Programme Elements

We provide a specialist senior executive outplacement and career transition service, tailored to individual’s needs, and, as such, we do not offer mass market solutions that, in our experience, are of more perceived than genuine value (i.e. template documents, rooms with banks of PCs boasting databases of irrelevant jobs, process-driven consulting, etc.).

Key Programme Elements (all meetings one-to-one)

In-depth preliminary discussion
Structured fact-finding interview and high level debate with an expert consultant (specifically matched with the particular client), to ascertain the client’s current thinking and circumstances and introduce the programme.

Workbook and feedback meeting
Clients complete a copy of our Workbook containing a range of diagnostic exercises we have honed over the years both to encourage clients to focus on their future, and to identify their specific skills, achievements, aspirations and any areas to avoid.

Strategy session(s)
Building on the outcomes from the previous sessions, a planning meeting to scope the market and the options. It results in our production of a clear strategy via a Schema document.

Research/advice on routes to market
Research meeting with practical advice and written material on how best to access the 4 routes to market (networks, headhunters, advertised roles, speculative approaches); where appropriate, personal introductions to key people from within Executive Action’s own network and specialist recruiters.

CV
In-depth meeting with a dedicated business writer and the production of a bespoke CV or CVs (not from templates), tailored to promote the client in the best light and targeted specifically towards the relevant audience/market.

Presentation Skills Coaching
Videoed meeting with a professional presentation skills coach whose feedback includes advice on physical presence and vocal delivery in addition to effective interview preparation, sample questions and general technique.

Ongoing access to support
Ongoing telephone and email access to the Consultant throughout the agreed programme duration.

Alumni Benefits
As a member of our alumni, ongoing news bulletins and invitations to networking meetings and events.

Flexibility
Building programmes around individuals’ needs means flexibility: it is possible to substitute one or more elements within the programme, for example, a client can swap presentation skills coaching for an additional strategy/advisory meeting, or, for an individual who knows from the outset that they want to develop a portfolio career and/or set up their own business, elements of the Non-Executive Director or Business Start-Up Programme can be substituted.
Our ‘a la carte’ menu of services include:

Additional career coaching
Additional meetings with the Consultant to assess progress and give ongoing feedback and advice, including assessment of career opportunities as they develop and subsequent contract negotiation.

Diagnostic tools/psychometrics
We offer a range of sophisticated psychometric tools, including Career Path Appreciation and LIFO.

360 degree feedback
This takes the form of one-to-one guided telephone interviews with approximately six individuals selected by the client. The full and frank feedback is collated into a written report presented to the client.

Additional written material
Following further meeting(s) with the Business writer, extra versions of CVs are produced for clients pursuing various strategies and/or routes to market, along with supporting letters, applications, presentation material and other written marketing support.

Detailed research on companies/opportunities
The research team uses a range of specialist tools and press searches to unearth information useful for both interview preparation and identifying unadvertised vacancies. It includes, for example, information on companies and their Boards (individuals, changeover activity etc) etc

Job round-up/tailored press-cuttings service
Regular lists of advertised vacancies are identified and emailed to clients, and updates tailored towards specific areas of interest.

Advanced presentation skills/personal makeovers
Additional help on interviews and presentations, including, for example, personal makeovers, confidence building, developing board room presence etc

Extensive personal introductions
Personal connections are set up with people from our extensive network built up over 25 years, crossing sectors, functions and locations. It includes niche recruiters and, if required, professional mentors

Salary benchmarking
We offer a comprehensive, tailored benchmarking service to advise on an individual’s value in the market, covering both the size and shape of a likely package i.e. covering basic pay, bonus and/or benefits. This guidance may also indicate areas for negotiation.

Private office within our central London premises
We can arrange for a private office and administrative support on a one-off or ongoing basis.

Invitation to our special selection networking meetings
In addition to our general events schedule, we hold smaller meetings throughout the year for a handpicked group of people, often with common area of interest or from a particular sector.

Extended Non-Executive Directorship Support
Extended support over a longer period focusing on developing a portfolio career, with non-advertised vacancies rooted out, the production of an NED-focused CV, personal introductions, access to reduced rate NED courses, coaching on board skills etc.

Extended Business Start-Up Programme
Our team including a specialist consultant offers extended support over a longer period with wide-ranging advice covering, for example, business plans, funding, tax and legal aspects, marketing and website/business card/ brochure design and production.

Group Workshops
We also design bespoke career development workshops for groups. Contact us for further information.