A Troubling Confluence of Events is Affecting Sales and Marketing Executives in 2012

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA, March 15, 2012 (Press-News.org) The Kathy Freeman Company, a retained executive search firm focused exclusively on assignments within the investment industry, has concluded its latest proprietary research designed to identify current trends among senior sales and marketing executives.

Based on that research the firm has just published its most recent annual whitepaper: "Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?"

The trends identified in the paper can be leveraged by CEOs, their human resources partners, or line executives to design a more effective and relevant approach to retaining or attracting this critical subset of talent.

"Our research indicates that there is a growing trend of notable dissatisfaction among this high performing talent pool', said Kathy Freeman Godfrey, CEO of the Kathy Freeman Company.

"Lacking opportunities to innovate, to be heard and to grow within their firms, these respondents, who are likely also a representation of the greater financial services industry, are at risk of leaving their firms or our industry altogether," she says.

The 2012 Study, "Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?", offers insights into areas such as:

- What is the volatility index for these industry leaders in 2012?
- What key motivators, inherent to this group, are getting overlooked by financial services firms?
- Has the financial market's uncertainty and the industry's "crisis events" taken a toll on this high performing talent pool?
- Is the financial services industry at risk of losing key talent?
- What actions can firms take to minimize their risk of attrition?

For example, the survey revealed that 56% of respondents were considering a change in their employers going into 2012. However, it was the underlying gap between those who wanted to make a change and those who have actually executed on that desire over the past several years that indicates a trend towards pent up demand, or a high volatility index, for these industry leaders.

In this year's study, there are indications of not only career fatigue from this highly optimistic talent pool, but the data collected also suggests a risk of flight from the financial services industry altogether.

At The Kathy Freeman Company, this research supports the daily conversations we have with senior leadership across the country. Namely, that this high performing talent pool needs a forum from which to make a difference.

Ms. Freeman suggests that, "The firms within the investment industry, either those who manage money or those who are service providers to the investment industry, that are looking to either attract or retain the top performers in their sales and marketing ranks will need to demonstrate forward thinking momentum in their organizations." She adds, "The risk of inaction for these firms is significant."

"If senior executives are not careful, when the competition crafts their growth initiative and reaches out to the best and brightest in the financial services community, their ability to make that Should I Stay or Should I Go Now? decision won't be at all difficult to do", she concludes.

To access the 2012 research paper, Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?, visit www.kathyfreemanco.com or call 800 883 3232

The Kathy Freeman Company has earned a reputation over the past two decades, as a trusted resource providing retained executive search services exclusively within the investment industry. Working in a consultative partnership with her clients since 1992, Kathy's extensive process has been proven effective over multiple market cycles and crisis events, to identify, attract, assess and secure the most highly skilled and impactful sales and marketing executives.