TerraConnecta Blog

Future Talent Gap – Fact or Fiction ?

Corporations of all sizes have an exciting challenge ahead of them in the current global employment arena. This market has evolved at a very high speed over the past years and given the apparent continued growth prospects in new emerging markets, it is clear that corporations need to rethink how to best identify, develop and retain future leadership staff. Many international demographic reports confirm the inevitable talent shortages in the future global employment market. Nonetheless should we be so hasty in presenting this dark picture ? Is this not the perfect time to look at Talent differently ? 

The “War for Talent” report launched by McKinsey in the late 90’s was well received on the global marketplace, as it provoked a whole new thought process for leading corporations when attracting, recruiting and retaining the best employees. The reality that most companies were not effective in retaining high performers was hard to take on board. Nonetheless, many companies proactively modified their global recruitment policy, and introduced new communication tactics focused on a more targeted audience. Despite the positive results over the past years, it has to be said that most global recruitment policies are driven from an occidental viewpoint, which definitely needs to be challenged for this new developing economy.

We all talk a lot about “Talent” and it is definitely one of the most widely used and perhaps abused words. However, what does it really mean ? Does it mean the brightest people, hence only focusing on academic achievements from the best tertiary institutions ? Does it address specialists (example : engineering and/or high tech) ? Does it mean multi-lingual marketers ? Does it mean Anglo-Saxon educated Asians ? The list is long….

“Talent” has a diverse range of somewhat rigid definitions. Traditionally, corporations tend to focus on academic background, sector & function knowledge, language skills and, last but not least, the personality. Potentially interesting candidates who don’t fit into the “definition” don’t get a look in even when they are standing right in front of them !

Professor Linda A. Hull (HBR) addresses some very interesting points in her recent interview concerning her new article titled “Where will we find tomorrow’s leaders”. If you have the time, it is worth a listen.

                                                                                                          Anne Marie

Tags: Employer Branding, High Potential recruitment, International careers, leadership, Talent Acquisition, Terra connecta