STRATTON Case Study
Company: Playforce
Solution Type: Talent Management
Senior success
When an innovative and fast-growing company needed to find a senior player, they turned to Stratton.
The business
Playforce is a highly innovative business that designs and delivers a wide range of play equipment for the primary school market. From ‘wobble walkways' to climbing walls, Playforce's creative play equipment is designed to inspire children and stimulate their imaginations. As a result of their unique approach, Playforce was recognised in December 2007 and 2008 as one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100.
The challenges
After 10 years of trading, Playforce had established themselves as a major player in providing outdoor equipment for the 0-11 market. Their phenomenal growth impressed venture capital backers, who invested additional funding to accelerate Playforce's growth.
As part of this expansion strategy, the business required a board-level Operations Director to assist the Managing Director and senior team in delivering the business strategy and plan. The right individual needed to have the drive, passion and commercial experience to help take Playforce to the next level of growth.
The solutions
We were briefed and worked very closely with Playforce's MD to define the role spec and source a suitable candidate. Our in-depth understanding of the business and the role combined with our tried and tested project management approach ultimately saved our client significant time and effort.
The method
To successfully fill this key role, Stratton:
- Worked closely with the Senior Management team to produce a full job description and set up role- and sector-specific sourcing channels
- Gathered all CVs and conducted an initial screening assessment against agreed competencies detailed in the role specification
- Interviewed over 20 candidates against strict selection criteria on-site at Playforce, with all interviews carried out by a Stratton senior executive
- Developed a robust assessment process for the client involving multiple assessment tools, including online psychometric testing, competency-based interviews and presentation development based on a pre-agreed brief
- Shortlisted four candidates and co-ordinated a full assessment day involving the Chairman, MD and investor representatives
- Provided detailed feedback to the three shortlisted candidates on behalf of Playforce
- Managed the offer process
- Obtained complete references for Playforce and supported both the client and candidate until employment commenced
The results
The successful candidate was placed in the role just seven weeks after the initial brief.
We processed 160 applications, carried out 20 face-to-face interviews, and provided Playforce with four potential candidates. And we communicated with applicants throughout the entire process, from initial acknowledgement of receiving their CV to informing them of the eventual outcome. The process proved so successful that we've been asked to source a Sales and Marketing Director for the business also, and we are working on this currently.