Client Successes
Our Results Speak for Themselves
Why be an armchair psychologist when you can have an actual psychologist? We do things differently — and the outcomes reflect it.
Attrition reduction for a PE-backed company — 3X the Operating Partner's target, then replicated across the portfolio
Cost of a failed C-suite hire relative to salary — the risk our science is designed to eliminate before it hits your P&L
Deal offer secured after Lodestone's HC diligence surfaced risks a traditional financial review would have missed
Case Studies
Where the Science Hits the Scoreboard
Executive Assessment
Top Global PE Firm Selects CEOs Using Lodestone Science — Every Time
Nearly since our inception, one of the largest and oldest firms in the world has looked to Lodestone for C-suite assessments. They appreciate our thorough yet targeted, science-based assessments — and insights about an executive's likelihood of success in the target role — over other firms' clinical prose about the person's life history. As a result, Lodestone has provided insights on many individuals and PortCos across sectors within this firm, for both selection and development/succession planning.
“ Lodestone’s insights are worth their weight in gold. ”
Lead
Accelerating Leadership to Drive Immediate Business Impact
A global organization partnered with Lodestone to accelerate the development of high-potential directors and VPs, strengthening succession readiness and supporting rapid scale. Through the LEAD™ program, participants engaged in targeted assessment, development, and a business-critical action learning project.
Within one year, 25% of participants were promoted, reducing the need for external hires. The cohort delivered a Company Operating System that saved ~$500K in consulting costs, contributing to ~$1.4M in total impact and a 259% ROI.
Retained Partnership
PE Firm Retains Lodestone as Exclusive HC Advisor Across Their Entire Portfolio
As a result of a successful engagement in one portfolio company, a Lodestone client recognized the value of having Lodestone available for any Human Capital need across the entire portfolio. They retained us as their go-to for strategic consulting and execution on various initiatives — covering everything from selection to culture to leadership development.
“ Over the last couple of years, we've had an epiphany about the importance of everything Human Capital, and we know we aren't the experts at people. We'd like to retain you as our 'go-to. ”
HuCap Process Audit
Portfolio-Wide HC Audit Identifies Triage Priorities and Cuts Consulting Waste
A tech-focused PE firm engaged Lodestone in a human capital process audit across their portfolio. We surveyed and interviewed HR leaders and their internal customers to develop a dashboard for the entire portfolio and for each company. With a small investment of time and money, the firm received information needed to triage which portions of the employee lifecycle needed immediate attention. Some portcos were identified as having best practices and could knowledge-share with sister companies — reducing the need for outside consulting spend where it wasn't warranted.
Culture & Engagement
Green Tech Start-Up Builds Resilient Culture — Employees Volunteer Pay Cuts to Protect It
While it's easier to build a healthy culture when times are good, it's not impossible when cash is tight. Lodestone consultants worked with a green tech start-up's executive team and full organization to establish vision and values that were tangible and behavioral. As a result, all employees knew what behaviors supported the company values. When cashflow became tighter, the CEO reported that individuals were truly "spending like it was their own money." 85% of employees voluntarily took a salary cut in support of the company and its values.
Post-Acquisition
Post-Acquisition Assessment Clears Ambiguity and Protects Exiting Executives with Dignity
Right after an acquisition, our consultants assessed executives from both entities against the business imperatives of the new organization. We conducted interviews, personality assessments, and business simulations for a robust assessment of competencies and likelihood of success. Both retained and exited executives received full feedback and coaching to help with the transition.
“ This process was different — thorough and fair and provided me with something of value, even though ultimately I'm not staying in the company. ”
Human Capital Diligence
HC Diligence on an HC Company Reshapes Deal Terms in 10 Days
Lodestone consultants were engaged by a deal team to conduct due diligence on a prospective Human Capital Survey/Engagement company. In this unique circumstance, we could comment on both the human capital practices and the product offering itself. Within 10 days, the team conducted a product demo, audited HR processes, performed backchannel research, and presented analyses — resulting in a modified offer on the asset and a strengthened relationship with the deal team.
Talent Optimization
Redesigned Selection System Cuts Attrition 40% — Then Gets Scaled Across the Portfolio
A PE firm purchased a company with unacceptable attrition rates in high-volume, client-facing entry-level roles. Our team investigated recruitment, selection, and engagement processes, then formed a talent optimization committee with HR and line managers to ensure buy-in. We redesigned the selection system with scientifically sound prescreens and behavior-based interviews, trained managers, and navigated change-resistant HR leadership. Attrition dropped 40% — 3X the Operating Partner's expectations — and HR was centralized and upskilled for further efficiency. The process was then repeated across other portfolio companies.
Distressed Asset
Distressed Manufacturing Acquisition Gets Stabilized — CEO Reduces Dependence on Outside Support
Having purchased their largest platform ever, a relatively young PE firm needed HR triage immediately. A new CEO — known for operational turnaround but not people skills — needed immediate support to retain key players, optimize selection, and attract talent to a reputationally challenged company. The Lodestone team tackled these people issues while coaching the CEO, ultimately decreasing her dependence on Lodestone and improving her team's performance.
Executive Coaching
Skeptical Logistics CEO Becomes a Believer — Coaching Expands to Org Design and Crisis Management
At first resistant to executive coaching sponsored by the PE owner, this CEO quickly developed trust in his Lodestone coach and asked for more. The Lodestone coach became integral to helping him with organizational design, COVID crisis management, and working with a customer-facing division that was losing sales.
Diligence Strategy
After Two Costly Post-Close Fixes, Investor Moves Lodestone Upstream to Diligence
This client first engaged Lodestone for help with dysfunctional executive teams. After a couple iterations of putting out fires, they realized the value of engaging Lodestone sooner — in diligence — to minimize the risk of acquiring what looks like a good investment, only to realize the executive team needs to be wholly replaced. Earlier engagement changed how they evaluate every deal.
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Senior consultants. Science-backed methods. Results that move the needle.