The company, which recently merged
with an adjacent market leader creating OnVantage, Inc., provides the technology powering
over 140 web sites/portals including large hotel chains such as Hilton and Wyndham.
The company also serves many Fortune 100 companies and public networks, including the
industry leading mpoint.com and successfulmeetings.com. As the Internet-based
solutions provider for the $300 billion meeting and events industry, PlanSoft needed a
CTO/CIO to join their Executive team. BEST Group was selected to conduct the search.
A major factor in PlanSoft’s
success is the extensive experience of its employees. From top executives through
key managers in Engineering/Development, Sales & Marketing, and Training, the team is
comprised of individuals who are experts in their field. With the financial backing
of major investment firms as well as key industry organizations, PlanSoft spear-headed the
widespread adoption of a new generation of web-based product offerings. These
products have set the standard for the method by which the entire market conducts
business. PlanSoft’s sophisticated but user-friendly products make it easier to
cost-effectively plan more profitable meetings and events.
Candidate Requirements:
Edward J. Tromczynski, PlanSoft’s President and COO, outlined the challenges for this
position. “The CTO/CIO candidate must have experience in four distinct
technology areas: a) Internet communications; b) scaleable development environments;
c) state-of-the-art hardware and infrastructure configurations; and d) extensive
information management/reporting.”
PlanSoft had other requirements as
well. As a growing Midwestern company with 80 employees, they preferred a focused
and affordable search firm that could work with a competitive salary and search fee
structure. The company wanted to target the large local pool of IT talent in NE Ohio
to expand its ASP technology platform, which was still a relatively new
environment. And, of course, there was the usual prerequisite to educate a
search firm about the company’s business and market segment.
A combination of these requirements
led PlanSoft to BEST Group, whereby Mr. Tromczynski further qualified BEST Group by
speaking with clients and candidates. He noted, “We knew going into the search
that identifying a qualified candidate with strengths in each of the required technology
areas would be a challenge. We needed a search firm that specialized in IT, that
knew the local market, and with whom both PlanSoft management and potential candidates
would feel comfortable. BEST Group met and in many ways, exceeded our lofty
expectations.”
Challenging Selection Process:
After completing interviews with various qualified candidates, PlanSoft’s initial
choice to fill the CTO/CIO slot was a candidate working for an organization in the midst
of an acquisition transaction. Even though BEST Group explained the potential
challenges associated with selecting a candidate involved in this process, PlanSoft
elected to wait until the transaction was complete. Unfortunately, the transaction
timeline was extended and eventually was not consummated, and the candidate decided to
remain with the current company. Now PlanSoft had an even more urgent need.
Mr. Tromczynski said, “The
process hit a bump in the road and BEST Group didn’t miss a step. They
re-engaged the search and identified additional quality candidates to meet our firm’s
needs. PlanSoft benefited from BEST Group’s quality guarantee service and
advanced executive search capabilities. The second round of this process produced
another group of quality executive candidates and PlanSoft found another all-star.
We’re extremely satisfied with the service provided and highly recommend BEST
Group.”
BEST Group Formula for Success:
Dave Schenk, BEST Group President and CEO said, “All IT searches are unique. In
addition to considering a corporate merger of its own during the process, the PlanSoft
search had even more requirements and expectations than usual. It was imperative to
identify a CTO/CIO who understood the impact of new technologies, was able to translate
them into business applications, and guide the technical direction of the company.
Of course, it was also necessary for the candidate to possess the business acumen to allow
him to seamlessly join the PlanSoft Executive team.”
With regard to BEST Group’s
philosophy, Mr. Schenk noted, “Our goal is to offer direction and added value to an
organization during the first meeting and beyond. We enjoy building relationships
with our clients that enable us to have open and direct communication throughout this
important process. BEST Group is like the Royal Mounted Police – we always get
our man – and in PlanSoft’s case, we got him twice.” |
