Mashabey Enosh, established in 1981, are widely recognized as the first search firm in Israel operating in the retained Executive Search market. They are a highly respected firm and are considered by many as leading the way in Executive Search in Israel. Ruty Livnat has kindly agreed to share his views on the mid-year outlook, and the Executive Search Market in Israel.
 

Ruty Livnat: Mashabey Enosh is the only Israel-based company to focus exclusively on assignments for senior executive personnel - CEOs, VPs, VC Partners and Board Directors. Our clients range across all industries, from large companies to medium-sized businesses, VCs and private equity firms, family-owned companies, nonprofit organizations and entrepreneurial start-ups. We serve domestic corporations and organizations, as well as overseas clients with business interests in Israel.

Ruty Livnat: We have not experienced a change in the market since the beginning of 2012. We are aware that the market is fragile this year, but our business has been fairly stable compared to previous years. Therefore, we don't foresee changes in our workflow in the near future.

Ruty Livnat: At the moment, we are still witnessing that the Technology industry remains strong and dominant. Other sectors which we have lately experienced an increase in their activity include the various Manufacturer industries.  In our opinion, this indicates that this business segment is gradually adapting to the Retained Executive Search approach. 

Ruty Livnat: It seems that the biggest concern today for senior-level executives is the global financial situation. On average, we haven't noticed that the work-life-balance has become a bigger issue for Israeli senior-executive managers. Overall, we do feel that senior-level executives in Israel are working longer hours than their colleagues in other regions, but that doesn't seem to be a main area of concern for them.

Ruty Livnat: A main change we have noticed in the past five years is that the Israeli market is learning to embrace the Retained Executive Search approach and its advantages. In addition, we have witnessed more cooperation between Israeli recruiting agencies with some of the international networks (not necessarily AESC members).

We are aware of the growing usage of online networks for recruiting purposes (targeting especially junior and mid-level managers). There is a growing popularity of "LinkedIn" and other social online networks, as well as Start-Ups aimed towards recruiting solutions. 

Ruty Livnat: Mashabey Enosh conducts searches solely for Israeli candidates.  

Ruty Livnat: Senior-level executives in Israel today are varied in their characteristics and in general, we haven't seen much of a change in demographics. Similar to previous years, the prevailing gender among senior-level executives is male and the age range of the senior-level executives is quite wide, though it seems that these days the age factor plays less of a role.

Ruty Livnat: For executives seeking opportunities in Israel it is strongly recommended to be familiar with the Israeli market, its culture and the specific business attributes. It seems that in Israel there is a big emphasis on networking so this would be considered as an advantage for executives in the selection process.

Interview conducted by Helen Langley from the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC).
 
About BlueSteps
BlueSteps is the exclusive service of the AESC that puts senior executives on the radar screen of over 8,000 executive search professionals in over 70 countries. Be visible, and be considered for up to 75,000 opportunities handled by AESC search firms every year. Find out more at www.BlueSteps.com.