What McLean & Company does

McLean & Company is a global HR research and advisory firm that operates on a membership-based subscription model serving HR leaders, HR business partners, HR generalists, and people managers across organizations. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the firm operates as a division of Info-Tech Research Group Inc. Its stated scale includes 30,000+ members sharing best practices, 251-500 employees, and a research base informed by surveys such as the 2023-2025 HR Management and Governance Survey with 1,681 respondents. Primary buyer segments are HR Leaders (CHROs, HR Directors, HR Managers, HR Business Partners) and People Leaders, with a horizontal go-to-market across functions (HR Strategy, Culture, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Learning & Development, HR Technology & Operations).

The underlying technology stack is content- and methodology-led rather than a software platform. Core IP includes the proprietary HR Management and Governance (HRMG) framework, blueprint methodologies delivered as step-by-step project roadmaps, downloadable tools/templates (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, PDF), full-service HR diagnostic surveys, an online learning platform (McLean Academy) with HRPA/SHRM/HRCI-approved certification credits, and event-driven community assets (McLean Signature annual conference, HR Executive Peer Forum, McLean IGNITE). Sub-brands McLean 360 Feedback, McLean Connect, and McLean EXM extend the offering under the Info-Tech single sign-on ecosystem. The firm has no API, no SDK, and no disclosed native AI models.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring annual membership subscriptions that grant access to the research library, diagnostics, templates, and guided implementations. Secondary revenue comes from premium professional services, including Guided Implementations with researcher touchpoints, Executive Services / CHRO counseling, Workshops, Training Programs, and the newly launched HR Benchmarking Advisory Service (October 2025) and CHRO Playbook (November 2025). Distribution combines a self-serve digital membership platform with a direct enterprise sales motion, content marketing, research publications, and flagship event demand generation, supported by a 30-day trial for prospects.

Name

McLean & Company

Legal name

McLean & Company

Website

https://hr.mcleanco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

McLean & Company is a global HR research and advisory firm operating on a membership-based subscription model, serving HR leaders and people managers with diagnostic surveys, blueprint methodologies, training programs, guided implementations, and benchmarking services, as a division of Info-Tech Research Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HR Research and Advisory Services

NAICS

Human Resources Consulting Services (541612), Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Management Consulting Services (541618)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

HR Service Delivery, Shared Services & HR Operating Model Advisory (BPACAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

HR Technology (HRIS/HCM) Advisory & Implementation (BPAHAGAG), Workforce Analytics & HR Metrics Advisory (BPACAJAK), Data, Analytics & AI Consulting (BPAHAEAF), People Analytics, Assessment & Psychometrics Consulting (BPAHAGAH)

Keywords

• HR research advisory
• HR diagnostic surveys
• Talent management consulting
• HR blueprint methodology
• Leadership development training

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: McLean & Company operates primarily on a membership-based subscription model. Members pay for access to the full library of research blueprints, tools, templates, diagnostics, training programs, and advisory support. The membership model provides ongoing access with continuous updates and new content.
2. Guided Implementations: Premium advisory services providing over-the-phone analyst support at key project milestones, included with membership or available as add-on services.
3. Training Programs and Workshops: Facilitated training programs and innovative workshop offerings that provide hands-on HR project support, delivered as part of membership or standalone engagements.
4. HR Benchmarking Advisory Service: New service launched in 2025 that combines external benchmark data with personalized advisory support, likely operating on a premium advisory fee structure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

McLean & Company delivers HR research and advisory services through a membership-based platform that provides diagnostic surveys, step-by-step blueprint methodologies, tools, templates, training programs, guided implementations, and personalized executive advisory support. The firm covers seven core HR domains including HR Strategy, Culture, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Learning & Development, and HR Technology & Operations, supported by the proprietary HR Management and Governance (HRMG) framework.

Product overview

McLean & Company is a global HR research and advisory firm offering a membership-based platform that provides practical HR solutions through multiple integrated service lines. The core offering consists of HR Diagnostic Surveys that collect employee experience data, and HR Research & Advisory Blueprints covering hundreds of HR topics across seven core domains: HR Strategy, Culture, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Learning & Development, and HR Technology & Operations. Supporting services include Guided Implementations (over-the-phone advisory support), Executive Services (personal development), Workshops (accelerated project kickstarts), and Training Programs with McLean Academy for professional development credits. The firm also hosts events including the annual McLean Signature Conference, HR Executive Peer Forum, and McLean IGNITE. Resources include extensive Tools & Templates, Policies, Storyboards, and Research Notes. Recent offerings include the CHRO Playbook (strategic framework), HR Benchmarking Advisory Service, and an Awards & Recognition Program. The company, a division of Info-Tech Research Group, has introduced single sign-on access across its family of sites including Info-Tech Research Group, McLean 360 Feedback, McLean Connect, and McLean EXM.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• McLean Signature: Annual HR conference featuring keynotes, panels, and peer exchanges for senior HR leaders
• McLean Academy
• McLean IGNITE
• HR Executive Peer Forum
• McLean 360 Feedback
• McLean Connect
• McLean EXM

Products and services

• HR Diagnostic Surveys Full-service diagnostic programs that collect employee experience data and uncover insights on organizational priorities to inform HR strategy and initiatives. Designed for HR leaders and HR departments.
• HR Research and Advisory (Blueprints) Tactical research covering hundreds of HR topics across all core industry roles, delivered as step-by-step blueprint methodologies with tools and templates for solving HR problems.
• Guided Implementations Over-the-phone advisory support providing unlimited guidance to navigate HR projects successfully, with multiple touchpoints with researchers included in membership.
• Executive Services Personal development and HR challenge guidance delivered by experienced HR leaders as an extension of the client's team.
• Workshops Innovative approach to kick-start strategic HR projects, solving pressing HR problems in one week through facilitated engagement.
• Training Programs Skills improvement programs designed through real-world examples and facilitated conversations, covering leadership development, manager training, and HR professional development.
• McLean Academy Online learning platform with video-based courses and module tests for professional development credits (HRPA, SHRM, HRCI approved), including AI and HR technology strategy courses.
• McLean Signature Conference Annual flagship HR conference convening over 700 senior HR leaders for three days of keynotes, panels, peer exchanges, and interactive working sessions. Theme for 2026: 'Human-Centric, Future-Ready', held October 4-6, 2026 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
• HR Executive Peer Forum Peer networking event for HR executives to share insights and best practices.
• McLean IGNITE HR-focused event featuring rapid-fire presentations and interactive sessions.
• Tools and Templates Library Collection of practical Excel tools, Word document templates, PowerPoint presentations, and PDF resources supporting HR project execution.
• Policies and Policy Templates Ready-to-use HR policy templates and policy management software for organizational governance.
• Develop a Holistic HR Technology Strategy (Blueprint) Guides organizations to create comprehensive HR technology strategies aligned with organizational goals, including roadmap development and change management. Contains PowerPoints, Word Documents, and Excel Tools.
• Build a Strategic AI Roadmap (Blueprint) Holistic approach to crafting AI strategy that maximizes value, manages risk, and prepares for future developments. Contains 5 PowerPoints, 2 Word Documents, 3 Excel Tools, and 3 PDF Documents.
• Select an HR Technology (Blueprint) Step-by-step guidance for selecting HR technology by prioritizing organizational and HR fit. Contains 6 PowerPoints, 6 Word Documents, and 8 Excel Tools.
• Harness the Potential of AI in HR (Blueprint) Focuses HR resources to maximize AI capabilities and support organizations through technological disruption. Contains 5 PowerPoints, 5 Word Documents, 3 Excel Tools, and 1 PDF Document.
• Co-Architecting the Future Through HR and IT Collaboration (Blueprint) Strategic guidance for collaboration between HR and IT functions. Contains 4 PowerPoints, 1 Word Document, 1 Excel Tool, and 1 PDF Document.
• Develop Responsible AI Guiding Principles (Blueprint) Charts the course to successful AI adoption to maximize opportunities and mitigate risks. Contains 3 PowerPoints, 3 Word Documents, and 1 Excel Tool.
• AI Preparation Guide for HR Enables HR teams to proactively prepare for artificial intelligence implementation. Contains 1 PowerPoint and 1 Excel Tool.
• Get Started With HR Project Management (Blueprint) Applies project management fundamentals to guide impactful HR outcomes, based on 2023-2025 HR Management and Governance Survey findings. Contains 10 PowerPoints and 2 Excel Tools.
• CHRO Playbook Strategic framework and partnership helping HR leaders and CHROs navigate complex roles and increase strategic influence, including capability framework and self-assessment tools.
• HR Benchmarking Advisory Service Combines external benchmark data with personalized advisory support to help HR leaders interpret metrics, align data with strategy, and make informed decisions. Features advisory debriefs, tailored reports, and peer comparisons.

Quantifiable outcome

• Organizations matching individuals to work based on skills are 1.4 times more likely to achieve high organizational performance
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Info-Tech Research Group Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcLean & Company is a division of Info-Tech Research Group Inc. The parent company provides operational infrastructure, shared services, and strategic direction. McLean & Company operates under the Info-Tech umbrella while maintaining its distinct brand identity and focus on HR research and advisory services. The two entities share single sign-on for members who have multiple memberships.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Gartner: Gartner operates a large HR research and advisory practice (Gartner HR) serving CHROs with subscription research, advisory, and conferences. It is the most direct large-scale comparator to McLean for HR leader membership and advisory engagements, though Gartner spans IT and broader executive research.
• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): SHRM is the largest global membership organization for HR professionals, offering certification (SHRM-CP/SCP), learning, and resources. It is comparable to McLean's professional-development and membership model, with broader reach but less specialized blueprint-and-advisory depth.
• Bersin (Deloitte): Deloitte's Bersin practice delivers enterprise HR research, benchmarking, and advisory integrated with broader consulting offerings. It overlaps McLean's membership-based research plus implementation support, though typically at larger enterprise price points via Deloitte's consulting channel.
• The Conference Board: The Conference Board operates HR-related councils, research, and executive peer networks serving senior HR leaders. It overlaps with McLean's peer forums and advisory offerings, though its primary identity is broader executive research.

Direct peers

• Josh Bersin Company: Josh Bersin Company provides subscription HR research, advisory, and the 'Bersin' reports targeting HR leaders. It is a direct peer in HR-focused research membership, with a comparable content-and-advisory model oriented around HR strategy, talent, and learning.
• i4cp (Institute for Corporate Productivity): i4cp is a membership-based HR research organization focused on workforce productivity, talent, and culture benchmarks. It is a direct peer offering peer-powered research, benchmarks, and member collaboration, addressing the same HR leader persona as McLean.
• Brandon Hall Group: Brandon Hall Group provides HCM-focused research, benchmarking, and awards (Brandon Hall Excellence Awards) targeting HR, talent, and learning leaders. It is a direct peer with comparable research, awards program, and HCM content specialization, though smaller in scale.
• Aberdeen Group: Aberdeen Group provides subscription-based research and benchmarks across HR, talent, and broader technology categories. It competes with McLean in research-and-advisory subscription content for HR and operations leaders.
• Lighthouse Research & Advisory: Lighthouse Research & Advisory offers HR and learning research, advisory, and benchmarking services through a subscription model. It is a direct peer targeting similar HR leader personas with research-and-advisory content bundles.

Others

• UKG: UKG is a major HR technology vendor whose customers have referenced McLean & Company in technology selection decisions. While not a direct research peer, UKG's expanding own-branded content and HR advisory capabilities make it an adjacent ecosystem player that competes for HR leader mindshare.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hrmcleanco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1381417

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about McLean & Company