Rethinking How Business Is Done by Solving Immediate Challenges at the C-Level

CHICAGO, March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "Companies are beginning to rethink how business gets done in this difficult economic environment," says Dr. Lauren Doliva, Partner of Heidrick & Struggles. "As the reset button is pushed, we are seeing more clients in need of immediate access to top talent who can step into short term situations and solve problems quickly, or provide operating insights and advice. Organizations are demanding flexible solutions to business challenges by bringing in people who can deliver specific outcomes at specific times rather than filling a role on a permanent basis."

To meet this growing demand for experienced leadership, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSII) announces the launch of its Chief Advisor Network, a new practice for the world's premier executive search and leadership advisory firm.

The Chief Advisor Network is a select group of proven C-Suite and senior executives who can be brought in rapidly to help companies drive solutions against immediate internal or external developments, from the sudden departure of a C-Level executive to a new market opportunity.

"Heidrick is the first major global search firm to establish this kind of service for clients," says Kevin Kelly, CEO of Heidrick & Struggles. "What sets us apart with this offering is our strategy to help our clients across the talent management spectrum, from leadership development to acquisition.

"The Chief Advisor Network is an important element in our new strategic emphasis on executive search combined with leadership advisory services," Mr. Kelly continues. "With whole industries undergoing seismic shifts in the way they do business, we see burgeoning demand for seasoned leaders who have been through tough times before - and survived. We need to offer innovative ideas to clients whose upper leadership ranks are in flux, and the Chief Advisor Network provides an ideal solution."

"Observing global trends caused by changing demographics, the economy, and organizational demands, we talked to both client companies and top executives who affirmed that this was an idea whose time has come," says Dr. Doliva, who is leading the firm's new practice, and who in 2008 was named by BusinessWeek as one of the world's most influential headhunters.

"Just as businesses are looking for immediately available senior talent, many executives also prefer a 'portfolio' lifestyle that will allow them to have personal flexibility while still contributing and having impact on business outcomes," says Dr. Doliva.

"The faster pace of business today - whether it's turnarounds and restructuring, expansion into new markets when old ones are shrinking, swiftly exploring opportunities for new business models or taking advantage of acquisitions that fit with corporate strategic goals - requires companies to be able to tap into seasoned talent with industry or functional expertise who can act as special advisors or interim leaders," Dr. Doliva continues.

"These trends represent a fundamental shift in how companies are getting work done, and the Chief Advisor Network is at the convergence of these trends."

The Chief Advisor Network comprises those individuals who have reached the apex of their careers and now want to use their wisdom and expertise in short term assignments. Heidrick has already developed and pre-assessed a pool of these seasoned executives across a wide range of industries and functions. While the practice is launching in the U.S., it is partnering with existing practices in Asia and Europe as it continues to expand globally to meet the needs of Heidrick's worldwide client base.

Mr. Kelly explains that Heidrick & Struggles is uniquely positioned to offer the flexibility and efficiency that the Chief Advisor Network provides. "Our vast range of relationships with top executives on a global level, combined with our knowledge of so many companies of all sizes that need this talent, gives us the leverage to provide an unparalleled network of senior executives."

If you would like more information about Heidrick & Struggles' Chief Advisor Network, please contact Davia Temin or Suzanne Oaks of Temin and Company at 212-588-8788 or news@teminandco.com.

About Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. is the world's premier provider of senior-level executive search and leadership consulting services, including talent management, board building, executive on-boarding and M&A effectiveness. For more than 50 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.

SOURCE Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
03/04/2009

CONTACT: Davia Temin or Suzanne Oaks of Temin and Company, +1-212-588-8788, or news@teminandco.com, for Heidrick & Struggles

8602 03/04/2009 10:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com


"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.'s business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.