Agencies invest a tremendous amount of their resources in Search Consultant-led reviews.
Given this, our objective with this study is to spark the dialogue and provide the agency feedback that will ultimately lead to improving how Search Consultants get the best work from the agencies they engage. We are also providing agency feedback to help ensure reviews are being run in a way that is efficient, effective and ethical.
Fear of Being Black-Listed: It is worth noting that this study created an element of concern with agency executives. Thirteen people emailed Mirren [Read More]
Our Mirren Search Consultant Review closes fairly shortly now. We've had a good response from the industry, with some interesting insight into what's working and what can improve in terms of how search consultants and agencies work through the competitive review process.
Here are some responses to the question:
Overall, what do Search Consultants most need to improve in terms of how they work with agencies?
"Cut way back on what often is an over-the-top RFI/RFP process." "Transparency of expectations." "Manage the clients' expectations better and eliminate useless work and hoops for the agencies to jump through." "Find a new way to evaluate [Read More]Our Mirren Search Consultant Review closes fairly shortly now. We've had a good response from the industry, with some interesting insight into what's working and what can improve in terms of how search consultants and agencies work through the competitive review process.
Here are some responses to the question:
What are one or two of the single biggest trends you see taking place with Search Consultants and their impact on new business?
"Growing number of digitial AOR reviews." "They are setting less boundaries around what a client can request for spec thinking/work." "Higher number of specialized searches--PR only; media only, etc. vs. AOR searches." "More [Read More]
Mirren is conducting a review of Search Consultants, as evaluated by you, the agency. The objective is to spark dialog and provide feedback that will ultimately lead to improving best practices.
You can participate in the review here: The Mirren Search Consultant Review.
Based on speaking with agency CEOs and new business directors over the last few years, our own experience as new business directors, and extended deliberation within the Mirren team, this is what we've carefully selected as our evaluation criteria. As always, let us know if you have any [Read More]
So you've decided that it's worth the investment of resources (it always takes more than you think) to market to the Search Consultants.
Well, we're happy to get you started with our Mirren U.S. Search Consultant Directory. In producing this relatively straight forward (but definitely time consuming) listing, we would like to thank the Search Consultants and our clients... who referenced a few that were not yet on our radar.
Please do let us know if we've missed any, or if any contact information has changed.
[Read More]
As one focus in our upcoming advanced workshop series, we'll be addressing Search Consultants.
For large agencies, if competitive reviews are a key element of the new business growth strategy, then there is no question about marketing to search consultants.
However, what if you're not a top 25 global agency?
Each year, we have all of the major search consultants join us at our New Business Conference. This past April, participants included Pile & Co, [Read More]
While Search Consultants peform a valuable role for clients, they can be tough on agency resources. Their questionnaire responses alone are quite comprehensive... and no two are alike.
We have been working on a set of best practices (some more ethically oriented) that we think would help improve the agency-search consultant relationship and ultimately lead to better, more effective work for clients.
Here are a few of the best practices:
Respectful of Agency Resources
Based on what a client requires to make well informed decisions, the resources required to complete the review process are reasonable. While we understand that Search Consultants differentiate themselves in [Read More]
