Investing in Talent and People is the Top Priority for C-Suite Leaders

As was the case at the beginning of the pandemic, companies that keep their people, continue to train and coach them will be ahead of the curve again with their experienced and loyal talent.

I couldn't agree more with the sentiment that the mass media coverage of tech firms focusing on organization right-sizing only tells part of the story. It's essential to recognize that many tech companies are indeed prioritizing investment in #talent and people. In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, Technology, Media, and Telecom (#TMT) leaders are placing talent and people development at the forefront, with cost being also a priority. The combination of talent and financial engineering demonstrates a strategic approach to long-term growth and competitiveness. The ship mustvstay afloat. The new research by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) provides valuable insights into how #resilience leaders are utilizing resources from cost-cutting measures to build a competitive advantage. By investing in talent and #innovation, these leaders are fortifying their organizations against future disruptions and ensuring a robust and sustainable growth trajectory. As leadership trainers, it is our responsibility to help organizations understand the importance of nurturing talent and fostering a culture of innovation. By doing so, we empower them to achieve their full potential and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing world.

More fascinating research Nicolas BEHBAHANI. This research outlines the need to balance cost (due to market uncertainties) and continuous development (for staff). I wonder if Microsoft balanced their restructuring (loss of staff) with the ability to utilise skills that, to them, might not have been readily visible. When looking at 'right-sizing' it is necessary for employers to look at the skills available to them across the organisation to see where cost of recruitment, to specific positions, might be offset against the ability to move such staff that might otherwise be lost. Would it also be possible for those staff to train others (reskilling) again, saving on the cost of recruitment? Would such moves also 'transmit' the 'right' message to those who might otherwise have left (when feeling vulnerable due to a redundancy process) and who the employer might wish to keep? These are interesting times and I have no doubt that we will see many companies 'right-sizing' - mainly due to the current financial crisis but I wonder how many will actually get it right.

Nicolas BEHBAHANI Boston Consulting Group (BCG) continues to do fascinating research. The premise behind this research is that "organization capabilities" (what the organization is known for and good at doing) deliver value to all stakeholders (an outside/in logic). In our work on organization capabilities, we have identified 12 that organizations may be likely to pursue. In the Organization Guidance System (OGS), we have shown how investments in these capabilities deliver value to five stakeholders (see www.rbl.ai to do free assessment). See overall results in chart. We have found that each organization can focus on the outcome they want to pursue,then identify and create capabilities to deliver that outcome, which is what we call guidance ... https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/how-well-do-you-manage-your-portfolio-hr-initiatives-dave-ulrich/ This research highlights talent, innovation, and cost as critical capabilities which is fascinating. Norm Smallwood

Thanks for your article, Nicolas BEHBAHANI. It is interesting to see that companies want to invest in their talent. I often see that companies know who their talent is, but unfortunately they are not as sure about the future competencies they need of their talents. Companies should be clear about the exact competencies they need, so the development can be more precise and targeted. Nevertheless, I hope that the focus will remain on talent, because in the past, development programs etc. were the first to be cut in uncertain times filled with cost-savings-programs. It seems to be different this time.