Interview - Hunt Scanlon Media: Five Years Later
We were recently featured on Hunt Scanlon Media for our piece, "Five Years Later," which explores how the business and leadership landscape has evolved in the five years since COVID. In this interview, I reflect on the pivotal moments we've experienced alongside our clients and how we continue to help shape resilient leadership in today’s post-pandemic world.
Steven, how do you tailor your search process to fit the unique needs of a company in my industry?
We’re experts in partnering with entrepreneurial companies that tend to be PE backed, privately held, and many time family-owned businesses. Z3Talent takes a highly tailored approach to each search, ensuring alignment with the unique demands of your industry. We invest time upfront to deeply understand your business model, leadership needs, and competitive landscape. Our experience across diverse industries, including engineering, construction, industrial services, technology, and professional services allows us to adapt best practices while addressing sector-specific challenges.
What strategies do you use to identify and assess high-caliber talent, and how does your behavioralist contribute to this process?
Z3Talent leverages a multi-channel sourcing strategy that includes: A proactive outreach to passive executive talent; referral networks built through years of industry relationships; and targeted research leveraging our proprietary database. We utilize a professional behavioralist who plays a crucial role in assessing leadership competencies, decision-making styles, and cultural alignment through structured interviews and validated assessment tools.
What is your typical timeline for filling executive positions, and what key performance indicators do you use to measure success?
Typical executive searches take 8-12 weeks, depending on role complexity and key stakeholders’ availability. We measure our success is measured by: Candidate quality & fit (skills, leadership style, and culture alignment); client satisfaction & retention (tracking performance post-hire), and time-to-fill (balancing speed with precision).
How do you ensure that candidates not only have the right skills but also align with our company culture and long-term goals?
Z3Talent integrates culture mapping into our assessment process, ensuring candidates align with your values and leadership team dynamics. We also conduct 360-degree reference checks to validate fit beyond skill sets. Z3Talent maintains a structured communication cadence, providing: Weekly progress updates; real-time market insights, and transparent feedback loops between candidates and your team.
“Our commitment extends beyond placement as our success as a firm is directly tied to the success of our placement outcomes.”
Do you offer any guarantee on placements, and what kind of post-hiring support or follow-up do you provide to ensure a smooth transition?
We offer a placement guarantee of 12 months and remain engaged post hire with structured check-ins to ensure a smooth transition. Our commitment extends beyond placement as our success as a firm is directly tied to the success of our placement outcomes.
Tell us what you see happening in the Denver/Colorado Market.
The Denver market is highly competitive, with increasing demand for executive talent across industries. Growth sectors include technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and private equity-backed businesses. Cost of living and talent mobility are key factors influencing executive hiring trends.
We provide market intelligence and compensation benchmarking to help position your opportunity effectively. Denver’s business market remains diverse and resilient, with key industries such as aerospace, energy, technology, financial services, and healthcare driving economic activity. The city continues to attract talent and investment, though certain sectors, particularly office real estate, are experiencing shifts.
What about looking ahead?
Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, Denver is positioned for moderate economic growth, supported by its diverse industry base and strong consumer demand. However, commercial real estate challenges may persist, particularly in office leasing, as businesses continue to adjust workplace strategies. The retail sector is expected to remain strong, driven by population growth and urban revitalization efforts.
Additionally, venture capital and private equity interest in Denver-based startups and high-growth companies will likely contribute to sustained momentum in technology and healthcare innovation. While macroeconomic conditions such as interest rates and inflation will play a role in overall business confidence, Denver’s broad economic foundation and strategic location make it a city poised for continued long-term success.
Warm regards,
Steve Ziegler
Founder & Managing Partner
250 Fillmore Street, Suite 150, Denver, CO 80206
steve@z3talent.com | z3talent.com
O 303.801.1771 C 303.669.2966