Global chip giant had high expectations for their regional President search

A major US-based semiconductor firm focused on chip and processor technologies for business and consumer markets required a regional President with both superior knowledge of the domestic market and an international mindset.

Because the semiconductor sector is relatively conservative compared to other technology sectors and because the region to be lead was also highly conservative, it would be difficult to identify candidates who would be adequately expansive in their view of business and management.

An additional hurdle was market perception where the client was generally seen as a perennial runner up to the market leader. Finally, the incumbent President was aging and due to be placed into the chairmanship. This always presents a less attractive scenario for candidates wanting to walk into a clean slate rather than a potentially political situation.

The client agreed with our recommendation to expand coverage beyond the domestic market to overseas in order to identify business leaders working with the major domestic players internationally. We also worked to find ex-leaders of domestics who had strong exposure to reporting to US HQ.

From the start we aggressively mapped the market, identifying all potential target companies along with individuals either currently or historically leading them. Based on highly detailed reporting identifying who existed in the market and the responses of each potential candidate, the client understood that some flexibility would be required on their part so as not to wait for a candidate who potentially did not exist.

However, in the end, minimal flexibility was required on their part. The eventually successful candidate was at the time running the European operation for a key competitor and was preparing a return. He met every requirement laid out by the client.