- Employers Offering Leadership Development Opportunities Most Likely to Attract and Keep Top Talent  -

Singapore, March 7, 2006 -- Futurestep, the outsourced recruiting subsidiary of Korn/Ferry International (NYSE:KFY), a premier global provider of talent management solutions, today announced that a survey conducted in late February of over 400 mid-level professionals in Singapore found that 62% of them labeled themselves either “likely” or “highly likely” to change jobs this calendar year, even though that same percentage said their current job is at least “fairly” if not “very” secure.

Contributing to this were the respondents’ views on the state of the economy and job market in Asia over the next 12 months. While 35 percent felt the region is in the midst of a significant upswing that employees should take advantage of to fast-track their careers, 46 percent thought it is leveling off and thus they need to make the most of any opportunity that comes to them now. The remaining respondents said it is “as good as it’s going to get and may be poised for a downturn,” so people need to prepare for the future (14 percent), with 5 percent indicating that the sense of urgency to find a new job came from a belief that a significant correction is about to begin which would mitigate their bargaining power.

“It’s no secret that the attitudes of Singapore’s mid-level professionals are changing as they become more discriminating in how they plan and manage their career movements, looking not only at the internal culture of their current employer but also external market forces,” said Angelena Cala, Director, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, Futurestep. “More and more, multinationals and local companies alike are coming to us for guidance on how to deal with these new issues. Our deep understanding of the talent pool here allows us to partner with organizations to evaluate their HR strategies and create new ways to attract and keep the very best talents.”

Understanding Employee Attitudes is Key to Solving Talent Challenges
The survey illuminated some underlying employee frustrations that Futurestep consultants work with clients to proactively address, including the:

• Inability to Find Attractive Positions: 66 percent of those who responded to the survey said they have updated their CV in the last six months, with 90 percent of those who haven’t intending to do so this year. Over 40 percent said they are still with their current employer only because they have not seen a vacancy that interests them in recent months. Alarmingly, 20 percent expressed frustration at not being able to find a new job and described themselves as feeling “trapped” at their current company.
• Inadequate Opportunities for Development and Advancement: Less than 20 percent of the professionals surveyed felt there was a “strong” to “definite” possibility they would be promoted this year. But when asked what the most significant thing a potential employer could do to make them leave their current company, offering a higher position came in second (at 19 percent) to investing in their professional growth and development so they can become a more effective leader (over 38 percent). Likewise, 30 percent said this was the number one thing their current employer already is doing to keep them on board.

“A growing part of the end-to-end solutions that Futurestep offers companies struggling to find talent in Singapore is the development and execution of custom employer branding campaigns that will reach their target candidates in the most effective way,” Cala continued. “In addition, by taking a wholistic view of their company culture and HR policies, we work with them to plan for the creation of proactive development programs to foster employee loyalty.”

About the Survey
The online survey was the first in a series that Futurestep will be conducting across the Asia/Pacific region this year to keep abreast of trends in employee aspirations and behavior in each market. Respondents were drawn from the Company’s comprehensive candidate database and comprised middle management professionals across multiple industries.

About Korn/Ferry International
With more than 70 offices in 35 countries, Korn/Ferry opened its first office in Singapore in  1975. Based in Los Angeles, the firm partners with clients worldwide to deliver unparalleled senior-level search, management assessment, coaching and development, and outsourced recruitment services through its Futurestep subsidiary.
 
About Futurestep
Founded in 1998, Futurestep creates innovative and scalable recruitment and people solutions to meet clients’ unique talent needs. In addition to recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), the Company's portfolio of services includes managed services, project-based recruitment, interim solutions and mid-level talent search. With 32 offices in 17 countries worldwide, Futurestep now has a presence in the following countries across Asia/Pacific:  Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.
For more information, visit the Korn/Ferry International Web site at www.kornferry.com or the Futurestep Web site at www.futurestep.com.

Media Contact:
  
Marta Grutka
(65) 6231-6215
Marta.grutka@kornferry.com