The global financial crisis and resulting recession has given companies an impetus to strengthen their existing leadership as well as to devise new talent management strategies to invest in their human capital in preparation for economic recovery.
The recent International Human Resources (“HR”) Barometer survey, polling over 550 senior HR management professionals across 17 countries, conducted by The Scala Group, The ACE Network and supported by international law firm Salans, showed that HR is increasingly taking a proactive role in the areas of leadership, talent management and succession planning.
64% of UK respondents say their organisation is strengthening leadership capability while 79% think they should do more of this to help them in the economic recovery. This is also by far the most cited priority for business leaders themselves. Interestingly, only 17% of respondents rated formal leadership development programmes as a focus.
The main focus, rather, is on talent management approaches, with over 70% of UK respondents seeking to do more; coaching of line managers, training and upskilling, communication and dealing with under-performers. It is this, believes Janice Caplan, Founding Partner of The Scala Group, which will give rise to new approaches in managing talent.
“A first step in strengthening leadership is, to emphasise their critical role in creating shared vision, values and understanding for the organisation. The second step is to provide strategic leadership through their management style with their direct reports rather than withdrawing to an ivory tower. This will emphasise the issues of communication, coaching and training highlighted by the survey.
Barry Mordsley, Global Co-Head of the Employment Group at Salans, adds, “It is in the difficult times, such as economic downturn and recession, where the strength of leadership really makes a telling difference. Whether it be employee relations, performance management or cost reduction directives, without strong leadership behind such developments, companies will struggle. We are providing an increasing amount of training in this area, and it is pleasing to see the survey supporting this trend as well as point to what may be a very promising area regarding the development of new talent management strategies.”
The Scala Group is a leading international HR consultancy that specialises in helping organisations align their talent development strategy with business strategy. It is part of ACE, a network of European HR consultancies.
As part of 750 lawyers globally operating across 21 offices, Salans’ Global Employment Group provides advice and training to a range of clients from small enterprises to multinational groups and their subsidiaries in all aspects of employment law including: restructuring and redundancy, litigation, employee benefits, employment compliance audits, employment practices, disciplinary and grievance procedures and issues, discrimination, employee competition and confidentiality policies, expatriate immigration and visas.
Information about the International HR Barometer Survey
The International HR Barometer Survey attracted 559 responses from senior HR management professionals across 17 countries, and was organised and conducted by The Scala Group and The ACE Network, and supported by the London Employment Group at international law firm Salans. The aim of the survey was to assess the effects of the global economic recession on employers, and the strategies used by them to prepare for the economic recovery. Full copies of the Report are available by contacting Kimberley Turner at Salans on +44 207 429 6218 or Janice Caplan of The Scala Group on 07930 524457.
Contacts
Barry Mordsley
Parner - London
E: bmordsley@salans.com
T: +44 20 7429 6000
Janice Caplan
Founding Partner - The SCALA Group
E: janice@thescalagroup.co.uk
T: +44 7930 5244457