On the other hand, some search firms are using internet searching extensively. We even find pertinent information on the web that may become part of a candidate's writeup. Locating people has become a lot easier, too. Let's puncture the 'bigger is better' myth. If 'off limits' is strictly observed, it sets a ceiling on large firm size.
Large firms are harder to manage.
Let's not judge a firm by its press clippings. Instead of lauding and lionizing Lester Korn for 'discovering' PR, for example, we should be glorifying Gardner Heidrick for setting high standards. While to me blockage has always been an ethical issue, it may be more important to the small search firm than to the client. For example, I was bewildered recently when a search firm was simultaneously presenting a candidate to two different clients and the HR executive of one was not upset. A partner in a large search firm told me than in the high tech industry his firm gave no off limits protection whatsoever to clients, yet companies still use that search firm because they know the industry so well.