Search Firm Hired?

[kenbuddha]

Is this real? Have the Twins actually hired a search firm to help them find a new Head of Baseball Operations (vs just a GM)?

 

https://twitter.com/RandBallsStu/status/758059802371031041

[Seth Stohs]

Here is the press release:

 

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today the franchise has retained Korn Ferry to assist the team in its search for new baseball operations leadership.

 

“The Twins are pleased to be working with Korn Ferry Sports on the search for a new leader of baseball operations,” Twins President Dave St. Peter said. “Korn Ferry has a long-term, proven record of success across the world of sports - including within Major League Baseball. Going forward, Korn Ferry’s expertise and experience will assist the Twins in our focus on finding the best candidate for this important role.”

 

Korn Ferry’s Global Sports Practice provides top talent recruitment and leadership development solutions for the world’s leading sports organizations. Korn Ferry’s recent executive search clients include the Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and MLB. www.kornferry.com

[Mr. Brooks]

Here is the press release:

 

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today the franchise has retained Korn Ferry to assist the team in its search for new baseball operations leadership.

 

“The Twins are pleased to be working with Korn Ferry Sports on the search for a new leader of baseball operations,” Twins President Dave St. Peter said. “Korn Ferry has a long-term, proven record of success across the world of sports - including within Major League Baseball. Going forward, Korn Ferry’s expertise and experience will assist the Twins in our focus on finding the best candidate for this important role.”

 

Korn Ferry’s Global Sports Practice provides top talent recruitment and leadership development solutions for the world’s leading sports organizations. Korn Ferry’s recent executive search clients include the Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and MLB. www.kornferry.com

Am I reading this right?

 

The Timberwolves actually paid someone to tell them to hire Thibbadeau?

 

That's one hell of a racket.

[drivlikejehu]

Good move by the club. At this level, search firms aren't necessarily focused on discovering candidates . . . it's about getting the right candidates involved in the process, and helping make sure the process is effective.

[kenbuddha]

I guess I'm encouraged by this. I may be naive but I assumed it would be some sort of internal set of Twins execs who were going to solicit resumes and wait for them to roll in or that they already had a few candidates in mind. Plus the fact that they aren't saying it's a search for a new GM, but rather a reference to a larger role.

 

They'd be in a better position if it was October and anyone involved with someone like the Cubs would be done with their season (why leave before then). Or maybe that's what Korn Ferry will recommend?

 

Anyways, I'm glad they're soliciting outside advisors on this decision.

[nicksaviking]

Am I reading this right?

The Timberwolves actually paid someone to tell them to hire Thibbadeau?

That's one hell of a racket.

Well it got Glen Taylor to break up the Country Club.

 

One down, one to go.

 

This is good news. This firm surely has a vested interest in the Twins succeeding based on their work as they can then tout that accomplishment. With that said, they'll likely suggest if not encourage Pohlad to hire a President of Baseball Operations who then can chose his or her own management structure. Hopefully they would then also back off of the Molitor guarantee and suggest waiting until after the season is over to get the best candidates available.

 

Basically, they can change perception after that awful press conference.

[SwainZag]

Oh God, if they pay a firm to help with the search and then hire in house.......the place is going to go up in flames

[Rosterman]

It's great to use a search firm, because THEY are approaching candidates and judging the interest. Even if you are under contract with someone, you can answer a search service call and say "yes, I'd consider....but I'm happy where I am because of this and that and where they are taking me...unless....."

 

It's not exactly like you are applying for the job. Plus the search company can get general feedback about the team doing the search, gauge the interest, see what might have to be offered in the grand scheme of things.

 

They do a lot of the work and can present different levels and packages you may be seeking and eliminate others.

 

Kinda like searching for free agents. You know about the team or player before actively pursuing them.

[PseudoSABR]

 

Oh God, if they pay a firm to help with the search and then hire in house.......the place is going to go up in flames

That seems doubtful at this point, doesn't it?

[SwainZag]

 

That seems doubtful at this point, doesn't it?

 

Very, but....I don't make assumptions anymore

[brvama]

Oh God, if they pay a firm to help with the search and then hire in house.......the place is going to go up in flames

That may be the reaction. However, search firms will usually consider in-house in their search. They will usually recommend several qualified candidates, or those that fit the position and organization, for the interview process.

[drivlikejehu]

The Twins most likely wouldn't pay a search firm so that they could hire Antony. It's not impossible, but he has to be considered a long-shot at this point.

[alarp33]

Anyone who was still concerned Antony might get the permanent job should take a deep sigh of relief.

 

Excellent news someone other than St. Peter or Pohlad will be finding the best candidates

[AlwaysinModeration]

This is great news. Signs pointing in the right direction towards new blood.

[old nurse]

Although the Brewers hired a GM from outside of the organization a lot of the previous key people still have roles with the club or were promoted.  A new leadership group does not necessarily mean a complete housecleaning.  Toronto  sort of pillaged the Indians for a front office.  Cleveland then just promoted from within maintaining the country club.

[Kwak]

 

It's great to use a search firm, because THEY are approaching candidates and judging the interest. Even if you are under contract with someone, you can answer a search service call and say "yes, I'd consider....but I'm happy where I am because of this and that and where they are taking me...unless....."

 

It's not exactly like you are applying for the job. Plus the search company can get general feedback about the team doing the search, gauge the interest, see what might have to be offered in the grand scheme of things.

 

They do a lot of the work and can present different levels and packages you may be seeking and eliminate others.

 

Kinda like searching for free agents. You know about the team or player before actively pursuing them.

+1.

There are also restrictions on contacts between one team and another's employees. The search firm avoids this because they can claim to be fishing for a new client to represent. They also serve as a "filter".

[bird]

Excellent.

[Vanimal46]

If this search firm works similarly to other search firms, there's 2 different types of ways they work with teams: on a contingency basis, or a retained search.

Contingency search means the Twins don't owe the search firm a dime for their efforts unless they select a candidate they presented. 

Retained means they pay a small percentage of the total fee up front, and if they select a candidate presented by this firm, they pay the rest. 

I assume for a search like this, they went with the retained search. 

[twinsnorth49]

Seems a whole lot better than Pohlad and St.Peter trying to bluff their way through the process. If all they end up doing is picking the worst of a good bunch, that's a good outcome.

[alskntwnsfn]

Why hire a search firm when they have media guides? 

[jimmer]

 

Why hire a search firm when they have media guides? 

ouch :-)