How We Cracked One of Our Most Challenging CEO Searches

Ever tried finding someone who's part medical expert, part inventor, and part government relations guru – all wrapped up in an entrepreneurial spirit? That's exactly the challenge we faced at Arthan when a pioneering MedTech enterprise approached us for their India CEO search.

Here's how we turned this seemingly impossible task into a success story.

Not Your Average Executive Search

Let's be honest – this wasn't just challenging; it was like solving a complex puzzle where all pieces needed to fit perfectly. Here's what we were up against:

• A leadership team sitting halfway across the world in the USA (hello, late-night Zoom calls!
• The need for someone who wasn't just a healthcare veteran, but ideally had invented medical devices (talk about raising the bar!)
• Someone who could smoothly navigate the corridors of government offices while being equally comfortable in hospital boardrooms
• A leader ready to roll up their sleeves and build something from scratch (because yes, there was no team in place)

Getting Scientific About People

We knew gut feeling alone wouldn't cut it. So we got creative:

• Deep Dive into the Talent Pool: We mapped out every corner of India's medical technology and healthcare sectors. No stone left unturned!
• Personality Science: We partnered with the partner organisation to bring in personality testing – because when you're hiring someone to build your entire India operations, you want to be really, really sure.
• The Entrepreneurial Litmus Test: We needed someone who could wear multiple hats – CEO on Monday, sales representative on Tuesday, and maybe even office manager on Wednesday!

The Numbers Tell the Story

Here's what our search looked like in numbers (for all you data enthusiasts out there):

• 85 potential candidates identified (each one a potential needle in our haystack)
• 30 days of intensive outreach (our phones were very busy!)
• 10 candidates who took the leap and formally applied
• 2 outstanding finalists who made it to the last round

Making the Final Round Actually Final

We spiced up the final selection process with:

• Vision presentations (because PowerPoint skills matter, right?)
• Role-play exercises (yes, we made senior executives role-play – and they loved it!)
• A united panel of Arthan and the partner organisation's leadership team members (more perspectives = better decisions)

Keeping the Flame Alive

Ever tried keeping someone excited about a new job for 6 months? That was our next challenge! We:

• Kept the conversation flowing during the notice period
• Made sure our candidate remained as excited on day 180 as they were on day 1
• Planned a smooth transition that wouldn't feel like jumping onto a moving train

The Sweet Taste of Success

The results? They speak for themselves:

• Wrapped up the search in 4 months (speed dating, but make it professional!)
• Got everyone to say "YES!" to the final candidate (unanimous decisions are the best!)
• Created a selection process so good, the partner organisation wanted to use it again
• Happy partner organisation, happy candidate, happy Arthan team!

What We Learned

This search taught us that even the most challenging requirements can be met with the right mix of creativity, persistence, and methodology. It's not just about finding a leader; it's about finding the right leader who can turn vision into reality.

Sometimes the best candidates are hiding in plain sight – you just need to know where to look and how to spot them. And when you do find them, magic happens!

Want to know more about how we can help you find your next leadership star? Drop us a line – we love a good challenge!