When the board of directors ousts your CEO for running the company into the ground, it might look to SSI (U.S.) -- more commonly known as Spencer Stuart Management Consultants -- for a replacement. Founded in 1956, the firm offers leadership consulting and executive search services, specializing in searches for top-level executives and board directors. Clients hire Spencer Stuart to recruit the best chief executives and functional leaders in such areas as finance, human resources, information technology, legal, and marketing. Citing the desire to protect client confidentiality, the firm's partners have declined to follow rivals into the public marketplace.