Well known (and respected) HR research firm Bersin & Associates said today that it has been “substantially” acquired by global human capital consultancy Deloitte, according to an announcement by both companies.
According to a news release from Deloitte,
Deloitte has acquired substantially all of the assets of Oakland, Calif.-based Bersin & Associates, LLC, a leading provider of research-based membership programs and advisory services in the human resources (HR), talent and learning market. Combined with Deloitte’s leading human capital and talent capabilities, Deloitte and Bersin are poised to provide the talent marketplace with broad HR and talent management solutions ranging from data, research and analysis, strategic insights and technology selection through final implementation.”
Bersin & Associates now “Bersin by Deloitte”
A similar announcement from Josh Bersin of Bersin & Associates said, in part:
Beginning today, the HR research, professional development, and analyst organization Bersin & Associates LLC has become part of Deloitte Consulting LLP.
Operating as a distinct group, Bersin by Deloitte will continue to provide the services that have made us a market leader in primary research, practical tools, analyst insights, and data which help HR, talent, and learning leaders develop leading solutions.”
Both companies make the the point that Bersin “remains a distinct team operating out of its Oakland, California headquarters” and will operate under the name “Bersin by Deloitte.” Deloitte’s statement added that “the Bersin team will remain intact focused on delivering analytics, research, and tools that employers use as a foundation for day-to-day decision making,” and that “as part of Deloitte’s presence in the talent market, (Bersin) gains a larger stage for its insights and a vastly expanded ability to gather timely, real-world data.”
No sale price for the acquisition of privately-held Bersin was given by either company.
According to its press release, Deloitte “has aggregate global firm revenues of $31.3 billion with 193,000 employees as of September, 2012. The company’s human capital consulting business provides a wide range of services, including HR transformation, HR technology strategy and implementation, organization and talent, total rewards, actuarial risk and analytics, and employer services. Bersin by Deloitte is a business unit within the US Human Capital business.”
Entire Bersin team will remain
As Josh Bersin noted in his blog post announcing the acquisition, “Our entire team, including our executive team, research organization, sales, and support organization will remain. We will function as a business unit within Deloitte Human Capital LLP.”
He added:
Everything you know about Bersin’s rigorous research, tools, information, and services will remain. We will continue to pioneer the development of actionable, practical, research-based tools and information to help you elevate organizational performance through your talent, HR, and management practices.
Our research agenda will expand, even beyond the 11 new subject areas launched in December. We will develop a family of new analytics and data products. And we will make significant investments in our BersinInsights® information platform, delivering on the intent to “change the way HR and learning professionals work.”
Our goal is to be your “indispensible information source” for relevant, research-based information and tools in many areas of Human Resources. We will continue to focus on our six practice areas (L&D, Talent Management, Leadership, Talent Acquisition, HR, and HR Tools & Technology) and expand our subject areas…”
Josh Bersin also specifically addressed the question he said that many people are asking him today: “why Deloitte?”
Over the last year we, as an organization, developed tremendous respect for Deloitte. Deloitte is a trusted advisor to global businesses around the world with deep experience in analytics and data. Deloitte is a “talent-driven” company as are we. And Deloitte prides itself on intimate client relationships.
For 10 years we have focused on delivering high-quality, actionable research and tools in many areas of HR. As our business grew we saw an expanding market opportunity for our membership and services. Deloitte understood this and is helping us grow the offering, reach, and scale of what we do.”