Recent years have seen strong and growing links between the worlds of business and sports, as well as a growing professionalization of talent within the sports business arena. We work for many of the best known organizations in world sports, including federations, teams, event management companies and agencies, as well as for leading sports goods and media companies. The common thread is that all these organizations seek to capitalize on the tangible and intangible benefits of sports. In the current recession, sports sponsorship still offers a unique and powerful means for companies to bolster sales and grow brands, but the return-on-investment calculation has never been more complex. Going forward, the playing field will become more uneven, and the gap between winners and losers will be wider than ever.
What skills are needed now?
These uniquely challenging times call for strong leadership and new ways of thinking; strategic and conceptual insights must be matched by flawless and cost-effective execution. Consequently, there has never been greater need for skilled and experienced executives. Change management and entrepreneurial skills are key competencies. Functional/operational excellence is a prerequisite, allied to a high degree of consumer understanding, and commercial expertise. Above and beyond this, managers must be able to create innovative and effective strategies that lead to sustainable success.
How can Egon Zehnder International support the sports business industry?
Executive talent remains the most enduring source of competitive advantage. We concentrate on helping our clients achieve this advantage through the identification, assessment and recruitment of talented professionals with outstanding track records.
Over the last 5 years, we have successfully completed over 150 projects worldwide in the sports business sector. Our ability to work seamlessly with our Consumer, Media, Hospitality and Leisure and CMO Practices enables us to assemble global teams that assure our clients the best possible solution.
How we operate
Beyond senior executive search, we work with organizations to ensure that essential competencies are available and developed in their executive and non-executive management teams. Our Talent Pipeline proactively identifies top strategic talent in the global market, with competencies in such critical functions as sponsorship, as well as in general management.
Our
Leadership Strategy Services Practice offer proven expertise in systematically evaluating and benchmarking companies’ existing management portfolio at both individual and team levels.
Executive management teams can only be successful in these times if they are supported by an effective board. Our
Board Consulting experience covers NED recruiting, appraisal of individual board member contributions, and overall board performance reviews.
