Success Look back #1
Executive Placement Triumph
Securing an MD for a US Automotive Tier-1 Giant (2011)
The Challenge
In 2011, ASPPL secured its inaugural retained mandate: finding a Managing Director (MD) for a prominent, Large Tier-1 US MNC entering a critical phase in the Automotive sector. The client demanded a "unicorn profile":
-
Deep Automotive Industry Roots: Non-negotiable sector experience.
-
Stability & Loyalty: Max 3 job changes; 7+ years tenure in current role.
-
Proven Growth Trajectory: From 1000+ crores business unit with scaling experience.
-
Dynamic Leadership: Capable of steering an ambitious expansion.
The Market Reality
"Compounding this difficulty was the state of the market: two major international search firms had already executed exhaustive searches, seemingly exhausting the pool of active and visible candidates."
The Hurdles to Finding "Mr. TIM"
The ideal candidate presented several unique challenges:
Invisible Talent
Mr. TIM was not an active job seeker. Crucially, he did not even have a LinkedIn profile at the time, making traditional digital headhunting impossible.
The Niche
Employed at a Turbo Chargers company (highly specialized), making him a "hidden gem" outside typical org charts reviewed by competitors.
The Vacuum
ASPPL had to succeed where two global firms had failed. Conventional candidates were already rejected or off the table.
The Solution: Going Beyond the Visible
Recognizing the futility of public profiles, ASPPL employed a deep, classic, and high-touch executive search strategy:
1
The Power of Veterans
Connected with hundreds of veterans—current/former CEOs and Board Members—to bypass job boards.
2
Valuable Referencing
Leveraged conversations for confidential introductions to passive, high-performing individuals.
3
Targeting the "Inactive"
Shifted focus entirely to the inactive talent pool—successful leaders not looking to move.
The Outcome
★ A Perfect Fit
Mr. TIM was selected as the unanimous choice for the MD role.
★ Rapid Onboarding
Despite market exhaustion, ASPPL onboarded Mr. TIM within an impressive 5 months of receiving the mandate.
"This landmark placement cemented ASPPL's reputation for accessing discreet talent, proving that strategic human connections triumph over exhausted databases."
More case studies to follow...
To know more
