Graham Halonen

Key Takeaways: Why are the first 90 days so important for a new technology executive? The first 90 days establish trust, priorities, communication patterns, and leadership credibility that often determine long-term success. What should happen before the executive’s first day? Organizations should align on the executive’s mandate, success metrics, key business priorities, technology risks, and

Key Takeaways: What is the difference between retained and contingency search? Contingency search focuses on candidate placement, while retained search provides a structured process that includes role definition, market mapping, assessment, and stakeholder alignment. When is retained search worth the investment? Retained search is often the best choice when a role is strategic, confidential, difficult

Key Takeaways: Why do PE-backed companies need a specialized technology search partner? Technology leaders directly influence growth, operational efficiency, cybersecurity, AI readiness, and exit value. Hiring decisions should be evaluated through a value creation lens, not just a recruiting lens. What should PE firms look for in an executive search partner? The best search partners

Key Takeaways: Why is hiring the wrong technology executive so costly? Because the impact extends far beyond compensation and recruiting fees. A misaligned technology leader can delay strategic initiatives, weaken team performance, reduce board confidence, and slow value creation. Is a failed executive hire always a talent issue? Not necessarily. Many failed hires occur because