The Americas
W W W . S I G N I U M . C O M
G L O B A L
E X E C U T I V E
S O L U T I O N S
W W W . S I G N I U M . C O M
Europe/Africa
MANAGEMENT AUDIT
T H E C R U C I A L T O O L F O R C O R P O R AT I O N S
In the course of time many companies are
confronted with the question whether the
present management team meets the business
requirements of the future and is prepared to
successfully manage the challenges of increasing
business complexity and competition. Without
doubt the top management has been gaining
valuable experience as to the performance of the
executives of the company over many years.
However, usually there is the distinct in-house
and subjective appraisal perception of the
individual managers.
Furthermore each company has been creating its
own specific culture over many years which
makes judgement sometimes difficult. State-of-
the-art top executives have realized the
relevance of management audits to clearly
display the track records of their core team
members. The accomplishment of systematic
management audits are very often caused by
major changes in the businesses as such
1. Change in Top Management
It is most useful for the Managing Director or
CEO joining a new company to get the objective
and qualified picture as to the strengths, chances
and risks of his management team.
150 N. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 1040, CHICAGO, IL 60606 USA
Asia Pacific
By Horst Neller
Managing Partner,
Signium International
Düsseldorf Germany
2. Mergers & Acquisitions
The accomplishment of management audits
represents the objective as well as credible tool
to identify the best qualified managers out of
competing management teams.
3. Succession Planning
Both internal and external candidates are
audited to choose “the best”.
4. Restructuring / Strategic Alignment
Drastic dynamics in business bring about vital
risks and chances The success of the corporation
does depend on the performance and potential
of the complete executive team.
By using the tool Management Audit risks will be
minimized and changes exploited.
+ T: +1 (312) 564 5890 + F: +1 (312) 564 5895
 The Americas Europe/Africa
MANAGEMENT AUDIT
T H E C R U C I A L T O O L F O R C O R P O R AT I O N S
HOW TO DEFINE MANAGEMENT AUDIT
Management Audit is the systematic recognition,
analysis and assessment of competencies and
the actual behaviour of both individual
executives as well as complete executive teams
particularly with regard to the business' strategic
requirements. The basis of Management Audit is
structured interviews and reference checks
conducted by external experts to be documented
in expert opinions.
Management Audits focus on personal attributes
and business skills.
Personal attributes can be subdivided into:
+ Ethical values and attitudes
+ Intellectual Capability
+ Charisma
THE AUDIT TEAM
Normally the Management Audit Team consists
of two Executive Search Consultants. It is
prerequisite to the success of the process that
the consultants involved are industry- and
management- as well as executive search
experienced. They must be capable to understand
the client's business and strategy and the need
to have a good view as to the market and
competitive scenario.
150 N. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 1040, CHICAGO, IL 60606 USA
Asia Pacific
W W W . S I G N I U M . C O M
+ C O N T.
Business skills can be subdivided into:
+ Professional and methodical competencies
+ Leadership behaviour
+ Entrepreneurship
As psychological tests cannot adequately cope
with above mentioned criteria (issues) the
Management Audit should be conducted by
experienced and well-trained interviewers. It is
the objective of the process not to assess the
individual manager in isolation but in context to
their competitors and comparable roles outside
the company. This benchmark information is most
valuable and delivers conclusions as to the
effectiveness of the management team.
It is important to give clients and candidates
confidence and trust in process and people.
G L O B A L
If these preconditions are met, Management
Audits will bring remarkable added value to
E X E C U T I V E
companies.
S O L U T I O N S
+ T: +1 (312) 564 5890 + F: +1 (312) 564 5895 W W W . S I G N I U M . C O M