Driving Organizational Change in 2021: Tips for Talent Managers

COVID-19 has demanded a lot from Talent Leaders. From rapid work-from-home transitions to changes in policies and business requirements, they have stretched themselves at multiple ends. What priorities will they have in the future – TMI discusses this and more.

Saying Talent Leaders are busy would be an understatement. They are driving their organizations’ success and resilience and have upheld the morale and productivity of employees.

And they will continue to do so in the days to come.

But their role is changing, and their responsibilities include many new important touchpoints. Massive business overhauls are driving this change.

Organizational overhauls are one of the most challenging events for talent leaders and we see a flood of them emerging on the horizon.

In the Capital Confidence Barometer survey by EY, to the question of How would the coronavirus event affect your decision on your managing your workforce, 39 percent of respondents said they are taking steps to change and 25 percent said they are reevaluating their workforce strategies.

How COVID-19 Is Redefining Talent Management Priorities

This is no ordinary downturn. Businesses are fundamentally changing in the way they operate. Most companies are trying to regain their balance in shifting consumer behavior, routes to market, and supply chains.

The growing popularity of gig and remote work has nudged temporary hiring. More companies are leaning toward lean talent strategies. Both cost and business uncertainties factors are on the driving seat now.

In the post-COVID environment, the most pressing challenge for Talent Management Leaders will be to craft a strategy that makes:

• The best talent stay
• The bright grow
• The bad leave

McKinsey, in its latest article, identified five key talent management trends that will be accelerated in the post-COVID world:

• Finding and hiring the right people
• Learning and growing
• Managing and rewarding performance
• Tailoring the employee experience, and
• Optimizing workforce planning and strategy

So how do Talent Leaders craft a strategy that gives them the utmost resilience for future scenarios?

7 Steps to Channelize Overhauls

Following these seven steps can prevent any unpleasant surprises:

#1 Identify essential skills for the future

Understand the core strength and the aspirations of the evolving business entity and align talent plans accordingly. Identify talent with right skills and develop those specific skills.

#2 Identify essential and potential talent

Identify who holds the key skills without getting distracted by the position and connections. Divide your talent into three categories:

• With skills
• With the potential to develop those skills, and
• Without skills

For example, if your company’s course is R&D, identify which talent has strong R&D skills and which has the potential to develop those skills.

#3 Outline the training requirement

Rapid change also translates into rapid training on most occasions. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In contrast to the common belief that mentors from big external organizations are needed, certified and skilled internal professionals can greatly improve your talent’s capabilities.

#4 Design a career path for key talent

It’s important to not lose key skills of key personnel while conducting promotions.

#5 Rethink compensation and benefits

Compensation is a big motivator when performance and not seniority is the criteria. Talent managers can also use monetary and non-monetary rewards for motivation.

#6 Rethink technology

36% of organizations have invested more in automation. – EY

#7 Communicate aggressively

Communication will play a key role in keeping employees motivated and productive. Look for different ways in which you can engage your diverse workforce.

Organizational overhauls will be a given in the post-pandemic world. The new normal for workplace will never be normal again.

Are you ready for it?

Follow this space for more updates.