Quantum² : InfoStars : Carol O'Driscoll

Carol O'Driscoll

Russell Reynolds Associates' Carol O'Driscoll

Extraordinary people fuel the success of Russell Reynolds Associates, so it is hardly surprising that InfoStar Carol O'Driscoll is just such an extraordinary person. As regional research director for Europe of this global executive search and management assessment firm, Carol oversees a staff of over fifty researchers working with recruiters and clients throughout Europe. The goal is to match the right high-level executives to the right client corporations, and if repeat business is any indication of success, the firm's whopping 70 percent of previous client-generated business speaks volumes. Russell Reynolds prides itself on its processes, but even more so on its people.

Carol was "headhunted" for Russell Reynolds herself, from a position as Senior Researcher for a major investment bank in the City of London, and has learned the executive recruitment business on the fly. She brought with her a wealth of research, management and training experience, all of which have contributed to her current success over the past eight years. She now works directly with the firm's Chief Information Officer, Director of Knowledge Management, and other regional research directors to develop corporate research policy and strategy in an institutional context of teamwork, collaboration and knowledge sharing.

"Our researchers support our recruiters in two key ways: to help win new business by researching the target market, companies, etc., and by identifying and developing successful candidates for our clients," explains Carol. To do so, they work directly with recruiters in over 40 practice areas, meeting clients, identifying and contacting information sources, developing the specification, and exchanging ideas with recruiters and clients. The Research Performance Measurement project recently initiated under Carol's direction capitalizes on this unique role played by researchers, and helps articulate the research contribution to the overall search process.

One of Carol's key focuses is recognition of the research component in the search process, and as part of the project, Carol redesigned the Research Performance Appraisal forms to provide a more detailed picture of the research contribution to search execution, new business, ethics, teamwork, data quality and personal skills. Carol looked within the organization, and aligned the new forms with the recruiter model to more clearly illustrate the impact of research on process, and at the same time provide more consistency globally. For the individual researcher the new appraisal process offers an advantage; it is now easier to identify and set specific career goals that mesh with those of the firm.

The company provides fertile ground for pro-active relationship building, and Carol has taken advantage of this environment in numerous ways, planting some exemplary seeds of success along the way. Admitting to being "very keen on training," Carol works hard to provide the environment and tools necessary for the staff to improve their skills and blossom in their careers. Invited speakers to monthly meetings of the London researchers often include recruiters from the firm, and researchers themselves share best practices with each other. A corporate intranet, conference calls, face-to-face meetings and remote training sessions facilitate the constant sharing of ideas, skills, practices and relevant breaking news with researchers and recruiters throughout the firm. Carol remains personally committed to training and professional development, and has developed and taught a number of research training programs in London and the United States, stating, "I enjoy developing people and seeing them become successes – and growing and developing myself."

One of the original reasons Carol was approached by Russell Reynolds was to develop and manage their information resources in Europe. Keeping an eye on emerging trends is key in this business, and researchers use traditional print and online information sources to remain current on core markets and sectors, to identify new business opportunities, and to support the search process. They also use a customized Dialog Researcher product, designed by Carol and her Dialog partners, that includes a Current Awareness section for monitoring current and potential clients. Still, continuous change and development is what Carol is all about, adding, "We are trying to widen our European coverage of Dialog Researcher to ensure our European colleagues have a wide range of resources in their own languages. Researchers in each office contribute ideas which I try to implement with the Dialog team, and we are constantly looking at ways of improving the product to ensure it meets our information needs."

A "typical day" for Carol is refreshingly diverse, as she deftly juggles management tasks, leadership responsibilities and her own researcher role in the firm. She enjoys wearing several hats, and relishes the challenges each role offers up on a daily basis. "Each search we undertake is a new challenge and a new opportunity to learn and talk to new people." Delegation, she has found, is key to her success – and presents opportunities for her staff to learn and grow into the extraordinary people that characterize Russell Reynolds Associates, and — Carol O'Driscoll, herself.