Cipher® Featured in HRM Outlook: Why the Best Hiring Decisions Start with Clarity

July 29, 2026 · Megan Petrola

Cipher®: A Proven Framework to Hire the Best People and the methodology behind it were recently featured in HRM Outlook's article,"Looking to Make the Best Possible Hire? First Develop a Cipher."

The article highlights a reality many leaders and HR professionals know all too well: hiring mistakes are expensive. According to the piece, traditional hiring methods often produce disappointing results because organizations fail to clearly define success, rely on unstructured interviews, and make decisions based on intuition rather than evidence.

The solution? Start with a Cipher®.

A Cipher is not a job description. It's a practical framework that defines, in measurable terms, what success must look like in a role before interviewing begins. By creating alignment around outcomes, deliverables, and priorities, organizations can evaluate candidates against what truly matters rather than relying on "gut feel."

This idea sits at the heart of the Cipher® book. Hiring success isn't about asking better interview questions alone, it's about first gaining clarity on what the organization actually needs. When leaders define success before reviewing candidates, interviews become more objective, bias is reduced, and hiring decisions become more consistent.

For CEOs, HR leaders, hiring managers, and private equity-backed companies focused on growth, the message is simple:

The quality of your team depends on the quality of your hiring process.

We're honored that HRM Outlook recognized the value of this approach and the impact that structured hiring can have on organizational performance.

Read the full feature in HRM Outlook: Looking to Make the Best Possible Hire? First Develop a Cipher

Start where the article says to start: what building a Cipher actually does · the book.

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Cipher® Featured in HRM Outlook: Why the Best Hiring Decisions Start with Clarity

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