This multi-billion dollar crop input company was seeking to expand and restructure its R&D capabilities, and needed to find a truly unique individual to lead the way as a change agent. The client engaged Kincannon & Reed to conduct a high level, extremely targeted global search and provide competitive analysis on how R&D functions are structured in other organizations. From the start, this was a crop input R&D leadership search where the right executive had to reshape the function, not simply join it.
Because of our Principals’ own professional backgrounds, we understood the real driver for the client: the need to distinguish between those candidates who were superior scientists and those who were superior leaders of scientists. The two are not the same. Leading a research organization calls for setting scientific direction and developing other scientists, which is a different capability from doing excellent science alone. Reading that difference accurately is where our leadership assessment experience mattered most.
Led by firm Principals who had served in executive positions overseeing research organizations at crop input companies, our global research team identified major and minor competitors and mapped their organograms. Our Principals reached out to personally call the prospective candidates jointly agreed upon with the client. Thanks to our deep expertise and connections in this specialized area, we were able to meet the client’s needs by determining priority candidates and providing useful competitive intelligence on R&D organization structures.
Kincannon & Reed incorporates validated interview techniques and evaluation tools to accurately assess candidates. We have the capability to measure personality traits, motivations and evaluate specific competencies and behaviors. The right assessments provide a balanced approach to understanding potential as much as experience.
Coaching empowers executives to reach their full potential faster, benefiting your organization. We partner certified coaches with executives and use a strengths-based approach to guide leaders through a process that maximizes their potential to drive success.
We bring a history of success delivering advisory and fiduciary board members specifically for family, start-up, and growth organizations. Our industry networks and broad access to executive leadership bring willing candidates from every corner of the market to serve on your board.
