Latest news with #KornFerry
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gen Z and boomers are driving a leadership vacuum that's threatening productivity and morale at work
A perfect storm may soon hit leadership in corporate America, with baby boomers retiring and Gen Z unenthused about climbing the career ladder. However, experts argue that slashing development budgets and stereotyping young people as lazy is only making matters worse. Who wants to be the boss anymore? According to the headlines, not Gen Z. The bright young minds of tomorrow are just not striving to climb the corporate ladder as much as their older colleagues, but it's not coming from a lack of interest in management. Instead, a generational disconnect in how leaders should wield their power is to blame. Gen Z employees are concerned about leadership's basic interpersonal skills, and nearly half of them want better communication and teamwork training, according to a recent Korn Ferry report. Major companies like Amazon are cutting middle manager roles, leaving early-career employees left without a model of leadership pathways. About 41% of employees say that their organizations have done away with middle management, according to the same Korn Ferry report. The pool of future leaders continues to shrink, with layoff uncertainty and disengagement leading to low morale among workers just getting their feet wet in the working world. Over half of Gen Z employees don't even want to become managers, according to recruitment company Robert Walters. After seeing their bosses get burned out and laid off, it's not surprising that the youngest generation of workers doesn't want the same fate. As boomers look to hang up their badges and retire, this growing leadership vacuum threatens the modern workforce. Katie Trowbridge, a multi-generational workplace strategist, is trying to help bridge the leadership gap. She spent twenty-three years as an educator, working with millennials and Gen Zers and identifying their core values, how they work best, and what motivates them. '[Younger generations] want to have a purpose, and they want to see how what they're doing matters and has relevancy,' she tells Fortune. Trowbridge argues that this mindset can differ from their predecessors, many of whom were taught to 'put your head down and get to work.'Young people lead with curiosity, Trowbridge argues, and that curiosity should be fostered, not discouraged. She stresses that leaders are failing to coach young staffers because they're buying into stereotypes around Gen Z's work ethic. 'We tag them as lazy. They're not lazy. They are far from being lazy. They just are curious and they want knowledge,' she says. 'They're just asking us to teach them how to do it.' While Gen Z may be asking, Trowbridge doesn't believe that today's leaders are answering. Corporate investment in leadership development has been dropping substantially, with average budgets dropping 70% from January 2023 to January 2024, according to recent data from LEADx. Budgets have slipped even further, with a 15% drop from January 2024 to the same time this year. Leaders shouldn't assume that their workers have the same priorities as they do, especially when it comes to work-life balance. Trowbridge notes that long gone are the days when a job takes precedence over all else. 'One of the things that millennials and Gen Zers are getting right is that they are not allowing work to be the thing that defines them.' It is in the best interest of current leaders to abandon much of the rigidity that has defined work culture for the past few decades, she argues. Another solution that Trowbridge touts is thinking small. Gen Z workers are leaning more and more into the gig economy, and one way to gain back trust is to run individual departments as their own small businesses, with a more personalized approach that emphasizes individual career growth. '[Companies are] going to have to make sure that there's that mentorship, that coaching going on, that there is that connection [and] team building really happening.' This story was originally featured on
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
1 Cash-Heavy Stock with Exciting Potential and 2 to Avoid
A cash-heavy balance sheet is often a sign of strength, but not always. Some companies avoid debt because they have weak business models, limited expansion opportunities, or inconsistent cash flow. Not all businesses with cash are winners, and that's why we built StockStory - to help you separate the good from the bad. That said, here is one company with a net cash position that balances growth with stability and two with hidden risks. Net Cash Position: $80.24 million (15.2% of Market Cap) Created through a settlement between NRG Energy and the California Public Utilities Commission, EVgo (NASDAQ:EVGO) is a provider of electric vehicle charging solutions, operating fast charging stations across the United States. Why Does EVGO Worry Us? Historically negative EPS raises concerns for risk-averse investors and makes its earnings potential harder to gauge Cash-burning history makes us doubt the long-term viability of its business model Depletion of cash reserves could lead to a fundraising event that triggers shareholder dilution EVgo is trading at $3.95 per share, or 33.4x forward EV-to-EBITDA. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why EVGO doesn't pass our bar. Net Cash Position: $385.6 million (10.9% of Market Cap) With clients including 97% of the S&P 100 and operations in 103 offices across 51 countries, Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) is a global consulting firm that helps organizations design optimal structures, recruit talent, develop leaders, and create effective compensation strategies. Why Do We Think KFY Will Underperform? Sales tumbled by 2% annually over the last two years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle Demand will likely be soft over the next 12 months as Wall Street's estimates imply tepid growth of 1.4% Earnings per share decreased by more than its revenue over the last two years, showing each sale was less profitable At $68.29 per share, Korn Ferry trades at 13.3x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than KFY. Net Cash Position: $744,000 (0.1% of Market Cap) Established in 1901, Limbach (NASDAQ: LMB) provides integrated building systems solutions, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services. Why Is LMB on Our Radar? Operating margin expansion of 5.3 percentage points over the last five years shows the company optimized its expenses Incremental sales over the last two years have been highly profitable as its earnings per share increased by 53.3% annually, topping its revenue gains Industry-leading 22.9% return on capital demonstrates management's skill in finding high-return investments, and its rising returns show it's making even more lucrative bets Limbach's stock price of $127.50 implies a valuation ratio of 30.7x forward P/E. Is now a good time to buy? See for yourself in our in-depth research report, it's free. Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Courageous Cultures Outperform Safe Ones
Woman hands on hips. Unlocking collective potential requires instilling courage at scale. Let's be honest—we're operating in a world that would make even the most seasoned business veterans feel like they're flying blind. Generative AI is reshaping entire industries overnight. Geopolitical tensions are rewriting supply chains. Market volatility has become the only constant. But here's what keeps me up at night, and what should be keeping you up too: the biggest threat to your organization isn't coming from the outside. It's brewing quietly within your own walls, in every meeting where brilliant ideas go unspoken, in every moment when your people choose safety over truth. It's fear. And it's costing you more than you realize. When fear becomes the driving force behind decisions, it doesn't just shut down potential—it systematically dismantles your competitive advantage. I've witnessed it countless times: organizations where employees tiptoe around tough conversations, where innovation dies in committee rooms, where the status quo becomes a fortress rather than a launching pad. The numbers tell a stark story. Research shared in Korn Ferry's 2025 Global Insights Report reveals that 69% of employees withhold their ideas due to fear of rejection or ridicule. Think about that for a moment—nearly seven out of ten people in your organization are sitting on potentially game-changing insights because they're afraid of looking foolish. As I wrote in The Courage Gap: But it gets worse. When McKinsey studied psychological safety in the workplace, they found that 85% of employees don't feel comfortable challenging their manager, even when pressured to act unethically. We're not just talking about missed opportunities here; we're talking about cultures that inadvertently enable poor judgment and ethical blind spots. Harvard's Robert Kegan puts it brilliantly in his research: employees spend enormous energy trying to "look good" rather than being good at what they do. This self-protective behavior doesn't just waste time—it creates the very vulnerabilities organizations are trying to avoid. Now, before you roll your eyes and think this is some touchy-feely leadership fluff, let me share what happens when organizations flip the script and make courage their competitive strategy. Companies that prioritize psychological safety and courageous leadership report 30% higher levels of innovation and 40% greater employee engagement, according to Korn Ferry's research. Google's Project Aristotle found that psychological safety was the single most important factor distinguishing high-performing teams from the rest. This isn't about creating a warm, fuzzy workplace where everyone gets a participation trophy. This is about building an environment where your smartest people feel safe to challenge assumptions, where failure becomes fuel for innovation, and where calculated risks are celebrated, not punished. I'll never forget sitting in a town hall meeting where an employee asked about a recent CRM system failure. The CEO's response? Defensive dismissal, treating the question as trivial compared to "bigger challenges." In that moment, he didn't just shut down one person—he sent a clear message to everyone in that room that discussing failures was off-limits. Contrast that with leaders who say, "Here's what we tried, here's how it went sideways, and here's what we learned." When you normalize failure as part of innovation, you give your team permission to take the very risks that create breakthrough moments. Creating psychological safety isn't about lowering standards—it's about raising the quality of conversations. When people feel secure enough to admit what they don't know, to challenge decisions respectfully, and to surface problems early, you're not just building trust. You're building an early warning system that prevents small issues from becoming expensive disasters. Here's the truth that many organizations miss: courage is learnable. It's not some mystical quality that people either have or don't have. Research from the Center for Creative Leadership shows that organizations investing in courage-building leadership development see 25% improvement in decision-making speed and 35% better crisis response. It's why courage is not a 'nice to have' in today's business landscape—it's non-negotiable. Yet its also far from the norm. When I work with executive teams, I often ask them to calculate the cost of their organization's fear - the hidden, often delayed or usually imperceptible 'timidity tax' being exacted across their organization. How many ideas never made it to the table? How many problems festered because no one wanted to be the bearer of bad news? How many talented people walked away because they felt voiceless? How many people didn't go the extra mile because they had become so jaded by the lack of honesty and courage of those at the top? The cost is as immeasurable as the math is sobering. But the flip side—the ROI of courage—is equally compelling. Organizations with courageous cultures don't just weather storms better; they use volatility as a competitive advantage. They make faster decisions because people aren't paralyzed by perfectionism. They innovate more boldly because failure isn't career suicide. Most importantly, they attract and retain the bold thinking, risk-ready kind of talent that thrives on challenge and drives results. Building a culture of courage won't happen overnight, and it certainly won't happen by accident. It requires leaders who are willing to go first—to model vulnerability, to celebrate intelligent failures, and to consistently choose truth over comfort. The question isn't whether your organization needs more courage. The question is whether you're brave enough to build it. Because in today's business landscape, the organizations that thrive won't be the ones that played it safest and stuck with old paradigms that enabled fear to flourish and hold potential dormant. They'll be the ones that dared to unlock the full potential of their people. That's not just good leadership. That's smart business. Dr Margie Warrell is a leadership advisor and keynote speaker focused on emboldening braver leaders for better outcomes on every measure that matters. Her latest book is The Courage Gap. Follow on LinkedIn.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pro golf tour adding multi-year stop in Midlands. Here are the details
Professional golf is coming to the Midlands next year. The Korn Ferry Tour is bringing an event to Woodcreek Golf Club in Elgin, 20 miles east of Columbia. The Colonial Life Charity Classic will be May 11-17, 2026. An agreement is in place to have the event there for five years with Colonial Life as the title sponsor. It will be held the week after the PGA Tour's Myrtle Beach Classic this year. Advertisement An official announcement was made Friday afternoon with Korn Ferry president Alex Baldwin, City of Columbia mayor Daniel Rickenmann and state senators and representatives in attendance. 'This is going to have an incredible impact across our community,' Rickenmann said. '… We are talking about seven to eight million dollars (per year) in our community. It also exposes our junior golfers that there is an opportunity, allowing them to be next to the next Scottie Scheffler or Justin Thomas or whoever their hero is. 'It also gives people an opportunity to explore the Midlands and get to see what we have in Richland County … and experience what we all know is a great community right here.' The tournament will also have a charitable element, with proceeds going to the United Way. Advertisement The Korn Ferry Tour, which was started in 1990, is a developmental league for the PGA Tour. In 2024, 30 Korn Ferry golfers earned PGA Tour cards. Some of the notable Korn Ferry Tour alumni include Scheffler, a three-time major winner, as well as Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Jason Day, Zach Johnson, Bubba Watson and Tony Finau. According to Baldwin, 82 percent of current PGA Tour members have played on the Korn Ferry Tour. 'You walk in the room here and five minutes here you can feel the excitement. I know we got a membership that is champing at the bit to be involved. And we couldn't be more excited,' Baldwin said. This will be the Korn Ferry Tour's second event in South Carolina. The BMW Charity Pro-Am is held at the Thornblade Club in Greer. The also is an event in Raleigh, North Carolina, on the Tour's 26-event schedule. Advertisement South Carolina also has two PGA Tour events — The RBC in Hilton Head Island and the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic. 'Love of being a native of Columbia and proud of what is going on in this state. But there is a void in the Midlands for golf and didn't have a significant event,' Eventus CEO/president Gene Hallman said. 'We want to make this more than a golf tournament. We want to make it a social event.' Hallman, an Irmo High graduate who got his masters at the University of South Carolina, founded Eventus and his company will oversee everything that goes on with the tournament outside of the ropes. He said plans are for various events during the week of the tournament such as concerts, celebrity pro-am and junior golf clinics. Former PGA Tour and Korn Ferry player Chris Baker will be the tournament's director. Baker, an Iowa native, is recently retired from professional golf and lives at Woodcreek. Baker is thought to be the first former golfer to be a director of a professional golf event. Advertisement Hallman's company has overseen events on the LPGA Tour, Champions Tour and United States golf events such as the U.S. Women's Open, US Senior Open and Walker Cup. His Alabama-based company also brought the Southeastern Conference baseball tournament to Hover, Alabama. So, Hallman got the ball rolling on bringing the event to the Midlands. He made a phone call to his college buddy and former Hammond basketball coach Mark McClam and then Colonial Life president Tim Arnold on Jan. 11 to kick things off. Things went quickly from there and were wrapped up in April. Once the sponsorship was secure, talks started with the PGA/Korn Ferry Tour began to ramp up. The Tour has 26 events and won't add any more. So, the Colonial Life Charity Classic will replace a current event on Korn Ferry's 26-event schedule. The final piece was to secure the course to host an event of this stature. A call went out to Woodcreek owner Harold Pickrel, who bought the course5 1/2years ago and continued to make upgrades. Advertisement Woodcreek Golf Club opened in 1997 and was designed by Tom Fazio. The course has hosted some mini tour events such as Hooters Tour and statewide golf events, but none of this magnitude. Pickrel was definitely on board with it. He already has invested $5 million in the course and likely $2 million more to fine-tune some things, including building an amphitheater next to the clubhouse. 'I was quite honored to be offered an opportunity to host an event like this,' Pickrel said. 'We call this course one of the best-kept secrets around. To have a chance to show off our course to some of the best players in the world and other people to see it is special. It gives us notoriety.'
Entrepreneur
27-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Korn Ferry (KFY): Strong Buy Stock with NO Tariff Risk
There is a lot to like about Korn Ferry (KFY) as a prime investment in the year ahead. Best of which may be how it completely avoids all the current... This story originally appeared on WallStreetZen Korn Ferry (KFY) concentrates in two business areas that carry no tariff risk. Gladly there are 115 other reasons to like this stock (spoiler: I am talking about the 115 factor analysis of the Zen Ratings that points to this stock as being an A rated Stong Buy). Beyond their core consulting business, the real strength of the firm is their focus on executive recruiting. The best part of that story is that executive recruiting is a great counter cyclical industry. Meaning that there is often heavier executive turnover during the rough times than during the good times. This helps alleviate some concerns for owning KFY if indeed we are devolving into a recession as many worry about given recent economic weakness. On the other hand, they are having no problem at all finding growth during the good times like the expected 15% earnings growth this year which is about twice the pace of the average US company. Plus, as mentioned above, this is a business model that pretty well escapes tariffs which gives greater clarity into their future earnings prospects. Our Zen Ratings quant model has placed KFY in the top 5% of all stocks earning the coveted A rating which equates to a Strong Buy. Historically that has pointed to stocks that have more than tripled the return of the overall market. In particular what jumps off the page is the top 2% reading for Safety which is a great quality to have during these volatile times. Also good to note that it's in the top 8% for Value and top 14% for Financials. Strong Financials is one of the best predictors of future earnings beats as shared in this recent article: Boring Financials Point Way to Excited Stock Gains! This top 14% Financial reading means KFY is a very well run company which shows up in a string of 10 straight earnings beats…and increases the odds of more beats on the way. Indeed the Wall Street analyst community also smiles on shares with an average target price of $80 and a street high of $83. That upside value squares up well with that top 8% reading for Zen Rating Value score. This feels like exactly the kind of stock to buy given the mixed economic outlook thanks to the uncertainty of tariffs. Plus the unique focus of the company (executive recruiting) that should help shares outperform in the good days or the bad. What To Do Next? Korn Ferry (KFY) is just one of the stellar 18 stocks found in my Zen Investor portfolio. I pick these stocks based upon their attractiveness in our proven Zen Ratings model. Plus keying in on lessons learned over my 45 year investing career. Over that time I have seen 7 bear markets, 8 bull markets, and just about everything between. This has helped me pick some stellar stocks in 2025 even in the face of this volatile market. Plus I will soon be adding 2 new stocks on Wednesday June 4th. The only way to see these top picks is to become a Zen Investor member. Gladly that is a very simple process. And right now comes with the ability to save up to 50% on your membership. Discover the Zen Investor & My Top Stocks Now > Wishing you a world of investment success! Steve Reitmeister…but everyone calls me Reity (pronounced 'Righty') Editor of the Zen Investor What to Do Next?
