Batrus Hollweg International and Taleo Announce Strategic Partnership

Partnership provides first comprehensive restaurant talent management solution leveraging the foodservice industry's leading talent assessment science and proven staffing management software solutions

DALLAS and SAN FRANCISCO (September 22, 2004) – Batrus Hollweg International, (BHI) the leading talent assessment and development firm for the foodservice industry, and Taleo Corporation, the leading provider of talent management software solutions for large organizations, today announced the formation of a strategic partnership to deliver the industry's first comprehensive talent management solution. The solution combines leading talent assessment science and proven enterprise software solutions for addressing the staffing needs of the foodservice industry, including restaurant staff, management, field and executive leadership, and other foodservice specific positions.

Combining Taleo's award-winning enterprise talent management solutions with BHI's extensive assessment expertise in the foodservice industry provides an unmatched and comprehensive solution for effectively optimizing the foodservice talent lifecycle. This strategic partnership empowers foodservice organizations to manage the entire enterprise's talent pool while ensuring quality of hire and enhanced productivity. In addition, this partnership enables foodservice companies to reduce the cost to hire, turnover and associated risks that are often present in the hiring and assessment process without an automated and comprehensive talent assessment and management solution.

"Over the past 35 years, leading foodservice companies have relied on our assessment and developmental systems to help them select and develop the best talent. We know the restaurant business and our science-based tools precisely predict the fit and performance of a person in a specific job," said Lewis Hollweg, chairman and CEO, Batrus Hollweg International. "With this new partnership, we're extending our proven assessment and selection science to a web-based, talent management solution. We chose to partner with Taleo because of their leading expertise in enterprise staffing, configurable technology solutions, and commitment to customer satisfaction, which is aligned with our relationship focused approach."

Taleo Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development Tom Lavey stated, "One of the most important success factors in any restaurant is the people they employ. We selected Batrus Hollweg as our partner for the foodservice industry because of their incomparable expertise in selection science and understanding of the restaurant business. Combining Batrus Hollweg's industry-leading foodservice assessment expertise with our award-winning solutions provides restaurateurs with an unmatched solution for hiring the right people."

"Most companies spend more than half their revenue on human capital expenses. Enterprise-wide management of this human capital investment is a critical business strategy and this partnership between Batrus Hollweg and Taleo now makes practical application a reality for the foodservice industry, the largest employer outside the U.S. government," stated Linda Pharr, president, Batrus Hollweg. "Successfully managing human capital requires proven selection science assessment tools for the industry and a flexible technology platform, which is what the partnership brings to the marketplace," added Pharr.

Leadership in Assessments & Selection Science

Batrus Hollweg is the leading knowledge expert on the art of selection science for total talent management in the restaurant industry and has the largest database of assessment profiles for the restaurant industry categorized by industry segment and by job. The firm has also conducted extensive research on restaurant jobs and the competencies necessary for success. Batrus Hollweg completed groundbreaking research for the restaurant industry including "Productivity Crimes: Realities, Risks & Profit Potential" as well as the "Industry of Choice Study" for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

Leadership in Enterprise Talent Management and Workforce Logistics

Taleo is the industry-leading provider of talent management solutions for large organizations. Taleo provides software and services that enable these leading organizations to improve the quality and agility of the workforce assignment process. Recently awarded the 2004 HR Technology Excellence Award, Taleo's Enterprise Staffing Management Suite provides organizations with the solutions they need for all worker types including professional, hourly, and contingent, all in a single solution. The Taleo Enterprise Staffing Management Suite™ is at work for more than 365,000 registered users in approximately 85 countries. The company's solutions are completely configurable for multiple business processes, business cycles, geographic regions, hiring types and staffing models.

About Batrus Hollweg International

Founded in 1969, Batrus Hollweg International is a leading resource of assessment and development experts who partner with organizations to achieve growth and increase profitability through customized, cost-effective systems to select and develop the best talent, tap organizational energy and focus teams on business results. Batrus Hollweg has worked extensively with leading restaurant companies providing talent solutions from the hourly employee level to the executive suites. Some of the firm's clients include: Applebee's, Boston Market, The Cheesecake Factory, Dave & Buster's, Einstein's Noah Bagel Co., Morton's Steakhouse, Houston's, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, Krispy Kreme, Legal Seafoods, Darden's Restaurants, Donatos Pizzeria, Fazoli's, Longhorn Steaks, T.G.I. Friday's, Jason's Deli, Popeye's Chicken, Lone Star Steakhouse, Buca di Beppo, and Steak 'n Shake. Batrus Hollweg International is headquartered in Plano, Texas.

About Taleo Corporation

Taleo Corporation (formerly Recruitsoft, Inc.), is the leading provider of enterprise staffing management solutions that enable organizations to establish, automate and manage worldwide staffing processes for salaried, hourly and temporary staff. Taleo customers use the company's solutions to enhance the quality, productivity and satisfaction of their workforces. Taleo solutions incorporate resource allocation principles to more accurately match total labor demand and supply across complex organizations. Taleo customers include Starbucks Corporation, Best Buy, Blockbuster, The Limited, Dow Chemical, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, HP, UnitedHealth Group, Washington Mutual, among many others. Taleo's principal office is located in San Francisco, CA.