Press Release - February 27, 2006

Granite Solutions Groupe to Guarantee Retained Searches

Guaranteed Retained Search Services (GRSS) offering provides fee alternatives to traditional search firms amid global competition for talent.

San Francisco, CA, February 27, 2006 -- Granite Solutions Groupe, Inc. (Granite), a San Francisco based recruiting firm, announced today a new feature to its retained search service offering for global employers: Guaranteed Retained Search Services (GRSS).

Going forward, Granite's clients will pay reduced fees of only 25% of the candidate's total first year compensation, no administrative expenses and a graduated payment structure payable in thirds -- upon engagement, initial candidate presentation and candidate offer. Here's where Granite's offering differs from competitors: At each stage of the recruiting process, the hiring manager or committee can decide to end the search with a full refund of the current stage recruiting fees.

Traditional retained search firms charge one third of total first year's compensation and all fees must be paid up front and are non-refundable. Hiring managers and senior management are looking for more flexibility in their relationships with recruiting firms and human resource departments are looking for ways to control agency costs. GRSS gives employers a well-timed alternative that will be attractive to HR as an alternative to traditional retained search options, when contingency searches aren't producing the right candidates.

As many of the large, global financial and IT powerhouses begin to see the effects of scarce knowledgeable and experienced resources for their key management positions, progressive companies are looking for alternatives to the old two-party system — Retained or Contingent. By introducing GRSS, Granite stands to turn the industry on its head by giving clients the best of both worlds — exclusive, dedicated focus, while at the same time providing flexibility and reduced recruiting fees.

Granite specializes in the placement of highly skilled senior-level Project Managers, Business Analysts and IT Managers at global firms throughout the financial services and IT Market. It's reputation for quality, integrity, industry knowledge and global contacts have been sited as the main reasons clients come to them for retained search services. In addition to Granite's ability to attract the best talent in the industry through their extensive network and industry contacts, their business model has allowed them to offer products like GRSS at a lower price-point than the competition without sacrificing quality.

"We're very excited about the positive feedback we've received from clients about this new offering," explained John Henning, Granite's San Francisco-based Director of Business Development. "Finding innovative ways to work with clients that produce results while offering flexibility for hiring managers is crucial in a business environment that demands value from its suppliers. Guaranteed Retained Search Services are just a logical extension of the kind of value-based solutions Granite Solutions Groupe has offered its clients for the past decade."

About Granite Solutions Groupe

Granite Solutions Groupe, Inc. (Granite) is a San Francisco based recruiting firm that specializes in the placement of highly skilled senior-level Project Managers, Business Analysts and IT Managers at global firms throughout the financial services and IT Market. Contact them online at www.granitesolutionsgroupe.com.