This time we were approached by a tech startup. A group of enthusiastic founders had the ambition to expand and grow. To do so, they needed to establish a new organisational structure, delegate key competencies to external managers and venture into foreign markets. It was our job to asses the candidates for executive positions beyond the scope of the standard hiring process. In the next step, we analysed the political risks and relations in the client’s new markets. Thanks to our services, the client could select high-quality managers without associated reputational risks. They simultaneously received a deeper understanding of the political and business environment of the newly entered markets.
Client
A Czech tech startup. A young and dynamic company developing and selling innovative technological solutions. It created a strong position on the domestic market for itself in merely two years of existence.
Task
We were tasked with assessing the portfolio of candidates for high-standing managerial positions selected with the help of a head-hunting agency. The goal was to uncover their personal and professional reputations, references, social and financial links and potential risks associated with their engagement. The client’s situation simultaneously required us to map the political and business environment during the expansion onto foreign markets and to identify key players, partners, competitors, interest groups and media. Finally, we were to advise on building relationships with members of the public administration, politicians and the media.
Solution
Candidate assessment
Our first task was to assess the portfolio of candidates for high-standing managerial positions selected by a head-hunting agency. We verified their professional and personal reputations and the potential risks associated with their engagement. Based on our reports, the client could make a well-informed decision on who to hire into their team.
Mapping political risks and relationships
We followed by mapping the political and business environments during the client’s expansion into foreign markets. We identified key players, partners and competitors. We advised the client on how to build relationships with members of the public administration, politics, and the media.
Conclusions
We found that some clients had negative references or untrustworthy social and financial ties, which could jeopardise our client’s reputation or interests.
We helped the client understand potential obstacles and opportunities for their business in a new market and to better prepare for entering a new environment and minimalising the risks.
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