profile updated Mar 4, 2008, 10:53 PM
This is one of the largest and oldest assessment and talent-development firms in the world, and we mean world in the literal sense.
DDI, as it calls itself, has offices in 26 countries plus the United States. Its tests are available in 21 different languages. And its client list reads like an international corporate Who's Who. Included on the list are some of the biggest names in finance, oil, telecommunications, healthcare, CPG, high-tech and, we just had to name this one, the Central Intelligence Agency. DDI prides itself not only on helping hire 10,000 workers a day (its number, not ours), but nurturing and developing executive talent. The company has a wide variety of products falling into three broad categories: hiring and promotion assessment tools; middle and front-line management training; and executive development.
DDI's approach is more holistic than our categorization might suggest; while it starts with an off-the-shelf program, the company accounts for the client's specific industry and unique characteristics and looks at both the strategic vision and the internal systems to put together a plan customized for just that client.
News & Updates 
Products & Services
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Hiring and Promotion
A variety of specific products fall under this general heading, all of them geared toward asessing and rating candidates for hire. Other tools assess the promotion readiness of internal candidates. Two of its branded tools are AcqHire and Targeted Selection. -
Leadership Development
On the website this service is called "Developing Extraordinary Leaders." The focus is on assessing the potential of line and mid-management then providing training in class and on the Web to develop their management and leadership skills. Says DDI: "We develop front-line and middle managers who can drive results, develop star performers, and improve engagement." -
Unleashing Executive Talent
Unleashing Executive Talent is what DDI calls this product lineup and its as good a name as any. The assessment tools here include those geared toward senior managers, helping identify top performers ready to move into the executive ranks. In addition, DDI offers customized programs, talent audits, executive assessment and the coaching (at this level the word "training" is indelicate) to fix problems and help the company get the most from its senior people.