Reflections
Talent Development
By Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi
Paul Kasimu , Chief Human Resources officer at Safaricom preaches daily that … Talent is the most important resource in any organization . This is a fact . Organizations can only achieve sustained success with exceptional leadership in place . 75 % of C-suite leaders identify retaining and developing talent as a significant area of investment for their businesses ( BCG analysis ). As markets , technologies , expectations rapidly evolve , having the right talent and skills is critical in building a competitive advantage in driving growth and success .
What is talent development ?
Talent development focuses on evolving employee ’ s skills and proficiency by generating inclusive individual learning and development plans . It is individual based . Each person has a plan to expand their skills and achieve their ambitions . Talent development is critical for the future sustainability of any business .
Why is talent development important ? In an article by Dierdre Orr Consulting titled , develop them or lose them , key reasons highlighted there-in for talent development are : to increase employee retention ; to boost employee and business performance ; and to improve succession planning
Great talent must be given the room to thrive . As Steve Jobs put it , “ It doesn ’ t make sense to hire smart people and tell then what to do ; we hire smart people , so they tell us what to do .”
What does Talent development entail ?
We will review three organizations hereunder to get an appreciation in a practical manner , what talent development really entails .
Unilever |
Future |
Leaders |
Program |
( UFLP ) |
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Unilever Plc is a British multinational fast moving consumer goods company . Unilever ’ s largest brands include Dove , Axe , Knorr , Lux , Sun silk , etc . Unilever is committed to developing leaders . They believe that by bringing your purpose to life in the work you do , together with the business , there is an opportunity to lead a sustainable future . The program promises to empower for positive impact , provide opportunities for networking with diverse but likeminded people , be a force for good , develop into your best self .
UFLP typically lasts over three years and covers the following : 2-4 years of accelerated development ; Functional critical experiences in your specialization function / nontraditional learning experiences ; Multiple rotations in and across functions ; A personalized development journey ; A dedicated senior career sponsor to help guide you as you craft your career ; International exposure .
As a result , Unilever has a great history in attracting and developing great talent across the globe .
Cisco |
Leadership |
Development |
Program |
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This program covers a range of leadership levels from entry level to senior leaders . It has four pillars according to an article on Zavvy . io by Deel :
We have to be vulnerable to know our strengths and areas of development . We must lead from strength even as we work on the areas of development with the firm belief that we can all create great impact in our work , in our communities and most importantly in our homes . Leadership development requires intent .
The Global Leader Program and Global Technical Leader program : this program inspires leaders to act on a global scale , leverages local competencies and cultures and aligns organizational goals with global priorities .
Business Leader Program : this includes an interactive business simulation which allow participants to apply business concepts practically and engagingly .
The New Manager Assimilation Program : supports news managers .
20 MAL59 / 24 ISSUE