Research Focuses on How Highest-Performing Organizations are Transforming Amid Rapid Change

New research by Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) points to key priorities of leaders of organizations on this year’s list of FORTUNE’s World’s Most Admired Companies (WMAC). The research focuses on the steps high-performing organizations are taking to transform their workforces for performance and growth amid an environment of rapid-fire change.

The World’s Most Admired Companies rankings are the definitive benchmark on corporate reputation. Korn Ferry has collaborated with FORTUNE annually since 1997 to identify, select and rank the WMACs and uncover the business practices that make these companies both highly regarded and successful.

Most Admired Companies are defined as scoring in the top half of their industries on overall reputation, with peer companies scoring in the bottom half.

The research finds that:

• Relative to peer companies, WMACs excel at hiring the right people, developing them for new and different work, and assessing employees’ real performance.
• In preparing for future workforce needs, WMACs are forward looking. They are more likely to practice robust scenario planning and plan to continue doing so in the future. They are more likely to have defined people needs across a 2-to-5 year horizon rather than during the next year only.
• In hiring both leaders and employees (non-leaders) in the future, WMACs will place more emphasis on learning agility and curiosity over career history and experiences.

“During the last year, organizations have faced unprecedented changes and challenges,” said Korn Ferry Associate Client Partner Mark Royal. “The companies that have met the situation with agility and a fierce focus on hiring, developing and retaining the right people are the ones that will survive and thrive.”

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers.

Media Contact:

Tracy Kurschner

Tracy.kurschner@kornferry.com

612.309.3957