The ending of the relationship between a company and a senior executive is a time of great stress for both sides. It is vital for the reputation of the company that this difficult situation is handled with as much sensitivity and decency as possible. A disgruntled ex employee can cause untold damage to a company’s image (even though at the same time he may equally be damaging to his own future employment options). However, if an individual is treated with courtesy and decency, the damage to the company and its stakeholders – customers, suppliers, investors, the press and existing employees – who may have worked with the individual for many years and will understandably be concerned about their future prospects – can be greatly reduced.

Many companies and senior executives consider that outplacement assistance is not appropriate for such individuals. However, experience shows that most senior executives can benefit from a tailored and focussed approach.

Why use Devine Consulting for senior outplacement?

While many companies have established relationships with outplacement consultancies, the service such organisations can provide to senior employees may well not be as appropriate as it is for middle management. Senior executives have been making decisions on behalf of the company for many years and will be appreciative of the opportunity to make their own decision about which consulting to use at this critical moment in their careers. In the context of a termination payment and the situation as a whole the extra cost – which in any case will be minimal – should be placed into context.

Devine Consulting outplacement services

Devine Consulting is dedicated to providing a tailored, personal service that will address the particular, unique issues that pertain to a particular senior executive. There is no standard process devised to be appropriate for all levels of management. For each individual a personal programme is devised and long term realistic goals identified.

How do we help individual clients achieve their goals?

As set out above, the first stage is to ensure that the goals are realistic, even if ambitious. Thereafter, we will work closely with the client to:

Provide a personal service - We recognise that each of our clients is an individual with different motivations and aspirations. There is no standard solution or process. We strictly limit the number of clients with whom we work at any one time in order to ensure that our consultants are readily available to provide advice and support whenever necessary. The only standard offering to every client is a year’s free membership of the Institute of Directors;

Use our experience - All our consultants have experience both in executive search and in commercial roles and are therefore able to provide practical and apposite advice. We know what strategies are proven to work and where others may have perceived flaws;

Use our contacts – We will bring all of our contacts in executive search firms, prospective employers and private equity houses to bear for the benefit of our clients. Our consultants proactively maintain relationships with all of these contact bases to ensure that we are aware of opportunities which may not be in the public domain and the types of individuals for whom prospective employers may be searching. Our contact base ensures that we are able to provide introductions, where relevant, at the appropriate level within these organisations;

Research – Our knowledge of a variety of sectors means that we are able to provide clients with the tools to ascertain specific company and sector information in order to identify and analyse opportunities. Even where this information is not in the public domain, our contact base means that we may be able to identify someone who can assist in preparation; and

Meeting preparation - Our consultants are available to ensure that each of our clients is fully prepared for each meeting. Where appropriate, we will undertake personal preparation for such meetings (including video preparation) to ensure that our clients are fully ready to make the most of every opportunity. Often our clients have not been in the position for some considerable period of time and it is our experience that time spent in rigorous preparation is rarely wasted.

Analysis of options - Individuals are often beset with a myriad of different opportunities. Our objectivity and experience allows us to help our clients analyse the issues attendant on each, be it a question of timing, of career progression or of remuneration. Our ability to take a long term view of the client’s career path means that we can work with our clients to consider whether a particular opportunity fits with the strategy which the client has adopted at the outset and, if not, whether the situation is such that the initial strategy may be adapted in the particular circumstances – and then to evaluate the long term consequences.

For more information see – The Outplacement Process.

Our fees relate to the level of service provided to each individual and are agreed with the sponsoring organisation prior to commencement of the assignment.