Workshop resources

Dream Big,
Start Small.

Put the workshop to work.

Revisit the slides, plan an experiment, and explore where AI can create value in executive search.

Beyond Using AI — document cover
Workshop slides

Beyond Using AI

Revisit the Chicago workshop: AI in executive search, design thinking, and experiments that test business value.

41 pages · PDF · 2.1 MB
Plan Your Next Experiment — document cover
Printable worksheet

Plan Your Next Experiment

Define the problem, choose a measure of success, and plan what to build and test.

2 pages · PDF · 25 KB
The AI Opportunity Map — document cover
Visual reference

The AI Opportunity Map

Explore where AI could improve a workflow or change how your firm works.

1 page · PDF · 1.6 MB
Six Levers of Value — document cover
Visual reference

Six Levers of Value

Connect AI activity to outcomes: lead quality, deal size, speed, win rate, and more.

1 page · PDF · 2.8 MB
AI in Action: Executive Search — document cover
Industry examples

AI in Action: Executive Search

See how search firms are changing their work, using evidence, and developing services.

8 pages · PDF · 774 KB
Workshop Tools

Synthetic examples, working files, and starter bundles for hands-on exploration.

First Time Vibe Coding?No coding experience needed. We’ll walk you through your first prototype.Start Here

Each ZIP includes CSV and JSON data, fictional source documents, a data dictionary, and a START-HERE.html guide. Download, unzip, and open the guide to begin.

13 datasets

Recruiter · Client stakeholder

Understand the Role

Turn an intake into a usable brief or scorecard.

Try: Scorecard Generation, Client Collaboration. More ideas

Preview Data

From the starter pack · fictional data

Included tables: careers.csv, documents.csv, interactions.csv, offers.csv, organizations.csv, participations.csv, people.csv, searches.csv, stage_events.csv, tasks.csv, users.csv.

searches.csv — first 3 records, 4 of 10 fields
search_idclient_idroleowner_id
S01O01CFO successionU01
S02O02Portfolio-company CEOU02
S03O03Transformation leaderU01

All fields in this table: search_id, client_id, role, owner_id, status, opened_at, closed_at, currency, fee_amount, confidentiality.

Source document excerpt · documents/brief.txt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP MATERIAL — INNOVA
Approved search brief
Document: D-brief | Search: S01
Observed: 2026-10-15 | Visibility: client_shared

S01 | CFO succession at Alder Quay Systems (O01). Sponsor: board member U05. The incumbent is not aware; external outreach must describe an unnamed business-services group. First-year outcomes: build a 13-week cash forecast, improve lender reporting, and prepare finance for two acquisitions. Location and compensation are not approved. CEO favors transferable operating experience; board favors listed-company exposure. Do not disclose the succession rationale in candidate outreach.
Researcher · Recruiter

Find and Research Executives

Explore careers, companies and evidence for a target list.

Try: Market Mapping, Research Automation, Candidate Verification. More ideas

Preview Data

From the starter pack · fictional data

Included tables: careers.csv, claims.csv, documents.csv, interactions.csv, offers.csv, organizations.csv, participations.csv, people.csv, searches.csv, stage_events.csv, tasks.csv, users.csv.

people.csv — first 3 records, 4 of 13 fields
person_idnameemailcurrent_organization_id
P001Alex Morganalex.morgan@example.invalidO04
P002Blair Chenblair.chen@example.invalidO05
P003Casey Patelcasey.patel@example.invalidO05

All fields in this table: person_id, name, email, current_organization_id, title, location, availability, relocation, contact_preference, relationship_owner_id, observed_at, verification_status, synthetic.

Source document excerpt · documents/brief.txt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP MATERIAL — INNOVA
Approved search brief
Document: D-brief | Search: S01
Observed: 2026-10-15 | Visibility: client_shared

S01 | CFO succession at Alder Quay Systems (O01). Sponsor: board member U05. The incumbent is not aware; external outreach must describe an unnamed business-services group. First-year outcomes: build a 13-week cash forecast, improve lender reporting, and prepare finance for two acquisitions. Location and compensation are not approved. CEO favors transferable operating experience; board favors listed-company exposure. Do not disclose the succession rationale in candidate outreach.
Recruiter · Partner

Communicate and Maintain Relationships

Draft relevant outreach and coordinate the next conversation.

Try: Outreach Automation, Outreach Quality, Relationship Signals. More ideas

Preview Data

From the starter pack · fictional data

Included tables: careers.csv, claims.csv, documents.csv, interactions.csv, offers.csv, organizations.csv, participations.csv, people.csv, searches.csv, stage_events.csv, tasks.csv, users.csv.

interactions.csv — first 3 records, 4 of 8 fields
interaction_idperson_idsearch_idowner_id
I0001P001S01U01
I0002P002S01U01
I0003P003S01U01

All fields in this table: interaction_id, person_id, search_id, owner_id, kind, occurred_at, summary, visibility.

Source document excerpt · documents/brief.txt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP MATERIAL — INNOVA
Approved search brief
Document: D-brief | Search: S01
Observed: 2026-10-15 | Visibility: client_shared

S01 | CFO succession at Alder Quay Systems (O01). Sponsor: board member U05. The incumbent is not aware; external outreach must describe an unnamed business-services group. First-year outcomes: build a 13-week cash forecast, improve lender reporting, and prepare finance for two acquisitions. Location and compensation are not approved. CEO favors transferable operating experience; board favors listed-company exposure. Do not disclose the succession rationale in candidate outreach.
Recruiter · Candidate

Assess and Verify Evidence

Compare claims, interviews and references with transparency where there is uncertainty.

Try: Candidate Assessments, Candidate Coaching, Output Verification. More ideas

Preview Data

From the starter pack · fictional data

Included tables: careers.csv, claims.csv, documents.csv, interactions.csv, offers.csv, organizations.csv, participations.csv, people.csv, searches.csv, stage_events.csv, tasks.csv, users.csv.

claims.csv — first 2 records, 4 of 8 fields
claim_idperson_idfieldvalue
CL01P001forecast_error_reductionapproximately 30 percent
CL03P001relocationmight consider London; not discussed with family

All fields in this table: claim_id, person_id, field, value, source_document_id, observed_at, verification_status, visibility.

Source document excerpt · documents/brief.txt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP MATERIAL — INNOVA
Approved search brief
Document: D-brief | Search: S01
Observed: 2026-10-15 | Visibility: client_shared

S01 | CFO succession at Alder Quay Systems (O01). Sponsor: board member U05. The incumbent is not aware; external outreach must describe an unnamed business-services group. First-year outcomes: build a 13-week cash forecast, improve lender reporting, and prepare finance for two acquisitions. Location and compensation are not approved. CEO favors transferable operating experience; board favors listed-company exposure. Do not disclose the succession rationale in candidate outreach.
Recruiter · Client stakeholder · Partner

Coordinate the Search and Client

Turn discussions, feedback and history into usable next actions.

Try: Integrated Meeting Notes, Client Self-Service, Institutional Memory, Unified Workspace. More ideas

Preview Data

From the starter pack · fictional data

Included tables: careers.csv, documents.csv, interactions.csv, offers.csv, organizations.csv, participations.csv, people.csv, searches.csv, stage_events.csv, tasks.csv, users.csv.

tasks.csv — first 2 records, 4 of 6 fields
task_idsearch_idowner_iddescription
T01S01U02Compare London travel and office costs
T02S01U01Confirm compensation approval

All fields in this table: task_id, search_id, owner_id, description, due_date, status.

Source document excerpt · documents/brief.txt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP MATERIAL — INNOVA
Approved search brief
Document: D-brief | Search: S01
Observed: 2026-10-15 | Visibility: client_shared

S01 | CFO succession at Alder Quay Systems (O01). Sponsor: board member U05. The incumbent is not aware; external outreach must describe an unnamed business-services group. First-year outcomes: build a 13-week cash forecast, improve lender reporting, and prepare finance for two acquisitions. Location and compensation are not approved. CEO favors transferable operating experience; board favors listed-company exposure. Do not disclose the succession rationale in candidate outreach.
Operations lead · Partner

Improve Firm Operations and Data

Reconcile records, inspect delivery metrics and test workflow rules.

Try: Data Cleanup, Reports and Dashboards, Automated Data Flows, Data as an Asset, Conflict/Off-Limits Checks. More ideas

Preview Data

From the starter pack · fictional data

Included tables: careers.csv, dirty_crm.csv, documents.csv, interactions.csv, offers.csv, organizations.csv, participations.csv, people.csv, searches.csv, stage_events.csv, tasks.csv, users.csv.

dirty_crm.csv — first 3 records, 4 of 6 fields
source_record_idnameemailorganization_id
CRM-A001Alex Morganalex.morgan@example.invalidO03
CRM-B077A. Morganalex.morgan@example.invalidO04
CRM-B078Alex Morganalex.morgan.11@example.invalidO02

All fields in this table: source_record_id, name, email, organization_id, observed_at, search_id.

Candidate · Recruiter

Candidate Evidence and Coaching

Eight complete dossiers with interviews, references, coaching tasks and a shared evidence rubric.

Try: Candidate Assessments, Candidate Coaching, Output Verification, Candidate Verification. More ideas

Preview Data

Fictional sample records

coaching_questions.csv — first 3 records, 4 fields
question_idperson_idquestionobservable_success
CQ01P001The lender asks why the forecast changed again. Explain the uncertainty without hiding it.Explain your contribution without claiming the controller’s work or presenting the approximate improvement as verified.
CQ02P002Explain why a division-level result is relevant without claiming group-level scope.Translate divisional experience honestly and ask what support the group CFO role would provide.
CQ03P003The interviewer asks whether you personally negotiated the acquisition. Give an accurate answer and bridge to your relevant experience.Use the integration example. Say directly where your experience ends and do not invent a deal-negotiation story.

Source document excerpt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP SOURCE
Alex Morgan career statement
XL-P001-BIO | candidate_private | 2026-10-30 | S01

Alex Morgan, CFO at O04. Directory location: London; relocation not established.
Relevant professional scope: Group treasury and lender reporting across four units. Team size: 24. Historical experience includes industrial distribution in a private setting; this does not reclassify the current employer.
Candidate-reported outcome: Forecast error may have fallen about 30%; baseline not verified.
Career dates and employers are in common/careers.csv. Contact is the non-deliverable address in common/people.csv. This biography is a source claim, not independent confirmation.
Researcher · Client stakeholder

Explore the Talent Pool

Sixty evidence-linked profiles, saved filter scenarios, reference connections and fictional flight routes.

Try: Market Mapping, Client Collaboration, Research Automation. More ideas

Preview Data

Fictional sample records

achievement_evidence.csv — first 3 records, 4 fields
achievement_idperson_idsource_document_idmetric
ACH001P001CAL-P001forecast_error_relative_reduction
ACH002P002CAL-P002reporting_preparation
ACH003P003CAL-P003units_integrated

Source document excerpt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP SOURCE
Alex Morgan calibration evidence
CAL-P001 | internal | 2026-10-30 | S01

Executive: P001, Alex Morgan. Current employer and title remain those in common/people.csv.
Historical end market: industrial distribution.
Prior listed-company experience: False. Group-level finance ownership: True. Cash forecasting ownership evidenced: True. Post-close integration ownership evidenced: not supplied.
Authored dossier context: I chaired the weekly risk review and asked the controller to rebuild the forecast with operations. I did not build the model myself. The weekly discussion improved. I would check the historical reports before quoting the 30 percent number.
An absent value means unknown, not no experience. No field establishes candidate interest, eligibility or future performance.
Recruiter · Partner

Find a Reason to Reconnect

Thirty dated signals, relationship links, contact history and eight calendar events.

Try: Relationship Signals, Outreach Quality, Outreach Automation. More ideas

Preview Data

Fictional sample records

calendar_events.csv — first 3 records, 4 fields
calendar_event_idperson_idsearch_idmeeting_type
CALX01P001S01candidate
CALX02P002S01candidate
CALX03P003S01candidate

Source document excerpt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP SOURCE
Signal excerpt 1
SIG001 | internal | 2026-10-20 | S01

Fictional source excerpt. Subject name: Alex Morgan; proposed identity P001.
Event type: promotion. Event date: 2026-10-20. Observed date: 2026-10-20. Originating story: NEWS001. Source status: current.
Professional congratulations may be relevant; does not imply job interest.
Do not treat the observation as a candidate statement of interest.
Recruiter · Partner

Turn Conversations into Firm Knowledge

Ten substantial transcripts with version history, access context and reusable search questions.

Try: Integrated Meeting Notes, Institutional Memory, Scorecard Generation, Unified Workspace, Client Self-Service. More ideas

Preview Data

Fictional sample records

brief_versions.csv — first 3 records, 4 fields
version_idsearch_ideffective_atlocation
BV01S012026-08-15Chicago office-based preference
BV02S012026-10-16not approved
BV03S012026-10-26London and hybrid considered

Source document excerpt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP SOURCE
Standardized role scorecard template
MT-SCORECARD-TEMPLATE | internal | 2026-10-30 | S01

Role and search ID; first-year business outcome; observable criterion; evidence needed; required or preferred or unresolved; decision owner; source quote and date; version and approval state. Do not invent weights. A draft is not approved merely because it is complete.
Candidate · Recruiter

Observe Decisions under Pressure

Three branching business exercises with role briefs, timed injects and synthetic participant traces.

Try: Candidate Assessments, Candidate Coaching. More ideas

Preview Data

Fictional sample records

competencies.csv — first 3 records, 4 fields
competency_idnameanchor_1anchor_3
cash_forecastingCash forecastingExplains no owned processOwns recurring forecast with finance and operations
lender_communicationLender communicationNo direct lender responsibility shownOwns recurring lender reporting and explains variances
integrationAcquisition integrationNo owned integration work shownOwns a post-close workstream and explains adoption

Source document excerpt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP SOURCE
How to run a text simulation
SIM-RUNNER | internal | 2026-10-30 | S01

Choose one simulation and show only its brief and current inject. Give the participant three minutes to choose or propose an alternative and explain why. Reveal that choice’s immediate consequence; move to the next node. Record exact reasoning, not just A/B/C. Never send all future injects to a role-player before starting. A prototype may load the branch table, but should hide unreached branches. Practice traces are invented examples, not observed human behavior. Review missing evidence, tradeoffs, decision ownership and willingness to correct. Keep facilitator expectations out of the model performing the participant role.
Client stakeholder · Operations lead

Test a Smaller Search Service

Three fictional service packages, six client requests, effort assumptions and scenario costs.

Try: Client Self-Service, Client Collaboration, Reports and Dashboards. More ideas

Preview Data

Fictional sample records

client_requests.csv — first 3 records, 4 fields
request_idclient_idrequested_outcomebudget_usd
RQ01O01Research names without contacting candidates15000
RQ02O02Five executives guaranteed to accept30000
RQ03O03Engaged pipeline with weekly visibility28000

Source document excerpt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP SOURCE
Fictional economics and scope definitions
EC-DEFINITIONS | internal | 2026-10-30 | S01

All figures are invented workshop assumptions in USD, not pricing advice or market benchmarks. Revision hours are consultant hours. Baseline labor = research_hours*65 + (consultant_hours+revision_hours)*150 + coordination_hours*45. Scenario labor = baseline labor*effort_multiplier + additional_consultant_hours*150. Total modeled cost = scenario labor*(1+allocated_overhead_fraction) + direct_expense_usd. Net revenue = price_usd*(1-discount_fraction). Modeled contribution = net revenue - total modeled cost; contribution margin = contribution/net revenue. Taxes, financing, replacement guarantees and acquisition costs are excluded, so this is not accounting profit. Deadlines in requests are wishes, not accepted commitments.
Operations lead · Candidate

Connect Assessment and Development

Shared competency definitions, role criteria, development plans and fictional compensation observations.

Try: Candidate Assessments, Candidate Coaching, Reports and Dashboards, Data as an Asset. More ideas

Preview Data

Fictional sample records

compensation_observations.csv — first 3 records, 4 fields
observation_idrolescopecountry
PAY001CFOgroupUK
PAY002CFOdivisionCA
PAY003CFOgroupDE

Source document excerpt

FICTIONAL WORKSHOP SOURCE
Development and assessment boundary
DEV-BOUNDARIES | internal | 2026-10-30 | S01

These plans are candidate-private exercises, not client suitability judgments. A better practice answer does not prove better on-the-job results. Keep observations separate from goals and from confirmed outcomes. Do not mark a plan complete because its review date arrives. The competency model is invented for this workshop and does not reproduce any vendor’s proprietary intellectual property.
Ideas for How to Use This Data ↗

All people, organizations, and scenarios are fictional. CSV and JSON files are alternative formats of the same records. For a data-cleanup exercise, start with the dirty CRM before consulting clean records.

Want to run a workshop like this for your organization?

Reach out for details at contact@eaiac.org.

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