CHICAGO, Nov. 15, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a recent article in Harvard Business Review, companies want CIOs to act less like CIOs and more like general business leaders. Today's complex business issues require an IT leader who really understands how to create bottom line value. How IT responds at a CIO leadership level has fast become a hot button for top management. Executives of today are asking: Does our technology strategy give us competitive distinction and does our IT function have the right leadership. The global Information Officers Practice at Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq:HSII) has developed, tested and launched a diagnostic tool to fill the gaps companies face in their drive to find the right IT leader to fit their specific needs.
"Developing these sorts of tools gives our firm a clear differentiator when advising companies on the right CIO for their business," said Bryan MacDonald, Information Officers Practice, Managing Partner, EMEA.
The IT Leadership Diagnostic Tool is a practical workbook allowing consultants to delve into and assess the leadership capability of potential candidates. The tool helps evaluate the critical leadership competencies of a successful IT leader in their ability to influence and manage change, align technology to business goals as well as help stimulate innovation. This allows our global team to work closely with clients to develop and agree the exact profile of their ideal IT leader as well as assess potential candidates against this profile.
"Clients consistently ask us how we assess CIOs as solid business leaders," said Gerry McNamara, Global Information Officers Practice, Managing Partner. "This carefully designed tool tackles that question head on for clients."
Heidrick & Struggles has already begun to roll out this new tool with current clients who have a variety of IT leadership needs. "We are excited about the potential and our clients see the value add," said Bryan.
About Heidrick & Struggles
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc., (Nasdaq:HSII) is the leadership advisory firm providing senior-level executive search and leadership consulting services, including succession planning, executive assessment and development, talent retention management, transition consulting for newly appointed executives, and M&A human capital integration consulting. For almost 60 years, we have focused on quality service and built strong leadership teams through our relationships with clients and individuals worldwide. Today, Heidrick & Struggles' leadership experts operate from principal business centers in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information about Heidrick & Struggles, please visit www.heidrick.com.