Find the 'Golden Needles' In the Resume Haystack by Andy Chan Golden Needles make a measurable difference. McKinsey & Co. conducted a study called "The War For Talent," that quantified the impact of "A" players. It determined that top-performing employees delivered a 52% increase in revenues in financial services companies, a 29% profit increase in manufacturing companies, and an 82% profit increase in industrial companies. It's clearly worth the time, effort and expense to find, attract, hire and retain the "A" player.