INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH

SBR Europe

Company Brochure2010

Who We Are• SBR Europe is a boutique executive search firm

that works with a small number of clients on a succession-planning basis to help them find their key people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

 • We build networks of great people through trusted

referrals. We are headhunters, searching for talents across markets until we find the right candidate for our clients and the best company for our candidates. We work for, and network with, the world’s leading brands. Not only do we place people with top companies, we also introduce and link up great people. We function as gatekeepers of a network while we’re referred to the best people. We give a qualitative service that is long-term focused yet fast in delivery.

  • In addition, we can provide through our Knowledge

Management team, bespoke Market Intelligence, Competitor Analysis and Compensation Bench marking reports. We are highly focused on creating individual Search & Retention programmes with our clients.

 • We operate from regional offices in the United

Kingdom and Spain on an executive search basis with complimentary operations in the United States.

Our Strategy• We work very closely with a small number

of clients on a succession planning basis, networking with the top talents across our clients’ sectors and beyond in order to inject top talent into our clients’ succession plans.

• Our search process and in depth market knowledge enables us to approach the ‘known talent network’ specific to the assignment and locations for ‘high potential’ candidates.

• SBR Europe provides constant feedback with weekly reports to our clients to ensure we cover all bases and so the end result is the same time and time again in that we identify and present the best available candidate for the mandate. This allows our clients to focus on their own business strategies.

• We utilize a proven consultative approach to executive search which consistently provides the right result, constantly improved by our internal QA processes.

Our Values • Honesty - We speak frankly and we only

promise what we can deliver. • Excellence – We only work with high-

caliber candidates and blue chip companies, and we do that very closely with a boutique approach.

 • Leadership – We look for leaders both for

our clients and ourselves. In both our candidates and our consultants there is a strong leadership identity with potential to develop and be developed.

 • Transparency - We insist on clarity when

doing business. That’s why we follow a step-by-step process in which we partner with our clients on a retained basis.

 • Resilience - We never quit and never fail

to provide a solution to a search. • Long-term relationships – All decisions

are made based on what’s best for all parties. It has to be a “win/win” deal.

 

What makes us different from other executive

search firms?• At SBR Europe we hold a niche

position within EMEA search. Our clients use us to bring in young, high potential talent in critical roles across their organization.

 • Not only do we recruit at the senior

executive level but we are also involved in succession planning and increasing bench strength both vertically and horizontally in the EMEA operations. Although all consultants specialize in certain key functions, they are also expected to be able to source and attract across function and region.

 • We are always looking for individuals

who are currently recruiting and possess a proven track record of top production. If you are looking for an entrepreneurial environment in which to realize your professional aspirations, please send us your CV to careers@sbreurope.com

World Wide SBRSBR stands for Southwestern

Business Resources.

SBR was incorporated in 1982 as a division of the Southwestern Company, America’s oldest and most respected direct sales firm.

For over 150 years the Southwestern Company has trained and developed young people in the area of sales and sales management. It is from this solid foundation that SBR has established its reputation as a premier search firm.

We are a diversified, employee-owned company in which all employees have a vested and long-term stake in how our clients are treated and how our business is conducted.

Our Practice Areas

• SBR specializes in the recruitment of talent across the core business functions of Procurement, Supply, Marketing, Sales, Finance, Operations, IT and Human Resources. However, with our extensive network and methodology of mostly working through trusted referrals, we have also completed searches within Quality, Program Management, Strategic Planning, R&D and Business Development.

 • Our business practice reflects today’s

market. Candidates are referred by our senior network for specific roles often with a need for immediate relocation.

  • With the exponential rise in the Emerging

Markets, our clients' Human Resources needs are growing greatly in demand for talent. We therefore source in the local markets and also look to repatriate those nationals with out of the country experience.

Practice Area:Information Technology

• SBR Europe is strongly networked with today’s and tomorrow’s technology innovators across the globe. Specializing in partnering with fast growth, early stage companies achieve their potential by recruiting experienced, start up professionals.

 • We have placed at C Level, VP Sales,

Country Managers, IT Security experts, Architects, Senior Program Managers and Directors globally.

  • A special focus is within the, BPM,

SOA, Cloud Computing, Virtualization, Enterprise Software, Videoconferencing, Unified Communications market for the key and emerging players in the market who are improving efficiencies and cost savings for their customer base.

Practice Area:Supply

• Demand for proven supply executives is growing. Modern Supply represents competitive advantage and strategic alignment between suppliers and retailers, improving procurement, manufacturing, planning and inventory management and reducing costs.

 • Competition for change focused

supply chain professionals is strong with improvement programs being undertaken in leading companies across the industry. SBR Europe has considerable success in headhunting from supplier to manufacturer and retailer. We cover all aspects of Supply from Upstream Manufacturing through all links to Customer facing Managers and Directors.

Practice Area:Finance

• The business nature of finance is evolving across the Consumer Goods and Industrial sectors. Today’s professionals are viewed as strategic partners who assist the commercial business with proactive financial planning and measurement.

 • As top companies diversify and adapt to

increasingly competitive markets, senior finance personnel are increasingly expected to take an umbrella view of the business to maximise revenue through cost reduction and astute financial management.

  • Finance has often been seen as the commercial

conscience of the business but now the profession is a key change driver within commerce. As well as today’s CFOs, SBR are able to assist companies by identifying the CFOs of tomorrow. Through our networks of both local and expatriate finance professionals we proactively source high potential and highly mobile candidates through referrals.

  • Covering all disciplines of finance is a challenge as

the skill sets differ across the divisions of statutory and management accounting, as well as audit, Tax and Treasury. However, with the referral method of sourcing and careful research, the “soft skills” and culture fit are first identified and then followed with strict technical evaluation.

Practice Area: Human Resources

• The demands made of human resource executives have increased significantly in recent years. This is not only due to the increased competitiveness of business generally, but also because most CEOs recognize that world class HR plays a significant role in helping them to achieve their strategic business objectives.

 • Human Resources executives have evolved

into a truly integrated and crucial part of modern business. People really are the assets of any company and key to achievement of any strategic business objective. Leading HR professionals hire, coach, monitor, retain, compensate and are genuine business partners.

  • HR directors are also expected to have a

deep understanding of the business strategy, competitors and display; not only strong business acumen but also empathy and emotional intelligence.

Practice Area:Procurement

• Purchasing reflects a key element of modern companies' competitiveness. Far from the traditional notion of procurement being a cost killer, this area of the Supply Chain has become a proactive 'value add' for today's multinational. The search for talented individuals who fit this profile and are able to create this value is intensifying across Europe.

 • SBR's Procurement practice focuses on

executive and board level searches with strategic or mission critical implications across all major procurement functions.

Areas of focus include:

• Packaging • Raw materials- Ingredients, dairy, etc. • Contract Manufacturing & third party • Media & Marketing Purchasing • HR Services Purchasing • Strategic Sourcing • Covering all disciplines of procurement is a

challenge as the skill sets differ across the distinct areas of attention.

Practice Area:Marketing

• Marketing drives growth for companies in channels, market share and revenue. At the executive level in Marketing, significant growth projections in challenging markets means that those who can anticipate trends and think strategically are in great demand.

 • Whether it is strategic, financial or

operational focus that is needed we are strongly networked in all disciplines of Marketing Communications across industry and agency. With more companies taking a category led approach to their marketing and commercial business we are being pushed more and more to hunt for marketers who take ownership of their P&L, plan and execute strategically.

Practice AreaCommercial Division

• Competition is intensifying across Global Markets, boundaries within commercial areas are blurred and our clients are demanding multi skilled talent. Our clients are demanding commercial leaders who are innovative, understand the power of the brand, influence and are financially accountable.

 • We look for those with strategic vision

who can deliver high growth and high margin results. The blueprint for emerging markets and established regions are the same – innovation, talent development and market prioritization. However, some focuses do differ and SBR Europe has been able to successfully identify key leaders for our clients in both regions.

Practice Area:Diversity

• To reach, attract and retain the 21st century consumer base, a diverse workforce is essential. Consumers think, act and buy from a wide-ranging set of criteria. To this end, today’s winning corporation must reach, attract and retain a diverse team of people. SBR Europe proactively targets diverse, high-performing talent whilst matching the specific functional criteria for a role.

 • Choice is the key driver in a selection process. The

candidate with the relevant skills, drive and ambition will most likely be successful. However, choosing from a representative pool offers the client a greater chance of matching diversity criteria. We understand that diversity at the top tier is critical to ensure such programs flow through the business. SBR Europe has been instrumental in introducing younger, diverse, high-potential talent into Fortune 500 clients to ensure tomorrow is as “balanced” as today.

 • Drawing on our network and tracking rising stars

from different countries, companies and backgrounds ensures our clients that our pipeline is constantly refreshed and reflecting market trends and conditions.

 • SBR Europe is actively involved in pan-European

diversity conferences and think tanks and holds membership with several professional diversity networks.

Why Work With Us?

• We give a very high quality, personalized service and we work primarily through qualified referrals.

• We are a boutique firm that offers accessibility and a consistent point of contact, but yet we have an intercontinental reach across Europe, Middle East and Asia; and The Americas. Our client contacts are completely hands-on in delivery and we personally interview all candidates.

• Our international approach to diversity is unique. We have a network of high potential, internationally mobile professionals across business functions who are willing to relocate when promoted, and speak at least two languages with English as the constant.

Why Work With Us?(Continues from previous page)

• Our clients look to us to help them increase their bench strength with people who can be promoted at least twice. We bring in top talent not just at VP and Director levels, but also at the often more important (one or two) level(s) below: the future leaders.

• We accomplish our mission regardless of how difficult a search may be.

• What makes us different from other executive search firms?

• We accomplish intercontinental search through one point of contact.

• We believe that cultural fit is the biggest determinant of success so we network for the right culture fit and then find the candidates that also have the right experience. This way we always get the right people on the bus in the right seat.

• We understand that at this level of search it is about personal relationships and the understanding of culture - knowing the heartbeat of an organisation.

SBR CandidatesWe have an excellent track record in recruiting diverse, high potential, internationally mobile candidates, who are consistently promoted by our clients. These candidates have lived and worked in two or more countries, speak at least 2 languages - while English is the constant, and have relocated when promoted.

• Culture fit - it should be a given that the candidate has potential and can do the job; therefore the biggest determinant of long term success at a company is culture fit, so we spend a lot of time on this important area to make sure that there is an excellent culture match between the client and the candidate.

• International reach - we help our clients find their key people right across all regions. To only look at the local market would limit the candidate pool, especially the more progressive, international candidates that have been promoted and developed across many countries and cultures.

• Succession planning - our clients look to us to help them fill succession gaps with people who can be promoted at least twice.

Our Client’s Testimonials

I just want to take a minute to thank you for the outstanding work that SBR has done in successfully completing a very special search.

  We knew it since the very beginning that putting together a pool of high profile diverse candidates was going to be a tough one, that's why I am really pleased for having met a number of great female candidates which ultimately made our choice very difficult!

  Most of all, apart from identifying great candidates, I have appreciated your taking us through the process, helping us and the candidates reflect and focus and really facilitating an understanding of needs and expectations from both sides. More generally, knowing you were there and available to share thoughts and design strategies and action plans.

  I am sure we will have the chance in the near future to partner up again.

  HR Director, Nike Italy

 

 

Our Client’s Testimonials

  Just recently I transitioned from

North America to Europe and was charged with staffing a new team for our European headquarters. With the help of SBR we were able to fill 5 key positions in a short period of time. All of the new employees are meeting or exceeding our expectations. I credit SBR for finding quality candidates in a relatively short period of time.

Their professionalism, commitment and drive are note-worthy attributes. I am impressed with SBR’s ability to understand the client’s needs in terms of job content and cultural fit and identify candidates who meet the profile of what we are looking for. It’s the first time that I have had more qualified candidates than openings!

  Supply Chain Planning Manager SC Johnson, Europe Sarl

 

Our Client’s Testimonials

Dear SBR team:  

As the GM of Nike France until September 2008, I had the opportunity to work with you on a key recruitment, and asked you to search for our Director of Finance and Supply Chain.

  We gave you a precise deadline to start presenting candidates and not only this deadline was respected, but also the quality of the candidates you presented was fully in line with our expectations, to the point that at the end of the interviewing process, there were 3 candidates in my opinion who could have been selected. Eventually we made a choice for a candidate who is giving so far full satisfaction, and has adapted to our company very quickly.

  What I appreciated in particular with you is how quick you understood what we were looking for, and that you have also quickly understood the Nike Company Culture, which is very strong. I have been impressed by the many contacts you have all over Europe, and that your database of contacts is not limited geographically or in terms of candidates’ nationalities.

  I wish all of you the very best for the future.

  Kind regards,

  General Manager, Nike France

 

Contact UsFor more information on our company please visit us at:

www.sbreurope.com

Or call us:

BarcelonaCalle Mallorca 237 bis, 2, 1A08008

Telephone +34 93467 6020Fax +34 93 467 6385

LondonGround Floor, 33-37

Charterhouse square London EC1M 6EATelephone +44 (0) 845.873.3940

Fax +44 (0) 845.873.3941