I hear a lot of people talking about their Talent strategy in a way that makes me think that they might be missing the big picture.
A good example is the current focus on Performance Management solutions. Conversations often go something like this
HR group:
Our talent strategy is to have 100% participation in the performance process, where every person in our organization has a recorded performance rating.
Me: Why?
HR Group:
So we can make sure we have a common measurement of our resources
Me: Why?
HR Group:
So we can benefit from the Pay for Performance best practice. [Alternate: So that we can make sure we are “right sizing” the correct people]
Me: Groan
While it’s hard to know where to begin in deconstructing this discussion in a single blog post, let me start with the idea that I think we are again, confusing strategy with tactics.
A Talent strategy is one that shows how you can to achieve critical business resultswith people [your most important resource]. Technology might be important, but for it to be effective, you must first make sure you know how to define success.
Of course, I’m a huge fan of Performance management systems/plans/initiatives. I think having a solid system to measure people is a good thing. I also believe that the communication of achievement, competency, etc. is important for both managers, employees and human resources. I just get frustrated when I realize that people often forget that, at the end of the day, it is also a lot of paperwork.
The value is real, but so is the cost and in any event, this can only ever be a stepping stone for an effective Talent strategy. You need this measurement to help you understand your workforce, to ultimately be able to better utilize them.
Without appropriate line of sight between the required effort and the desired outcome of the activity you will end up with a lot of frustrated people in the middle and no real results for the business. Your strategy needs to connect the dots between the activity and the business results. What does the business get from your [insert current talent focus here] initiative?
Do you know? Do they care?
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