Quarterlytics / Industrials / Staffing & Employment Services / Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry

kfy · NYSE Industrials
Claim this profile
Ticker kfy
Exchange NYSE
Sector Industrials
Industry Staffing & Employment Services
Employees 5001-10,000
← All annual reports
FY1999 Annual Report · Korn Ferry
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
Korn/Ferry International
Fiscal 1999 Annual Report

THE PERFECT FIT

............

THE PERFECT MOVE

THE PERFECT FIT

The theme of our first annual report as a public company, “The

Perfect  Fit,”  reflects  Korn/Ferry’s  excellent  reputation  for

matching  clients’  organizational  needs  with 

the  right 

candidates. Chess portrays the ideal metaphor. It is a game of

strategy,  requiring  the  skills  to  anticipate,  assess  and  execute

the right moves.

Korn/Ferry,  both  as  a  leader  in  executive  recruitment  and

through  Futurestep,  our 

Internet  recruitment  business,

employs all of these skills. Working with clients and candidates

alike,  we  ensure  that  a  mutually  beneficial  move  results  in  ...

“The Perfect Fit.”

Company Profile

Korn/Ferry International is the world’s largest executive search firm and a leader in serving clients’ recruitment

needs. The Company places executive and senior management for many of the foremost businesses around the globe

through two primary services, executive recruitment and Futurestep, its Internet recruitment service.

Working exclusively on a retained basis, the Company addresses clients’ global recruitment needs at all levels of 

senior  management,  including  boards  of  directors,  chief  executive  officers  and  other  top  level  executives.

Korn/Ferry’s search methodology, developed internally and refined over many years, draws on the latest technology

to  help  identify  high-caliber  candidates  around  the  world.  This,  along  with  the  cultivation  of  strong  client 

relationships and loyalty, has established our reputation of excellence.

Futurestep merges Korn/Ferry’s industry expertise and unique proprietary candidate assessment software with the

broad  reach  of  the  Internet  to  provide  clients  with  rapid,  reliable  recruitment  services  to  fill  clients’  mid-level 

management  needs  around  the  world.  Futurestep,  with  an  exclusive  strategic  alliance  with  The  Wall  Street

Journal’s print and online media, offers unique branding to attract qualified candidates to better serve new and

existing clients.

Korn/Ferry employs over 400 consultants through 71 offices in 40 countries on four continents and performed

more than 6,770 engagements worldwide in the 1999 fiscal year. The Company’s shares are traded on the New

York Stock Exchange under the symbol KFY. Korn/Ferry is based in Los Angeles and is accessible on the Web at

www.kornferry.com and at www.futurestep.com.

1

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

FISCAL 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

Fiscal Year 1999

Korn/Ferry Facts And Figures

Excluding Non-Recurring Charges of $89.2 Million*

Total
Revenue

Total Number 
of  Offices

Total Number 
of Countries

$373.1
Million

71 40

Engagements

6,771

425

*60¢

*$38.8
 Million  

Consultants

Operating
Profit*

276,000

EPS*

*$17.4
Million

Futurestep
Candidates

Net Income*

*Operating Profit, Net Income and EPS exclude an $89.2 million charge comprised of
$79.3  million  attributable  to  initial  public  offering-related  compensation  and  benefits
charges and $9.9 million largely related to non-recurring costs to improve operating 
efficiencies. Net Income and EPS also exclude the income tax benefit related to these
charges of $5.4 million. See the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and
Notes thereto.

Korn/Ferry Financial Highlights

(Dollars in Millions Except Per Share Data)

For the fiscal years ended April 30

1999

1998

1997

Total Revenues

North America
Europe
Asia Pacific
Latin America

Executive Search

Futurestep
Total

Net Revenues
Compensation and benefits
General and adminstrative expenses
Non-recurring charges
Provision for income taxes

Net Income (Loss)
Per common share

Basic
Diluted

Total Assets
Total Liabilities
Mandatorily redeemable common and preferred stock
Shareholders’ equity
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 

Number of offices (at year end)
Average number of consultants
Number of assignments

$ 195.8
106.6
35.1
31.2
$ 368.7
4.4
$ 373.1

$ 356.5
217.0
100.7
89.2
9.0

$ (66.4)

(2.37)
(2.37)

$ 304.1
$ 129.4

$ 172.7
28.1

71
406
6,771

$ 162.6
86.2
34.8
31.4
$ 315.0

$ 315.0

$ 300.6
197.8
84.6

6.7

$ 

5.2

.24
.23

$ 176.4
$ 115.6
$ 56.2
2.6
$
23.8

71
357
5,879

$   135.2
77.5
34.5
25.4
$  272.6

$  272.6

$ 260.4
166.9
73.0

6.7

$ 

9.0

.42
.40

$ 148.4
$ 96.5
$ 48.2
2.6
$
23.5

66
311
4,774

See the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.

3

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

FISCAL 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

Letter to Shareholders:

This  new  service  addresses  client  demands  for  middle  market

recruitment,  responds  to  the  need  for  speed  and  cultural 

assessment, and additionally, provides career advice to candidates.

Futurestep’s successful debut was promoted by another innovative

step,  an  exclusive  strategic  alliance  with  The  Wall  Street  Journal,

widely  considered  to  be  one  of  the  most  influential  business 

publications  in  the  world.  Just  after  the  fiscal  year-end,  Business

Week featured  Korn/Ferry  and  Futurestep’s  role  in  changing  the

face of executive search.

Given  our  exciting  new  product  offering,  our  continuing

desire  to  lead  change  and  the  requirement  to  fund  new  growth

opportunities,  Korn/Ferry  successfully  completed  a  $165  million

initial public offering in February 1999 and is the only executive

search firm listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The available

proceeds  are  being  applied  to  strategic  acquisition  opportunities

worldwide,  emerging  technology  investments  and  the  continued

growth of Futurestep. 

Our ability to perform and achieve financial returns is another

keynote of our success and this year we achieved record revenues of

$373 million with high and increasing margins.

WINDLE B. PRIEM
Chief Executive Officer,
President and Director

For 30 years, companies of all sizes and in all industries have turned

to Korn/Ferry International for “The Perfect Fit,” the recruitment

of  senior  executives  who  can  help  their  businesses  successfully

advance.  Our  broad  spectrum  of  industry  leadership  and  success

ranges  from  our  leading  role  in  the  industry  to  the  launch  of

Futurestep,  our  market-leading  Internet  recruitment  service.  Our

consistent focus and demonstrated leadership is in anticipation of

and  response  to  clients’  needs,  resulting  in  comprehensive  client

service around the globe.

This  year,  which  represents  yet  another  milestone  for  us,  in

many ways proved to be the most extraordinary in our history. We

became  the  first  major  search  firm  to  extend  capabilities  to  the

Internet  by  rolling  out  Futurestep  throughout  the  United  States.

4

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

FISCAL 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

Throughout the year we also continued to provide our clients

operating  results  included  an  $89  million  non-recurring  charge

with  thought  provoking  studies  on  employment  and  recruitment

comprised of $10 million, largely related to non-recurring costs to

trends. Highly regarded and most noteworthy is our 25th Annual

improve operating efficiencies, and $79 million from initial public

Board  of  Directors  Survey,  our  benchmark  report  on  the  trends 

offering related compensation and benefits charges. Excluding this

facing  Fortune  1000  boardrooms.  In  conjunction  with  the

$89  million  charge  and  including  the  favorable  impact  of  the

Columbia Business School, we also produced an in-depth look at

revised  compensation  plan  adopted  in  fiscal  1999,  net  income

the successful career paths and strategies of the Fortune 1000’s top

increased to $17 million from $5 million in fiscal 1998. Earnings

earning diversity executives. 

per share, on the same basis, rose to $0.60 on a fully diluted basis

For  the  second  consecutive  year,  Korn/Ferry  has  enjoyed  a

from $0.23 in fiscal 1998.

prestigious relationship with the World Economic Forum where we

Revenues in our executive recruitment business grew 17 percent

are retained, on an exclusive basis, to provide for their recruitment

to  $369  million,  while  operating  profit,  on  the  basis  described

needs.  Additionally,  this  relationship  provides  a  high  profile 

above, rose 34 percent to $51 million in fiscal 1999. Revenues for

platform  to  expand  external  associations  and  report  on  certain

Futurestep’s  first  year  of  operations  reached  over  $4  million.

industry trends useful for academic reference and study. 

Futurestep’s  operating  loss,  primarily  stemming  from  compensa-

FINANCIAL RESULTS

less than $13 million. Futurestep was rolled out in North America

tion and benefits expenses, advertising and other start-up costs, was

Our  fiscal  year  1999  concluded  with  outstanding  financial 

performance,  our  best-ever  annual  revenues  and  earnings.

Revenues for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1999 rose 18 percent

to $373 million from $315 million the previous year. Fiscal 1999

ahead  of  schedule  to  outstanding  client  and  candidate  response,

and was launched in the United Kingdom just after the close of the

1999 fiscal year.

With a total of 67 percent ownership in Korn/Ferry retained

internally, our management, search consultants and employees are

5

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

FISCAL 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

deeply  committed  to  Korn/Ferry’s  success.  This  broad  internal

management  worldwide  with  ever-deeper  knowledge  and  wider

equity ownership combined with the introduction of our new stock

breadth  of  skills.  As  a  result,  recruitment  services  are  becoming

option plan this year, further aligns the interests of both new and

more  and  more  critical  to  organizations,  particularly  those  that

existing shareholders to profitably grow the business and enhance

require  unique  combinations  of  skills.  Additionally,  many 

shareholder value.

enterprises  are  relying  more  on  outsourcing  to  conduct  effective

LEVERAGING STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES

We  are  well  positioned  to  meet  all  these  challenges.  The

evaluations and candidate recruiting to satisfy their staffing needs. 

Our mission is to expand Korn/Ferry as a global search provider by

offering a range of solutions to meet clients’ changing recruitment

needs.  Such  solutions 

include  middle  to  executive 

level 

recruitment, outsourcing, and other ancillary services. Increasingly,

we  also  serve  as  a  sounding  board  for  management,  providing

advice and counsel on a wide range of leadership-related issues. We

believe this role testifies to the strength of our client relationships,

reflecting  confidence  built  on  trust  in  the  performance  of

Korn/Ferry over many years.

The key trends driving our industry include the prevalence of

technology, strong employment demand, and escalating emphasis

on  search  quality  and  speed.  As  globalization  becomes 

commonplace and businesses increasingly complex, clients require

breadth  of  our  global  presence  enables  us  to  handle  worldwide

searches  and  also  serve  as  a  key  information  source  regarding 

global  market  dynamics.  Our  diverse  industry  and  functional

expertise, along with our extensive candidate relationships, enable

us to meet both rising client standards and industry competition.

Futurestep  enables  us  to  deliver  rapid  middle  management 

recruitment services. Collectively, through our highly experienced

and skilled professionals, we secure the leadership capital necessary

for our clients to enhance their businesses.

Our  strategy  is  to  leverage  Korn/Ferry’s  search  expertise  to

expand our geographic markets in fast-growing industries such as

financial  services,  technology,  consumer  products  and  healthcare,

and  provide  more  extensive  services  to  meet  clients’  recruitment

6

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

FISCAL 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

needs  including  other  strategic  complementary  services. Through

public  status  we  are  delighted  to  have  our  first  four  outside 

Futurestep,  we  will  also  leverage  and  expand  our  existing  client 

directors join our board, all of whom have outstanding experience

relationships  in  executive  recruitment  to  serve  clients’  middle 

to  help  guide  us  in  the  pursuit  of  excellence. This  initial  step  is 

management needs.

part of a two year program to transition our board to a majority 

LOOKING FORWARD

In an era of “dot.com” companies with minimal revenues and

of outside directors. 

In summary, we have enjoyed another exciting year of growth and

dynamic  change  and  wish  to  thank  our  clients,  employees  and

shareholders for making fiscal 1999 a very successful year.

We continue to put our clients to the forefront and adhere to

the principles and qualities that have made Korn/Ferry the leading

search  enterprise  worldwide.  Through  the  maintenance  of  our

innovative heritage, we strive to lead change in the executive search

industry  and  provide  clients,  shareholders  and  employees  alike,  a

confident outlook to our future.

Korn/Ferry’s  success  is  built  upon  team  effort  including  our

relationships  with  clients,  employees  and  shareholders.  Our

responsibility  is  to  reward  shareholders  with  the  best  possible 

operating results. To accomplish this, our employees are committed

to  serving  our  clients  in  an  exemplary  manner.  With  our  new 

little  or  no  earnings,  we  are  pleased  to  offer  our  shareholders  an

ongoing,  profitable  business  with  the  potential  of  an  Internet 

venture.  Korn/Ferry  has  proven  itself  to  be  a  proactive,  seasoned

and  well-managed  enterprise  with  sound  fundamentals  and  a

proven financial track record in a growing, profitable market. We

are  committed  to  expanding  our  outstanding  brand  identity  and

reputation,  broadening  our  global  scope  and  capitalizing  on  the

remarkable  potential  of  technology.  We  are  excited  about  our

future.  We  are  well  capitalized  with  outstanding    resources  to 

execute  our  strategy  and  look  forward  to  the  challenge  of 

continuing to deliver the operational and financial results for which

all our shareholders can be justifiably proud.

RICHARD M. FERRY
Chair of the Board

PETER L. DUNN
Vice Chair, Corporate Secretary,
General Counsel and Director

ELIZABETH S.C.S. MURRAY
Chief Financial Officer,Treasurer and 
Executive Vice President

7

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

FISCAL 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

LEADERSHIP

First to Advance

Korn/Ferry  has  developed  a  reputation  as  a  global  leader  in  executive 
recruitment  through  consistent,  long-term  and  substantial  investments  in
people,  offices  and  technology.  The  Company  has  developed  an 
outstanding  brand  equity  which  facilitates  our  continuing  and  growing
momentum to advance.

Korn/Ferry  pioneered  integrated,  cross-functional  client  teams  that
include experts in each industry, specialty, function and region. In 1970, the
Company  established  specialty  practices  to  serve  specific  industries  and 
markets and has continued to expand the range of business segments served.
Consultants  in  the  Company’s  ten  specialty  practice  groups  bring  an 
in-depth understanding of the market conditions and strategic management
issues faced by clients within the specific industry. Worldwide, the Company
is particularly strong in the advanced technology, consumer goods, financial
services  and  industrial  sectors.  Korn/Ferry  plans  to  continue  to  expand 
its  specialized  expertise  in  the  five  largest  specialty  practices  through 
individual  development,  strategic  hiring  in  targeted  growth  areas  and 
selected acquisitions.

In  1972,  Korn/Ferry  introduced  truly  global  search  capability  by
expanding  its  office  network  in  major  commercial  centers  worldwide.
Additionally,  the  Company  organized  centers  of  functional  expertise, 
comprised of consultants with extensive backgrounds in placing executives
in  certain  functions,  such  as  boards  of  directors,  chief  executive  officers,
chief  financial  officers  and  other  senior  executives. The  Company’s  board
services  practice,  for  example,  was  established  to  help  clients  assemble 
effective,  knowledgeable  and  cohesive  boards  of  directors  to  meet  the 
growing demands for accountability and more effective board performance.
The Company has established significant expertise in this area and has built

a proprietary database with the names and backgrounds of all the Fortune
1000 directors, plus a significant number of middle market and high growth
company  board  members,  to  help  support  board  searches.  All  of  these 
initiatives were introduced to better serve existing clients while developing
new client relationships.

Korn/Ferry’s  leadership  shows  up  most  vividly  in  technology. 
The  Company  was  the  first  executive  search  business  to  invest  heavily  in 
information  systems,  including  a  major  commitment  over  the  past  two 
years  to  develop  and  implement  networking  software  and  a  proprietary
worldwide database.

Korn/Ferry’s demonstrated ability to advance through new technology
combined with its commitment to better serving clients is exemplified by
another outstanding leadership initiative. Last year the Company launched
Futurestep,  its  Internet  recruitment  business  for  the  under-served  middle
market.  Korn/Ferry  is  uniquely  positioned  to  succeed  in  this  marketplace
with an exciting new service that offers the key elements of success: brand
equity, proprietary technology and a huge recruitment market opportunity.
The Company’s strategic alliances also enhance its industry leadership.
Korn/Ferry  was  the  first  executive  search  firm  to  advance  in  a  partnering
strategy on the Internet by securing an exclusive alliance with The Wall Street
Journal to bring Futurestep to market.

In  an  era  where  almost  every  industry  is  engaged  in  intense  global 
competition,  there  is  no  other  firm  that  can  equal  the  resources  of
Korn/Ferry for a high level global search.

43%

OF THE FORTUNE 500 WERE 
CLIENTS IN FISCAL 1999

INDUSTRY SPECIALTY PRACTICES

Percentage of Fiscal 1999 Assignments

20%  Industrial

20%  Consumer Goods

17%  Advanced Technology

16%  Financial Services
9%  Healthcare

Professional Services

7% 
4%  Government and Not For Profit

4% 

3% 

Entertainment

Energy and Utilities

9

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

FISCAL 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

INNOVATION

First to Market

Several years ago, Korn/Ferry anticipated changes that would create new
opportunities for executive search. Understanding that rapidly advancing
technology would have a dynamic impact on the industry, the Company
initiated new solutions to meet changing market needs.

With the global ability to create comprehensive worldwide databases,
highly  capable  information  systems  are  fundamentally  transforming  the
search process. Internet technology, which offers the means to efficiently
identify  and  recruit  middle  management  candidates,  is  becoming 
increasingly  effective.  At  the  same  time,  new  search  industry  barriers  to
entry  are  being  created  as  major  investments  in  information  technology
become critical to serve clients’ needs globally.

Korn/Ferry  continually  invests  in  technology,  both  to  support  its
executive  recruitment  business  and  to  expand  through  the  Internet  with
Futurestep.  In  executive  recruitment  alone,  Korn/Ferry  has  committed
over  $39  million  in  the  last  several  years  to  develop  and  implement  a 
global technology infrastructure, including worldwide networking capability
and Searcher, a proprietary database. Searcher enables consultants to tap
into  Korn/Ferry’s  broad  client  base  and  extensive  candidate  rosters  from
anywhere in the world. To date, this database contains detailed profiles of
more than one million executives and over 300,000 companies, providing
Korn/Ferry with a significant competitive advantage.

Futurestep  combines  executive  search  expertise  and  proprietary 
candidate  assessment  software  with  the  virtually  unlimited  reach  of  the
Internet and is designed to meet escalating demand for timely, high-quality
middle-management recruitment. The service, currently offered in North
America  and  the  United  Kingdom,  will  soon  be  rolled  out  in  other  key
markets around the globe. Although Futurestep is currently targeted at the
mid-level  manager,  the  technology  and  assessment  tools  used  also  hold
considerable potential for the executive recruitment business.

The  Company’s  technology  innovations  lead  the  global  search 
industry, creating a solid base for expanding Korn/Ferry’s role as a provider
of information and as a strategic advisor to its clients. 

At the same time, the Company realizes that continued success rests
on its personal relationships with clients and candidates. The Company is
intent  on  maintaining  the  delicate  balance  between  the  potential  of 
technology and the power of human connection. At Korn/Ferry, technology
is  not  an  option,  it  is  critical  to  the  Company’s  thoughtful,  innovative
approach to creating the future.

Worldwide Industry, Client and
Candidate Knowledge System

1,000,000 EXECUTIVES

300,000 COMPANIES

11

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

FISCAL 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

Executive Search Highlights

Total 
Revenue

1999

North America
Europe
Asia
Latin America

$ 195.8
106.6
35.1
31.2
Executive Search $368.7

Operating
Profit*

Operating
Profit Margin*

(as a % of net revenues)

1999

North America
Europe
Asia
Latin America

$29.7
9.4
3.4
8.9
Executive Search $ 51.4

*Excluding non-recurring charges 

North America
Europe
Asia
Latin America

1999

15.8%
9.4
10.1
29.0

Executive Search 14.6%

*Excluding non-recurring charges

EXECUTIVE SEARCH

Client Service 
Around the Globe

Most  Fortune  businesses,  and  an  even  greater  number  of  their  senior 
executives  regularly  come  in  contact  with  Korn/Ferry.  The  Company 
performs  searches  on  a  retained  basis  and  focuses  on  executive  level 
positions  with  annual  compensation  over  $150,000.  Korn/Ferry’s  clients
include many of the world’s largest and most prestigious public and private
companies,  middle-market  and  emerging  growth  companies,  along  with
governmental  and  not-for-profit  organizations.  Nearly  half  of  the 
engagements performed in the 1999 fiscal year were for board of directors’
members, chief executive officers and other senior executive officers.

Korn/Ferry has developed strong client loyalty, with an outstanding
record of repeat business. Korn/Ferry places a premium on building enduring
relationships with the companies it serves, thoroughly understanding each
client’s industry, business and unique corporate culture.

The  global  executive  search  market  is  estimated  to  grow  from 
approximately $3.5 billion in 1993 to an estimated $10 billion in 2000, a
compound annual growth rate of 16 percent. During the period 1994 to
1999,  Korn/Ferry’s  revenue  growth  has  outpaced  the  market,  with  a 
compound  annual  growth  rate  of  21  percent.  Moreover,  the  industry  is
highly fragmented. Ten leading executive search firms jointly account for
only 11 percent of the market and 4,000 executive search firms account for
the other 89 percent. This fragmentation offers enormous opportunity for
growth through selective acquisitions. The Company is well positioned to
take  full  advantage  of  this  opportunity  and  will  aggressively  pursue 
acquisition targets that complement its global strategic business objectives.
In fact, in fiscal year 1999, Korn/Ferry acquired well-regarded search firms
in France and Switzerland and, just after the end of the 1999 fiscal year,
closed its first acquisition of fiscal year 2000 in Australia. All three strategic
acquisitions have substantially increased market share in each region.

Korn/Ferry’s high caliber professionals have extensive experience and
many  have  advanced  graduate  degrees  and,  on  average,  seven  years 
experience with the Company, 12 years in the search industry and 13 years
in  other  industries.  The  professional  experience  of  our  consultants 
contributes significantly to our success.

Korn/Ferry  performed  over  6,600  assignments  in  fiscal  1999  for
more  than  4,000  clients.  Nearly  half  of  these  clients  were  Fortune  500
businesses. Korn/Ferry’s executive recruitment business is organized both
by  specialty  practices  and  four  geographic  regions,  North  America,
Europe, Asia/Pacific and Latin America. The North American region with
20 offices, accounted for 53 percent of total global executive recruitment
revenues and grew 20 percent in fiscal 1999 with an operating margin of
16  percent.  In  the  European  region,  with  27  offices  and  29  percent  of
global  executive  recruitment  revenues,  revenues  jumped  24  percent  in 
fiscal 1999 and the operating margin was nine percent. The Asia/Pacific
region maintains 14 offices and accounts for 10 percent of global executive
recruitment  revenues  and  the  Latin  America  region  has  nine  offices  and
generates  eight  percent  of  total  global  executive  recruitment  revenues.
Operating  margins  for  fiscal  year  1999  were  10  percent  for  Asia/Pacific
and 29 percent for Latin America.

Just as leadership changes occur for clients, Korn/Ferry implemented
changes  of  its  own  during  the  year.  The  Company  named  four  new 
presidents  to  head  the  regions  and  global  specialty  practices.  All  are 
seasoned  Korn/Ferry  executives,  with  the  leadership  qualities  to  drive 
continuing growth.

Demand  for  executives  is  strong  and  growing  and  the  Company
believes executive recruitment services will remain a significant contributor
to  Korn/Ferry’s  bottom  line.  Although  technology  and  other  forces  will
continue  altering  traditional  executive  search  at  an  increasing  pace,
Korn/Ferry remains committed to providing the services clients want and
the timely, professional results they have come to expect. 

13

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

FISCAL 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

The Perfect Move

30

Candidates

Days

3
The Perfect Fit1

Our Goal: 30 Days to a Quality Hire

Career Management,
Recruitment and The Net

In  response  to  growing  client  demand  for  middle-management 
recruitment and the technology advancement of the Internet, Korn/Ferry
established  Futurestep,  a  precedent  setting  Internet-based  means  to 
identify and place mid-level managers.

Futurestep  arose  from  a  study  that  Korn/Ferry  undertook  with  its
clients two years ago. Many of these clients reported they were dissatisfied
with existing middle-market search firms and felt that market was being
inadequately  served.  The  Company’s  clients  suggested  that  Korn/Ferry
address  middle  management  recruiting  needs  by  providing  “one-stop
shopping” for the businesses it serves.

Futurestep  combines  executive  recruitment  search  expertise  and 
proprietary  candidate  assessment  software  with  the  vast  reach  of  the
Internet,  effectively  leveraging  Korn/Ferry’s  industry  knowledge  to  a
dynamic  new  medium.  Designed  to  meet  escalating  demand  for  timely,
high-caliber middle management candidates, Futurestep offers the largest
candidate database of high income demographics and the most powerful
assessment tools available online.

Futurestep’s  screening  process,  which  requires  candidates  to  enter
detailed  information  about  themselves  and  their  professional  histories
online,  in  much  greater  depth  than  simple  resume  responses,  utilizes  a 
proprietary  electronic  matching  system  to  locate  the  best  possible 
candidates  in  minimal  time.  Unique  follow  up  utilizes  innovative 
telephone-based  video  conferences  with  individuals  under  serious 
consideration. That system enables candidates to conduct interviews from
home both speeding the search process and greatly reducing travel costs.

Futurestep also has secured first mover advantage. While others have
created sites with a relatively narrow focus, or job posting boards that are
essentially online classified ads, none of these sites offer cultural assessment
tools that equal Futurestep’s capability. These proprietary tools, which have
been validated by university researchers over a 10 year period, along with
the  size  and  specificity  of  our  database,  present  imposing  competitive 
barriers  to  entry.  Underscoring  Korn/Ferry’s  leadership  and  innovative

advantage  is  our  exclusive  alliance  with  The  Wall  Street  Journal which
brings tremendous credibility, clients and candidates. 

The international expansion is ahead of schedule and the number of
registered  candidates  has  exceeded  prior  expectations.  At  fiscal  year-end,
more  than  276,000  individuals  with  an  average  salary  of  $113,000  had
registered with Futurestep, creating an extensive and extremely attractive
candidate pool. Futurestep opened 160 searches during the fiscal year with
an average fee per assignment of $33,000. Fiscal 1999 revenues were over
$4 million and the operating loss, resulting from compensation and benefits
expenses, advertising and other startup costs, was less than $13 million.

Futurestep’s  accomplishments  are  just  beginning.  The  Company
expects  to  roll  out  the  site  in  every  major  market  worldwide  within  the
next  two  years.  Futurestep  intends  to  enter  into  multi-year  outsourcing
relationships with a few major accounts and plans to diversify its offerings
to  capitalize  on  e-commerce  opportunities,  such  as  relocation  services,
financial  planning  and  numerous  other  means  to  leverage  Futurestep’s
unique, proprietary database.

Korn/Ferry further intends to broaden Futurestep’s range of services
by  adding  such  capabilities  as  campus  hiring,  professional  career 
counseling  and  internal  job  postings  for  clients.  Korn/Ferry  is  also 
considering  strategic  acquisitions  and  alliances  that  would  expand  the 
marketing  reach  of  Futurestep  while  preserving  its  focus.  Finally,  the
Company expects the assessment tools developed for Futurestep to migrate
upward within Korn/Ferry, a process that will continue generating benefits
company wide.

Futurestep is a highly strategic move and is an ideal complement to
the executive recruitment business that will not only benefit clients and the
industry but will contribute significantly to Korn/Ferry’s continuing success.

15

KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

FISCAL 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

North
America

Atlanta
Austin
Boston
Century City
Chicago
Dallas 
Houston
Miami
Minneapolis
Newport Beach
New York

Philadelphia
Princeton
San Francisco
Seattle
Sherman Oaks
Silicon Valley
Stamford
Toronto
Tysons Corner
Washington,D.C.

Latin
America

Bogotá
Buenos Aires
Caracas
Lima
Mexico City
Monterrey
Rio de Janeiro
Santiago
São Paulo

Europe

Amsterdam
Athens
Barcelona
Birmingham
Brussels
Bucharest
Budapest
Copenhagan
Düsseldorf
Frankfurt
Geneva
Gothenburg
Helsinki
Istanbul

London
Luxembourg
Madrid
Milan
Moscow
Oslo
Paris
Prague
Rome
Stockholm
Vienna
Warsaw
Zurich

Bangkok
Beijing
Bombay    
(Mumbai)
Hong Kong
Jakarta
Kuala Lumpur
Melbourne

New Delhi
Seoul
Shanghai
Singapore
Sydney
Tokyo
Wellington

Asia/Pacific

Board of Directors 

Senior Management

RICHARD M. FERRY
Chair of the Board

WINDLE B. PRIEM
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

PETER L. DUNN
Vice Chair, Corporate Secretary, General Counsel and Director

JAMES E. BARLETT (as of July 30, 1999)
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of 
Galileo International

PAUL BUCHANAN-BARROW
Vice President and Director

FRANK V. CAHOUET
Retired Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Mellon Bank

TIMOTHY K. FRIAR
Managing Director, Vice President and Director

SAKIE FUKUSHIMA
Vice President and Director

SCOTT E. KINGDOM
Managing Director, Vice President and Director

CHARLES D. MILLER
Chairman of Avery Dennison Corporation and Nationwide
Health Properties, Inc. 

GARY C. HOURIHAN
Executive Vice President,
Organizational Development

L. PARKER HARRELL, JR.
Managing Director,
Search Operations

JAMES E. BOONE
President of the Americas

MICHAEL D. BEKINS
President of Europe

RAIMONDO NIDER
Managing Director, Vice President and Director

STEPHEN J. ROMAINE
President of Asia/Pacific

MICHAEL A. WELLMAN
President – Global Specialty Practices

MANUEL A. PAPAYANÓPULOS
Vice President and Director

GERHARD SCHULMEYER
President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Corporation 

MICHAEL A. WELLMAN
President, Global Specialty Practices, 
Vice President and Director

YOUNG KUAN-SING
Managing Director, Vice President and Director

Corporate Information

TRANSFER AGENT

ANNUAL MEETING

LEGAL COUNSEL

ChaseMellon 
Shareholder Services
PO Box 3315, 
South Hackensack, NJ 07660
(800) 356-2017
Domestic:  
International: (201) 329-8660
www.chasemellon.com

September 22, 1999, 
10 am
Park Hyatt Los Angeles
2151 Avenue of the Stars 
Los Angeles, California

O’Melveny & Myers LLP

AUDITORS

Arthur Andersen LLP

MAN JIT SINGH
President and CEO,
Futurestep

STOCK LISTING

DAN DEMETER
Vice President,
Chief Information Officer

New York Stock Exchange
Symbol: KFY

Korn/Ferry International
1800 Century Park East, Suite 900
Los Angeles California 90067
Tel: 310-552-1834 Fax: 310-553-8640
Web site: www.kornferry.com
Web site: www.futurestep.com