation to the client. For each candidate we prepare a written confidential
With our team’s decades of operations
summary of our assessment of the candidate versus the client’s CTQs.
experience, we are uniquely qualified to
help our clients find, assess and recruit the
right operations talent. Our key principals
ANALYZE PHASE: have worked in almost every function
Schedule DELIVERABLES SUMMARY within manufacturing and distribution,
including holding senior-level positions in
Week 2 - 7  Build candidate flow – Identify and recruit the
plant management and director-level
vial few “X”s, candidates with the best
global leadership roles. Our principals are
potential to meet CTQ’s
Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Lean
 Analyze fit versus Position Benchmark
trained by globally recognized industry
Standards
leading Fortune 500 companies and have
 Cull the vital few from the trivial many for real-world experience in their application.
client presentation with full written summary We speak the language of our clients and
of assessment candidates.

4


Lean Sigma Search TM: Improve Phase Executive Search
Services
We provide both a contingent and retained
search focus with functional expertise in
the areas of Six Sigma, Lean, operational

D M A I C
excellence, plant management, operations
management, supply chain management,
distribution management and finance. Our
practice services a wide spectrum of
DEFINE MEASURE ANALYZE IMPROVE CONTROL industries, spanning manufacturing,
distribution and service-based companies.

Contingent Search Services
Search Solution Validation  Leverage our principals’ decades of
The Improve phase of our Lean Sigma Search™ value stream process is focused on
executive operations & staffing
driving the search to a successful conclusion. This phase begins with client-candidate
experience.
interviews. We typically assist in the logistics of scheduling interviews, meeting times
 Leverage our extensive proprietary
and other details, so that all interviews proceed smoothly for both the client and final
database of contacts and candidates.
candidates. Following the interview we debrief the candidate and the client, providing
 Leverage our Lean Sigma Search™
feedback if necessary to each party. We also take the time to assess our own process
process to find the ideal candidate.
performance, ensuring that the presented candidates meet the client’s CTQs.
 Our clients only pay upon the successful
placement of our presented candidates.
Search Validation Conclusion  Fee is based on a percentage of the
When the final candidate is identified, and both the client and candidate express strong candidate’s first year’s total
interest in moving forward, we complete final references checks to further validate the compensation.
candidate’s leadership abilities, integrity, technical competence, achievements and
 We offer our clients a 60-day
personal characteristics. This process can either be done prior to, or after the final
replacement guarantee.
interview process depending on client preference.
Retained Search Services
Failure Mode Detection and Prevention
 Leverage our principals’ decades of
Detection and prevention of potential failure modes prior to this point in the process is
executive operations and staffing
critical to the successful conclusion of the search process. Our Lean Sigma Search™
experience.
value stream process is designed to continually test, at every phase, candidate
 Leverage our extensive proprietary
commitment to the search process. We probe, in detail, with questions about relocation
database of contacts and candidates.
preferences, salary expectations and spousal buy-in, to understand the candidate’s CTQ
 Leverage our Lean Sigma Search™
requirements. We also take great care to coach candidates on how to handle the
process to find the ideal candidate.
inevitable counter-offer scenarios that follow a resignation.
 Client site visit to gain improved insight
into company culture = improved
Search Solution Implementation candidate fit.
We recommend that we serve as the liaison between client and candidate during the  Face to face or video conference
offer and negotiation process. By serving as an intermediary, we can often work out interview with full candidate assessment
details that have a significant bearing on the final acceptance or rejection of the offer. process methodology: Position
Benchmarking Specification, Full
IMPROVE PHASE: Written Interview Evaluation, and Full
DELIVERABLES SUMMARY Candidate Summary.
Schedule  At a minimum, 3 - 4 candidates meeting
 Assist in the initiation of client and candidate
Week 7 - 9 our clients’ requirements will be
interviews – Provide feedback to each party in
presented in 60 days.
the process
 Fee is based on a percentage of the
 Validate both the candidate and client interest
candidate’s first year’s total
in moving the process forward – Probe for
compensation.
potential failure modes
 One-third of the estimated fee is paid up
 Initiation of candidate reference checks –
front to engage our search services.
Validate candidate fit to client CTQ’s – Probe
 We offer our clients a 90-day
areas of concern
replacement guarantee.

5


Lean Sigma Search TM: Control Phase Contact Us
Avery Point Group – Executive Search Value Stream At The Avery Point Group we welcome
your comments, advice and feedback.
Please feel free to contact us at anytime
for information regarding our executive
search services.

D M A I C Our New Offices
Like many of our clients we’ve made the
move to the Southeast and relocated to
DEFINE MEASURE ANALYZE IMPROVE CONTROL
DEFINE MEASURE ANALYZE IMPROVE CONTROL
the Atlanta metro area. Our new offices
are located in Alpharetta, Georgia, just 25
miles north of Atlanta.
Process Transition and Monitoring
Just as with any successful Lean Six Sigma project, the Control phase of our Lean
Sigma Search™ value stream process is focused on maintaining the positive results
gained from a successfully concluded executive search effort. As a result, our
involvement with the chosen candidate and client doesn’t end with the completion of the
search process. We believe in helping both parties achieve a smooth transition. We
take the time during the first several months to monitor the new employee’s progress
and the client’s satisfaction. By identifying potential issues early, we can help drive
resolution quickly and ensure satisfaction of both the client and newly hired candidate.

Continuous Process Improvement
Because we believe in developing a long-term partnership with our clients, we are
focused on the continuous improvement of our Lean Sigma Search™ value stream
process. At the conclusion of our efforts we seek written feedback from both candidates
and the client. This candid feedback helps us to continually upgrade our services and
ensure client and candidate satisfaction.
The Avery Point Group, Inc.
Guaranteed Results 4555 Mansell Road - Suite 300
Alpharetta, Georgia
We are so confident that our Lean Sigma Search™ value stream process will yield a
30022 USA
suitable match between candidate and client that we back it with a replacement service
guarantee.
P: +1 (678) 585 - 9804
F: +1 (678) 585 - 9832

info@AveryPointGroup.com

Directions
Heading North on I-400, take Exit #8
Mansell Road, turn right. Our office
building is the last building on your right
CONTROL PHASE: before you reach Haynes Bridge Road.
DELIVERABLES SUMMARY
Schedule Heading South on I-400, take Exit #9,
 Offer execution – Drive the search process to Haynes Bridge Road, turn left. Cross
Week 9 - 10 successful conclusion – Serve as the liaison North Point Parkway, turn right onto
between candidate and client during the Mansell. Our office building is the first
critical offer phase building on your left.
 Monitor on-boarding process to insure smooth
transition
 Seek feedback from client and candidate –
2004 - 2009
Drive continuous improvement of executive
search process The Avery Point Group, Inc.

6

Lean Sigma Executive Search Process - Avery Point Group

Lean Sigma Executive Search Process - Avery Point Group

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