“In the future, executive search activities will involve those in the market as serious players”, says José Caetano da Silva, Managing Partner at Talent Search.

... For José Caetano da Silva, Managing Partner at Talent Search, the slowdown is reflected in all sectors: “We are facing a slowdown in decisions”. And he explains: “Our clients want to start projects, but the moment is not favourable and they end up putting them off.”

... And in his own cutting style Caetano da Silva from Talent Search attacks: “This is also due to the paralysis affecting Portugal.”

... José Caetano da Silva is more sceptical: “There are two types of threats: positive and negative.” Starting with the optimistic: “There will be an optimisation of attitude in this activity. In other words, given this situation only the best will survive.” Negative threats concern the bad performance of the Portuguese market: “The risk of companies sticking to low prices, regardless of the service provided, in which case they may neglect quality”, he explains. “It is not possible to have a Ferrari for 2 million escudos. And in this market some crazy things are done to attract clients”, he finishes, with a touch of humour.

Amrop and Talent Search do not apply cost control measures, but instead optimisation. José Caetano da Silva explains: “We have signed contracts with private telecommunications operators, because we looked at the very high costs charged by PT.”

... Turning our back to the crisis, the future would appear to be rosy for the executive search companies. Why? There is general optimism. “In the future this activity will affect those who are in the market as serious players, and optimise those in the field”, says José Caetano da Silva.

... However, “this activity will suffer some changes. I believe that the price will tend to fall”, says Caetano da Silva.