---
title: The Executive Brief Blog
---

[![kystone](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/Keystone%20Executive%20Search%20/Keystone_exec_search_logo@2x.svg)](http://www.keystonesearch.com/)

# The Executive Brief

[![Culture Still Matters](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/culture.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/culture-still-matters)

## [Culture Still Matters](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/culture-still-matters)

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/culture-still-matters)

[Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) [Core Values](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/core-values) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture)

[![The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/blog%20images/purple_squirrel.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-5-key-checkpoints-for-evaluating-integrators)

## [The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-5-key-checkpoints-for-evaluating-integrators)

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-5-key-checkpoints-for-evaluating-integrators)

[Visionary](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [EOS](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos) [Evaluation](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/evaluation) [Hiring](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) [Integrator](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator)

[![Challenges and Successes as an ESOP CEO](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/building-a-strong-team-wooden-blocks-with-people-icon-on-pink-human-picture-id1227412970.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/new-esop-ceo-2)

## [Challenges and Successes as an ESOP CEO](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/new-esop-ceo-2)

KeyStone Search placed this impressive President and CEO just four months ago and we checked in to see how they were adjusting to life with an ESOP. They were kind enough to give us insight into the challenges they are overcoming and how the organization's mission to help people is at the core of ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/new-esop-ceo-2)

[ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) [Private Companies](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies) [CEO Transition](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/ceo-transition)

[![New to ESOP - One CEO's Experience](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/executive-general-director-wooden-cubes-and-many-cubes-around-picture-id1213305169.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/new-esop-ceo)

## [New to ESOP - One CEO's Experience](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/new-esop-ceo)

In 2017, as part of a [CEO succession strategy](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/8-questions-to-ask-while-preparing-for-ceo-succession-in-your-esop), KeyStone Search had the privilege of recruiting a President & CEO to take over from the founder. Being new to an ESOP, there were some critical learnings that have shaped their leadership. We checked in three years later to see how it is going and what ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/new-esop-ceo)

[ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) [Private Companies](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies) [CEO Transition](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/ceo-transition)

[![ESOP Board Search Q&A](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/group-business-meeting-in-office-conference-room-picture-id637901976.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/esop-board-search)

## [ESOP Board Search Q&A](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/esop-board-search)

A KeyStone Search Executive Recruiter sat down with our CEO Mike Frommelt to discuss a recent Board search for an ESOP client. Here's their conversation...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/esop-board-search)

[ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) [Private Companies](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies) [Board of Directors](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/board-of-directors)

[![Equity or Not](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/concept-idea-of-fed-federal-reserve-system-is-the-central-banking-of-picture-id1182378270.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/equity-or-not)

## [Equity or Not](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/equity-or-not)

One question I’m frequently asked by owners considering a high-level hire (President/Integrator/COO) is whether or not *equity* will be necessary to land an exceptional candidate.

My quick answer is the following: “Except for a few rare circumstances, a *real* equity package is not a good idea for ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/equity-or-not)

[Visionary](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary) [EOS](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos) [Integrator](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator) [Private Companies](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies)

[![Hiring an Integrator?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202021-06-16%20at%203.13.07%20PM.png) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hiring-an-integrator)

## [Hiring an Integrator?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hiring-an-integrator)

Before hiring an Integrator, it's essential that you get clear on what will move the dial before jumping in. Hiring a great Integrator is literally a game changer for any business. [When you get the right one for you](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/damn-glad-i-got-my-integrator), the sky is the limit. Unfortunately, in our discussions with Visionaries across ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hiring-an-integrator)

[Visionary](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary) [EOS](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos) [Integrator](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator)

[![EOS Worldwide® Conference 2020 Recap](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/EOS%20Conference%20is%20going%20Virtual.jpeg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/eos-worldwide-conference-2020)

## [EOS Worldwide® Conference 2020 Recap](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/eos-worldwide-conference-2020)

Risk and entrepreneurship go hand in hand. So, it’s not surprising [EOS Worldwide®](http://www.eosworldwide.com), a company dedicated to serving entrepreneurs would take some risks from time to time. In late March, EOS decided to take an enormous risk regarding their annual conference. When the live event had to be shut down due ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/eos-worldwide-conference-2020)

[Visionary](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary) [EOS](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos) [Integrator](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator)

[![Damn glad I got my Integrator!](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/text-gratitude-typed-on-retro-typewriter-picture-id859494492.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/damn-glad-i-got-my-integrator)

## [Damn glad I got my Integrator!](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/damn-glad-i-got-my-integrator)

A number of years ago another entrepreneur turned me on to the practice of “[daily gratitude](https://www.happify.com/hd/the-science-behind-gratitude/)” - taking a few minutes every morning to acknowledge what is GOOD in your life and in your business. 

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/damn-glad-i-got-my-integrator)

[Visionary](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary) [EOS](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos) [Integrator](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator)

[![Is your ESOP Equipped for Growth?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/generating-growth-by-joining-forces-picture-id629358800.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/is_your_esop_equipped_for_growth)

## [Is your ESOP Equipped for Growth?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/is_your_esop_equipped_for_growth)

I’ve yet to meet any business leader who says, “We’re not planning to grow, it’s just not important to our company.” To stay in business there has to be a focus on continually moving the company forward. Of course, CEO’s and the quality of the leadership teams they build, play an absolutely ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/is_your_esop_equipped_for_growth)

[Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) [ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop)

[All posts](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/all) [Next](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/page/2)

### How aligned are you?

[![Is Your Leadership Team Aligned on Your Core Vlaues?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/General%20Content%20Assets/Core%20Values%20Assessment/KS_Sidebar_CTA_Core_Values_Assessment@2x.png?width=758&height=750&name=KS_Sidebar_CTA_Core_Values_Assessment@2x.png)](https://explore.keystonesearch.com/core-values-assessment)

[Take our Core Values Assessment](https://explore.keystonesearch.com/core-values-assessment) so you can create a great culture and acquire the right talent.

### Recent Posts

[![Culture Still Matters](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/culture.jpg)

### Culture Still Matters

January 31, 2023

](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/culture-still-matters)

[![The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/blog%20images/purple_squirrel.jpg)

### The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators

January 10, 2023

](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-5-key-checkpoints-for-evaluating-integrators)

[![Challenges and Successes as an ESOP CEO](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/building-a-strong-team-wooden-blocks-with-people-icon-on-pink-human-picture-id1227412970.jpg)

### Challenges and Successes as an ESOP CEO

October 21, 2020

](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/new-esop-ceo-2)

### Categories

- [Culture (18)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture)
- [ESOP (15)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop)
- [Executive Leadership (15)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership)
- [EOS (14)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos)
- [Integrator (13)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator)
- [Visionary (13)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary)
- [Hiring (11)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring)
- [Leadership (10)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership)
- [Executive Search (9)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-search)
- [Private Companies (7)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies)
- [Evaluation (6)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/evaluation)
- [Retained Executive Search (6)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/retained-executive-search)
- [Core Values (4)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/core-values)
- [Board of Directors (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/board-of-directors)
- [CEO Transition (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/ceo-transition)
- [Executive Recruiting (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-recruiting)
- [Keystone Updates (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/keystone-updates)
- [Strategy (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/strategy)
- [CEO Succession (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/ceo-succession)
- [Communication (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/communication)
- [Human Resources (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/human-resources)
- [Mental Horsepower (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/mental-horsepower)
- [Succession (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/succession)

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