Company Info: Jay Gaines & Co.
Web site: www.jaygaines.com
Address: 450 Park Ave., Floor 5, New York, N.Y. 10022
Phone: 212-308-9222
E-mail: jgaines@jaygaines.com
Advice: Stand for something. Fundamental values still count and remain the drivers and/or differentiators for success. Relationships count more than people realize, particularly in the formative years. Stay with the fundamental principles of success elucidated in Good to Great. Don’t be distracted by ego or mega-wealth. It’s O.K. to be a little neurotic.
Qualities sought in emerging leaders: Superior reputation and performance in a relevant role and industry
Sector specialization: Financial services, banking and securities, asset management, transaction processing and business process outsourcing, information-based businesses, HR consulting
Job function specialization: General management, C-suite, IT, operations, finance, risk management
Geographical Focus: North America, Britain
Companies I often recruit for: Fidelity Investments ; Washington Mutual; Wellington Management ; Morgan Stanley ; Vanguard
Favorite historical figure: Abraham Lincoln
Education: Columbia Univ., MS, Industrial Psychology, 1970; George Washington Univ., BA, Psychology, 1968
Languages: English
Employment history: Jay Gaines & Co. 1982 to present; Oliver & Rozner, 1976-82; Halbrecht & Co., 1972-76; Teacher, New York City School System, 1968-72; Lecturer, Queensborough Community College
Other interests: Organizational behavior, assessment and selection, and value and performance in executive selection; boating; sports cars
Professional/Membership Affiliations: AESC
Experience in executive search consulting: 30+ years
High Profile Placement: CIO, Wellington Management, 2007
Other paths I might have pursued: Organizational development, clinical psychology, or law
The global business trend that will most influence corporate performance in the future: I believe outsourcing is still early in its evolution and impact on global performance. Outsourcing has expanded from commoditized back-office functions to core operations and administration. If, in the future, corporations retain in-house only what is proprietary and distinct to their business model or branding, the landscape and organization of business and the corporation will change significantly. As more functions and services consolidate and scale to compete globally, pricing and compensation may become commoditized and certain currently high-paying sectors (financial services and executive search) will find their margins squeezed even further. Achieving distinction in a world increasingly geared to efficiency will be a challenge.