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Korn Ferry

kfy · NYSE Industrials
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Ticker kfy
Exchange NYSE
Sector Industrials
Industry Staffing & Employment Services
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2006 Annual Report · Korn Ferry
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KORN/FERRY INTERNATIONAL

The search and beyond

Annual Report 2006    

#1 in market share  global and u.s. leader

$523 million  global fee revenue in fy06

16% increase  global fee revenue from fy05

47% increase   eps from fy05

72  offices worldwide

9,608  searches in fy06

4.6 million  candidates in database

All figures above include Futurestep

53

53

53

7

7

7

13

13

13
27

27

27

23

23

21

21

21
23

18

18

18

6

6

6

6

6
11

6
15

11

15

11

15

revenue by region
global fee revenue in fy06

revenue by industry
global fee revenue in fy06

53%   North America

27%   EMEA

13%   Asia Pacific

7%   South America*

*Includes unconsolidated  

Mexican subsidiaries

23%   Industrial

21%   Financial Services

18%   Consumer 

15%  Technology

11%   Life Sciences 

6%   Healthcare Provider

6%   Education/Not-for-Profit

Excludes Futurestep

56

56

56

2

8

2

9

8

2

8

9
9

16
9
9

16
9

16

engagements by function
global assignments in fy06 

56%   C-Level/Senior Management/ 

Board 

16%   Marketing

9%   Human Resources
9%   Manufacturing/Research &  

Development/Technology

8%   Finance

2%  

Information Systems

Excludes Futurestep

 
 
Delivering leadership

By every conceivable measure, Korn/Ferry delivered leadership in Fiscal  
Year 2006. 

During the past 12 months, we led the industry by taking market share and 
maintaining our stature as the largest and most profitable firm. We also 
continued to make steady progress toward our vision of being the premier 
global provider of human capital solutions—a position that distinguishes us 
from the competition and allows us to develop more profound, multifaceted 
and valuable client relationships.

We have moved beyond the traditional parameters of an executive search 
firm to identify, deploy, develop, retain and reward the best leadership 
talent possible for our clients. Leaders who make the difference between 
keeping up with the pack and guiding it.

Our experience, global readiness and, most importantly, our 1,800 
professionals enable Korn/Ferry to deliver what others cannot: the power  
of leadership.

dear shareholder:
dear shareholder:

It gives me great pleasure to report that Fiscal Year 2006 was the most profi table in Korn/Ferry’s 37-year 
It gives me great pleasure to report that Fiscal Year 2006 was the most profi table in Korn/Ferry’s 37-year 
history. Our revenue for the year was $522.9 million, up 16% from FY05, and we recorded $76.2 million in 
history. Our revenue for the year was $522.9 million, up 16% from FY05, and we recorded $76.2 million in 
operating earnings. With EPS of $1.09 (excluding one-time benefi ts), we achieved a 21% improvement in 
operating earnings. With EPS of $1.09 (excluding one-time benefi ts), we achieved a 21% improvement in 
profi tability over last year, and attained the highest level of net profi t since Korn/Ferry’s inception.
profi tability over last year, and attained the highest level of net profi t since Korn/Ferry’s inception.

These results were generated by a steady adherence to a consistent and long-term vision. 
These results were generated by a steady adherence to a consistent and long-term vision. 
This vision is to deliver an array of solutions that help clients identify, deploy, develop, retain 
This vision is to deliver an array of solutions that help clients identify, deploy, develop, retain 
and reward their pool of executive talent. At Korn/Ferry, we are fortunate to have one of the 
and reward their pool of executive talent. At Korn/Ferry, we are fortunate to have one of the 
most recognized and admired brands in the executive search business. In addition, we have 
most recognized and admired brands in the executive search business. In addition, we have 
developed a suite of complementary human resources consulting services that enable us to 
developed a suite of complementary human resources consulting services that enable us to 
provide even greater value to our clients. Our market strategy calls for us to leverage our role 
provide even greater value to our clients. Our market strategy calls for us to leverage our role 
as trusted advisors in the industry and help clients grapple with today’s increasingly diffi cult 
as trusted advisors in the industry and help clients grapple with today’s increasingly diffi cult 
talent management challenges.
talent management challenges.

Last year we experienced growth in all of our product lines, and in every global region. In 
Last year we experienced growth in all of our product lines, and in every global region. In 
executive search, our fee revenue increased 14% from the previous year, and our operating 
executive search, our fee revenue increased 14% from the previous year, and our operating 
margin improved to 22%. With heavy demand for talent in manufacturing, energy and 
margin improved to 22%. With heavy demand for talent in manufacturing, energy and 
defense, our Industrial Market showed the strongest industry sector growth with an increase 
defense, our Industrial Market showed the strongest industry sector growth with an increase 
of 29% over FY05. Financial Services was also strong, up 23% over the prior year, and fueled 
of 29% over FY05. Financial Services was also strong, up 23% over the prior year, and fueled 
primarily by demand for senior executives in commercial and investment banking, asset and 
primarily by demand for senior executives in commercial and investment banking, asset and 
wealth management, and insurance and risk management. 
wealth management, and insurance and risk management. 

Globally, we conducted more than 6,200 executive search assignments last year, and experi-
Globally, we conducted more than 6,200 executive search assignments last year, and experi-
enced growth across every major region. North America was up 15%, Asia Pacifi c increased 
enced growth across every major region. North America was up 15%, Asia Pacifi c increased 
13%, Europe, Middle East & Africa grew 9%, and South America posted an amazing 45% 
13%, Europe, Middle East & Africa grew 9%, and South America posted an amazing 45% 
year-over-year improvement.
year-over-year improvement.

Futurestep, which offers outsourced recruiting solutions for the mid-management market, 
Futurestep, which offers outsourced recruiting solutions for the mid-management market, 
continued its rapid growth by generating fee revenue of $70.2 million, an increase of 30% 
continued its rapid growth by generating fee revenue of $70.2 million, an increase of 30% 
over FY05. Futurestep’s operating margin fell this past year, due primarily to our continued 
over FY05. Futurestep’s operating margin fell this past year, due primarily to our continued 
investment in the business to keep up with rapid growth. In FY06 we rolled out a new, 
investment in the business to keep up with rapid growth. In FY06 we rolled out a new, 
high-performance technology platform called FutureSearch, and we hired more than 125
high-performance technology platform called FutureSearch, and we hired more than 125
new Futurestep employees.
new Futurestep employees.

We also invested heavily last year in our Leadership Development Solutions business, which 
We also invested heavily last year in our Leadership Development Solutions business, which 
helps organizations maximize their leadership talent and enables Korn/Ferry to develop richer, 
helps organizations maximize their leadership talent and enables Korn/Ferry to develop richer, 
more consultative relationships with our clients. In FY06, we hired 13 new consultants with 
more consultative relationships with our clients. In FY06, we hired 13 new consultants with 
highly specialized backgrounds in organizational development, executive compensation and 
highly specialized backgrounds in organizational development, executive compensation and 
HR consulting.
HR consulting.

02  korn/ferry 2006

As we look ahead, we are decidedly optimistic about our prospects for the future. In December, 
we received approval from our board of directors on our three-year strategic plan, which we 
call K/F One. This plan centers on the following four strategic pillars:

n	 #1 Market Share — driving revenue growth

n  Client Excellence — delivering quality service

n  Solutions-Driven Growth — offering multiple products to clients

n  Partnership — instilling a culture of teaming

At Korn/Ferry we have stayed true to our founders’ vision and created a corporate culture  
that attracts the best and the brightest people in the industry. Our goal is to maintain an 
environment of collaboration, personal freedom and entrepreneurial spirit that allows our 
consultants to approach every client assignment with the best possible team and the greatest 
chance for success.

As I write this letter, the U.S. economy has just closed its 33rd straight month of job growth, 
with unemployment down to 4.6%. China and India are maintaining GDP growth of 10% and 
8% respectively, and the demand for executive talent in these markets is unprecedented. In the 
EU, as the workforce ages in France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the ranks of available 
managerial talent are shrinking, which correspondingly creates a rising demand for our services.

Our vision is to deliver an array of solutions that help clients identify,  
deploy, develop, retain and reward their pool of executive talent.

These market conditions give us confidence to invest in our brand and our people. We closed 
FY06 with $278.2 million in cash on our balance sheet, and we plan to deploy this capital 
strategically and with an eye toward long-term growth and market dominance.

We have worked hard to create the right strategy, in the right industry at the right time.  
Driven by demographics, technological innovation and globalization, the war for executive 
talent should stay robust for the next several decades. In our conversations with CEOs around 
the globe, the one issue that recurs again and again as a major concern is the acquisition, 
development and retention of talent. Stated quite simply, no other company is better posi-
tioned to deliver leadership from a global perspective. 

As always, I want to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues around the globe for their 
tireless focus on clients and candidates, our clients for their partnership and loyalty, and our 
board of directors for their continued stewardship and governance. It has been a rewarding 
and successful year, and I am proud to be part of the Korn/Ferry team. 

Sincerely,

Paul C. Reilly 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

  korn/ferry 2006  03

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Integrating leadership possibilities
Integrating leadership possibilities
Integrating leadership possibilities

04  korn/ferry 2006

Integrating leadership possibilities

the search and beyond

We know that today, clients seek trusted advisors who can manage multiple business needs on a global scale. 
Executive search will always be a central focus of our business —but not the only focus. Our comprehensive 
suite of services exemplifi es our commitment to staying ahead of the market’s talent management demands.

executive search

Since 1969, Korn/Ferry has worked with candidates and clients to fi ll more than 100,000 
executive-level positions, such as board director, chief executive offi cer, chief fi nancial offi cer, 
chief operating offi cer, chief information offi cer and other senior executive offi cers. Today, our 
consultants operate in a highly specialized global network of more than 30 market sectors and 
functional areas of expertise. Their industry experience, local knowledge and unparalleled 
professional contacts ensure the highest levels of service—and most effective solutions—for 
Korn/Ferry clients worldwide.

Organizations that retain Korn/Ferry’s executive search services experience the benefi ts of our 
proprietary, cutting-edge technology assets such as Search Assessment,SM an online assessment 
methodology that measures a candidate’s fi t to a specifi c position and culture, and Searcher,SM
our best-in-class database of candidate, company and engagement information.

leadership development 
solutions

Our comprehensive blend of leadership services assists clients with the ongoing assessment 
and development of their leadership teams.

Talent Management Platform  Allows clients to integrate aspects of talent management 
through a Web-based system, Executive Center,SM which includes appraisals, succession 
planning, employee background and preference data, developmental opportunities and 
compensation management
Strategic Management Assessment  Assesses the skills, behaviors, values and emotional 
competencies of individual managers and management teams
Executive Development and Coaching  Develops future leaders through individual and 
team-based executive coaching
Executive Compensation and Benefi ts  Serves as a strategic advisor about pay philosophy, 
programs and governance issues

futurestep

Futurestep, our outsourced recruiting subsidiary, offers a suite of customizable, highly-
scalable recruitment solutions that analyze and address clients’ unique middle market needs  —
regardless of the number of positions, geographic requirements or industry specialization. 

Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)  A fully integrated, measurable, single-source 
solution, often including on-site Futurestep consultants managing part or all of the client’s 
recruitment function
Project Recruitment  Delivers multiple hires with built-in timeline and metrics
Interim Solutions  Solves the need for temporary, fl exible mid-management professionals
Mid-Level Search  Addresses an organization’s need for key mid-level talent by leveraging 
multiple sourcing channels and a global database of more than one million pre-screened 
professionals to provide a diverse set of candidates

  korn/ferry 2006  05
  korn/ferry 2006  05

Executing the strategy

A steady adherence to our long-term strategy of building broader and 
deeper relationships with clients fueled our outstanding fi nancial results 
in Fiscal Year 2006.

 $522.9
$452.2

$328.3

 $1.32

 $0.90

 $0.13

 $76.2
 $65.8

 $15.8

04

05

06

04

05

06

04

05

06

total fee revenue
in millions, fiscal year

earnings per share
in dollars, fiscal year

operating income
in millions, fiscal year

 $70.2

$53.9

$34.2

 $278.2

 $206.9

 $108.1

04

05

06

04

05

06

futurestep fee revenue
in millions, fiscal year

ending cash balance
in millions, fiscal year

06  korn/ferry 2006

board of directors 

senior management   

corporate data 

Transfer Agent
Mellon Investor Services
Shareholder Services
PO Box 3315
South Hackensack, NJ 07606
Domestic: +1 877 889 7584
International: +1 201 329 8660
www.melloninvestor.com

Annual Meeting
September 19, 2006, 10:00 a.m. 
Park Hyatt Los Angeles
2151 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, California 90067

Legal Counsel
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP  

Investor Relations
Gary D. Burnison
+1 310 552 1834

Media Relations
Michael Distefano
+1 310 843 4199

Gary D. Burnison
Executive Vice President, 
Chief Operating Officer and 
Chief Financial Officer

Robert A. Damon
President, North America

Dan A. Demeter
Chief Information Officer

Peter L. Dunn
General Counsel

Gary C. Hourihan
Executive Vice President and President,  
Global Leadership Development 

Robert McNabb
Chief Executive Officer, Futurestep  
and Executive Vice President,  
Korn/Ferry International

Chris van Someren
President, Europe, Middle East & Africa

Don Spetner
Chief Marketing Officer

Charles Tseng
President, Asia Pacific

Paul C. Reilly 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Korn/Ferry International

James E. Barlett
Vice Chairman
TeleTech

Frank V. Cahouet
Retired Chairman, President  
and Chief Executive Officer
Mellon Financial Corporation

Sakie T. Fukushima
Senior Client Partner and Director
Korn/Ferry International

Patti S. Hart
Former Chairman and  
Chief Executive Officer
Pinnacle Systems, Inc.

David L. Lowe
Vice Chairman
Friedman Fleischer & Lowe

Edward D. Miller
Former President and  
Chief Executive Officer
AXA Financial, Inc. 

Ihno Schneevoigt
Former Management Board Member  
and Human Resources Director 
Allianz Versicherungs AG and 
Allianz Lebensversicherung AG

Gerhard Schulmeyer 
Managing Director
Gerhard, LLC

Ken Whipple
Chairman
CMS Energy Corporation

Harry You
Chief Executive Officer
BearingPoint Inc.

 
 
our offices worldwide

Miami
Minneapolis
Monterrey*
Montreal
New York
Northern Virginia
Philadelphia
Princeton
Quito*
Rio de Janeiro
San Francisco
Santiago
São Paulo
Seattle

Silicon Valley
Stamford
Toronto
Vancouver
Washington DC

Asia Pacific
Auckland
Bangkok
Beijing
Hong Kong
Jakarta
Kuala Lumpur
Melbourne

Mumbai
New Delhi
Seoul
Shanghai
Singapore
Sydney
Tokyo
Wellington

Europe,  
Middle East  
& Africa
Amsterdam
Athens

Milan
Moscow**
Oslo
Paris
Prague
Rome
Stockholm
Strasbourg
Vienna
Warsaw
Zurich

Barcelona
Brussels
Bucharest**
Budapest
Dubai
Frankfurt
Geneva
Helsinki
Istanbul**
Johannesburg**
London
Luxembourg
Lyon
Madrid

The Americas
Atlanta
Bogota
Boston
Buenos Aires
Calgary
Caracas
Chicago
Dallas
Houston
Irvine
Lima
Los Angeles
Mexico City*

 * Satellite Office

** Alliance Partner

1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2600
Los Angeles, California 90067 
Tel: +1 310 552 1834
Fax: +1 310 553 6452

www.kornferry.com