Korn Ferry (KFY) 2026 Baird Global Consumer, Technology & Services Conference summary

Labor market and industry trends

• U.S. labor market remains challenging with declining participation and mixed signals on job creation and AI impact.

• AI is viewed as a tool to augment human productivity, not replace jobs, with a focus on AI+human collaboration.

• Clients increasingly seek guidance on workforce structure and future planning, especially with demographic shifts like retiring baby boomers.

Business performance and growth drivers

• Executive search has seen strong growth, with average fees up 9.5% and volume up 6.5% over recent years.

• Brand elevation and holistic talent solutions have driven market leadership, surpassing traditional competitors.

• Significant client relationships now reach up to $40 million annually, with deeper client penetration prioritized over new client acquisition.

Strategic initiatives and operational transformation

• The "We Are Korn Ferry" initiative aims to break down silos, foster collaborative selling, and embed a client-centric approach across the organization.

• Cross-functional collaboration has increased, with referral-based revenues rising from 25% to 27.5% over recent quarters.

• Digital solutions and the Talent Suite platform are central to scaling, offering high-margin opportunities and integrating data, IP, and behavioral science.