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Mergers and acquisitions are supposed to create value. The pitch is always compelling: two companies combine, costs drop, revenue climbs, and shareholders win. But the reality? Most mergers and acquisitions fail to deliver on that promise. Research shows that anywhere from 70% to 90% of mergers and acquisitions underperform or collapse entirely. The numbers are staggering, yet deals keep happening. The question is not whether the risk exists - it is why so many organizations

Hiring a new executive is one of the most consequential decisions a company can make. But here is what many organizations miss: the hiring decision is only half the equation. What happens in the first 90 days after that decision determines whether your new leader thrives or quietly starts looking for an exit. Research from Harvard Business Review suggests that nearly 40% of senior leaders fail within the first 18 months of a new role. The primary culprit is rarely a lack of s

Leadership in the AEC industry is evolving. Firms today are navigating more than growth and project delivery. They are managing leadership transitions, shifting workforce expectations, and the long-term sustainability of their organizations. The decisions made at the leadership level are shaping not only individual firms, but the future of the industry. In response, we are introducing The AEC Leadership Blueprint. A Space for Meaningful Dialogue The AEC Leadership Blueprint i

James Wilkson Shares Insights on The Improve Work Podcast Hiring senior leadership is one of the most critical decisions any organization makes.Yet unlike most roles in a company, executive positions rarely appear on public job boards. Finding the right leader requires a highly specialized search process, deep industry relationships, and careful evaluation of both professional capability and cultural alignment. In a recent episode of The Improve Work Podcast , James Wilkson ,

Purpose creates ripple effects. When your team feels valued, they deliver better service. Clients feel it, communities benefit, and business naturally grows. Purpose is the one investment that compounds everywhere. P urpose has become the new currency of success in today’s workplace, and leaders who prioritize mission-driven cultures are standing out in the war for talent. As part of our series exploring this important topic, we had the pleasure of interviewing James Wilkson,

“You want people nodding their heads” What’s your least favorite job interview question? There are plenty of solid picks. Perhaps “Can you describe a challenge you’ve experienced at work ?” Maybe “Why did you decide to leave your current role?” But those are both reasonable things for a hiring manager to ask, even if answering them can feel like carefully stepping around land mines. For many of us who dread this whole process, sweating out every possible scenario in advance,

In today’s competitive business landscape, the success of an organization often hinges on one thing: its people. But in the race to recruit top talent, empathy isn’t always the first quality that comes to mind. For AEC Global Search Consultants , an executive search firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida, empathy is not just a soft skill, but it’s a strategy. The Human Side of Leadership Placement After more than four decades in executive recruiting, James Wilkson has built a repu

In mid-October, new Nestlé CEO Philipp Navratil announced that the company will eliminate 6,000 jobs – or about 5.8% of its global workforce – over the next two years. The layoffs will include roughly 12,000 white-collar roles, as well as “a further 4,000 headcount reduction” as part of its plan to ignite a “turnaround fire” by cutting costs and improving efficiency, partially via automation. And on October 21, The New York Times reported that Amazon executives believe t

In an industry where finding the right leader can define a company’s future, James Wilkson stands apart for his belief that recruitment is beyond resumes. It’s about people, purpose, and legacy. As Managing Partner and Board Member of AEC Global Search Consultants , an executive search firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida, James has spent over four decades transforming how architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms find and keep exceptional leaders. A Human-First A

When it comes to filling open roles in your organization, the terms “talent acquisition” and “recruitment” are often used interchangeably. But here’s the truth: while they’re related, they are not the same. Understanding the difference between talent acquisition vs recruitment helps you build a more strategic, sustainable hiring process, especially if your goal is to hire top talent and drive long-term business success. If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s the difference between

When it comes to filling a key leadership vacancy, relying on job boards or internal referrals may not be enough. That’s especially true at the senior executive level, where hiring the wrong person can cost your organization more than just money; it can damage your culture, reputation, and even shareholder value. So, why do companies use executive search firms? Let’s unpack what executive search firms do and why many companies partner with them to make critical executive hire

When it comes to filling top roles like CEO, CFO, or COO, many companies partner with an expert: the executive search firm. But if you're wondering, "How do executive search firms find candidates, especially when the best people may not be actively looking for a job?", you're not alone. The executive recruitment process is more targeted and deliberate than traditional job postings. Let's walk through exactly how executive search firms operate and uncover the strategies that m