The events of 9/11 changed everything — not just in our personal lives, but in how we did business. Clients froze budgets, uncertainty took hold, and many businesses struggled to stay afloat. Talent was re-evaluating what mattered. And human connection took on a new depth. In executive recruiting, success now depended on emotional intelligence, empathy, and relationships built on trust.

We leaned into that shift. While others pulled back, we doubled down on meaningful conversations, not transactions. Candidates wanted purpose. Clients wanted people who could lead with calm and clarity in uncertain times. That’s where we showed up best.

From Rolodex to Inbox

Technology began to quietly reshape the way search was done. Email was becoming the norm. PDF resumes replaced paper copies. Job boards like Monster were gaining traction — creating a digital layer to an industry long reliant on phone calls and faxes.

We adapted without losing our edge. Tools were evolving, but our approach stayed rooted in connection. While others chased quantity, we stayed committed to quality. Our retained model gave us the space to truly vet, understand, and deliver talent that could move the needle for our clients.

Recruiting Trends:

• Email overtakes fax as the primary communication tool
• Digital resumes and online job boards emerge
• Candidate accessibility increases, but quality becomes harder to filter
• The industry begins to split: volume-based recruiting vs. relationship-led retained search

CPG Industry Shifts

During this time, legacy brands were grappling with slowing growth while emerging challenger brands began to enter the scene. Beverage, food, and wellness categories started to shift toward better-for-you, functional, and natural offerings. Innovation became a core capability — and finding talent with that mindset became a competitive advantage.

Our expertise in the CPG space gave us a front-row seat. Clients were no longer just looking for seasoned operators — they needed builders, disruptors, and culture-setters. Our network and instincts helped companies bridge that gap.