In today’s increasingly competitive job market, recruiting and retaining top talent has become a major challenge for HR professionals. Companies aggressively compete for the same pool of skilled workers, which starts a talent war. HR managers must adopt new strategies and improve old processes to attract and retain top talent. Here are some tips on how to manage the talent war in HR:
1. Represent Your Employer Brand
To attract top talent, you need to have a strong employer brand. It means defining your company’s core values, work culture, and mission. You need to clearly communicate them to potential candidates. However, make sure your job postings, website, and social media presence reflect your brand and what makes your company embodies. Leave no room for confusion since you only get “one chance” to attract top talent.
2. Use Data to Make Informed Decisions
We are in an era of technological developments where constant innovations empower human processes. Data can be a powerful tool in managing (or even winning) the talent war. Leverage the use of analytics to track your recruitment efforts, identify where your best candidates are coming from, and measure the effectiveness of your employer brand. It will help you make informed decisions about where to focus your resources and how to improve your recruiting efforts without second guessing.
3. Competitive Compensation and Benefits: An Edge to Win the Talent War
Undoubtedly, one of the most effective ways to attract and retain top talent is to offer competitive compensation and benefits packages. Skilled workers and trained professionals know that companies are after them, and as much as employers do, they also shortlist ideal employer brands and compare companies that can provide them with the most attractive package. Research what other companies in your industry (your competition) offer and make sure your compensation package is as equally competitive, if not more. However, winning the talent war doesn’t always mean money. You might want to consider offering perks such as flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities (such as training and career path), and wellness programs that make your company stand out.
4. Develop a Strong Employee Value Proposition
Your employee value proposition (EVP) is what sets your company apart from others in the talent war. It’s the unique combination of company benefits, work culture, and work environment that you offer your employees. Although you have to compete with other organizations in the industry, make sure to develop a strong EVP that aligns with your employer brand and use it to attract and retain top talent.
5. Build a Strong Talent Pipeline
To stay ahead of the competitors in the talent war, you need to build a robust talent pipeline, which means constantly recruiting and networking, even though you don’t have job openings. It may sound tiresome in the beginning but once it became a part of your organizational routine, the flow of activity will be seamless and natural. Additionally, you can use social media platforms, job boards, and networking events to build relationships and constant contact with potential candidates and stay on top of their minds when the need arises.
6. Embrace the Latest Technology
The latest technology was there for a reason. Technology can be a powerful tool in managing the talent war in HR. Leverage applicant tracking systems (ATS) to streamline your recruiting process and identify top candidates quickly. Use social networking sites and other digital channels to communicate your employer brand and engage with potential candidates.
Managing the talent war in HR requires a strategic approach and a willingness to adapt to changing market conditions. Moreover, by defining your employer brand, using data to make informed decisions, offering competitive compensation and benefits, developing a strong EVP, building a strong talent pipeline, and embracing technology, you can attract and retain top talent in today’s competitive job market.’
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How do you cope with the increasingly competitive trends in global talent management? We often hear managers and leaders say that the right talent for the job is scarce and that they go the extra mile to retain their talent pool to thrive or even survive.
Nowadays, talent management is one of the major concerns among companies, and the trend is increasingly becoming a global phenomenon. Why? Because they can. Employees get access to online recruiters, apps, and an endless list of job opportunities from job portals. Job opportunities became identical to online shopping, where they can compare openings and then choose their best pick.
Applicants have the power to shortlist companies and job openings more than ever before.
The era of global talent’s empowerment
Thanks to modern technology and a wide range of job opportunities, we have reached the era when employees can climb the corporate ladder dictating their own terms. If an employee experiences a slight discomfort or is disconnected from the company values, jumping from one ship to another has never been easier.
It’s employee’s turf now
During the early onset of the pandemic (2020), millions of people lost their jobs, hundreds of thousands of companies (globally) folded, and the world economies experienced a recession. As the situation started normalizing in the middle of 2021, the market opened for new job opportunities. Before the pandemic, the world economy surpassed numerous recessions, and each recession affected the job market differently.
On top of the recession, it became a global trend for employees to jump ships to find better opportunities. Every time an employee changes jobs, they demand higher rates. It benefits the job seekers but gives the organization headaches in retaining top talents. The job market is increasingly becoming the employee’s turf now. They come and go as they please.
Tenure still matters
Despite the job market being flooded with new employment opportunities, a considerably large number of employees still prefer tenure along with the perks and convenience that come with it. So they stay where they are. And why not? Taking risks of moving from one company to another does not guarantee lasting employment.
With the uncertainties of the volatile job market, quitting can be an irrational option any employee can take. Tenure is typical among the older demographic who prefers stability and certainty.
Although tenure reassures the employees that they will not lose their jobs, it is disadvantageous for the company in terms of performance complacency. If an employee stays in the same company for a prolonged period, they typically become overly comfortable and relaxed in performing their tasks because there is no risk of losing them. It can also prevent them from advancing their career. Though the company can cross-train their employees to upskill and reskill, the final decision stays with the employees if they want to explore further or stays with the same job scope.
Younger talents are ruling
Younger employees tend to move a lot. Full of fresh ideas, theories, and high ideals from college, they thought they could change the system overnight. As they jump from one job to another within a few months to a couple of years (maximum), the organizations are in constant search of new talents they can keep and develop.
Millennials take over the job market
Currently, millennials occupy 35% of the job market and are expected to occupy 75% of the workforce by 2030. Like the younger workforce, millennials display mobility, and their presence is undeniably strong.
With the degree of mobility of millennials and younger employees, talent management remains a challenge for most global organizations.
Freelancers are on the rise
In the last few years, a large number of displaced employees from the recession of 2008-2009, and the new graduates have taken refuge in online jobs. They call themselves freelancers, independent contractors, and self-employed, among other things. Society has witnessed a whole generation of entrepreneurs, coaches, and freelancers dominating the job market. Several freelancing portals sprouted from all over to bridge the geographical gap between companies of all sizes (from various sectors) with freelance workers.
This trend enables companies to reduce their cost and liabilities. Their contract with the freelancers is non-committal and frees them from paying benefits, vacation pay, health insurance, 401K, and other perks they provide their regular employees.
Some companies are experiencing employees quitting en masse due to discontent with their corporate value or management-related issues leading to the rising demand for freelance workers. In 2021, the rate of employees quitting their regular job is back to the pre-pandemic rate forcing companies to adopt a hybrid system to survive their operations. It gives freelancers a steady inflow of job orders.
However, this setup is not for all organizational types. There are processes and job specs that large companies and known brands cannot simply allow freelancers to perform. Likewise, the amount of freedom the freelancers get can easily discourage them from going back to regular employment. As a result, talent management becomes a constant struggle for many organizations.
Global staffing trends
Many (or most) large multinational corporations (MNCs) maintain their market integrity and competitive edge in the global arena by adopting the four approaches to global staffing, ethnocentric, polycentric, regiocentric, and geocentric.
Ethnocentric
The ethnocentric staffing approach means the company hires employees from their parent country to fill the crucial organizational positions in their global offices. The company can either relocate an existing employee to the host country or hire someone from the parent country who is willing to live in the host country.
This approach is ideal if the company is expanding or opening a branch in a new country so that the implementation of the company rules and policies becomes easier. As a rule, expatriates must not exceed 20% of the hiring cost of the host country.
Polycentric
A polycentric staffing approach means hiring people locally to fill the positions in the host country. Foreign companies need the skills and expertise of local professionals. They can help the company to expand their operation as locals know the market and they possess the necessary skills in conducting business.
Regiocentric
A regiocentric staffing approach means hiring and transferring people from the same region. For example in the Asia Pacific Region, a company can transfer employees from Australia to Singapore or India and vice versa at a much lower cost than employee transfer, say, from the US or other western countries.
Although this approach is more cost-effective and convenient than transferring employees from their parent country, some possible barriers have to be taken into account when adopting this approach, like language issues, cultural differences, and religious affiliations.
Geocentric
A geocentric staffing approach means hiring people regardless of nationality and geographical location. For example, a company can hire employees from remote places, and their jobs can be performed virtually (ideal for customer support). Another way of dealing with a geocentric approach is relocating employees to a new host country.
Global operations have many advantages and disadvantages, but in order to build and sustain a talented workforce, companies must use talent management. The core objectives of a successful global talent management strategy are to recruit, develop, deploy, and retain the right talents.
Incorporating Global Talent Management into Business
Talent management should be aligned with the company’s strategy. Managers and leaders should be well aware of their talent requirements. They must be in alignment with the organizational strategy and maintain strategic flexibility when necessary. Companies should have the ability to adapt to the ever-changing business condition and have the capacity to restructure their approach to handling talents.
Internal consistency. Consistency is a crucial factor in building a strong pool of talents in the organization. It underscores every practice, communication, and decision in the company to make the business successful.
Cultural integration. The organizational mission and vision are there for a reason. Although, logically, companies will not violate any law if they do not live up to their written core values. However, it’s a great help to the talent management process if the company integrates its core values into various processes such as hiring, leadership development activities, performance management systems, and compensation and benefits programs. Once cultural integration is in place, recruitment, retention, and talent development becomes natural and seamless.
Active involvement of line managers. The talent management process of successful companies includes not only HR but all the managers from all departments. Human Resources alone cannot put a spell on talent management. Leaders starting from CEO to junior leaders must pitch in some ideas. One of the potent strategies in the talent management process is to get the line managers involved. They will participate in the decision-making and hiring process, and get accountability for training new talents.
Balance the global and local requirements. Companies with an international presence must master the art of reaching out to local internal clients by maintaining sensitivities on cultural differences, the local corporate environment, and business practices (country-wise). A coherent HR and management strategy to reach out to locals can resolve (or prevent) any intercultural tensions.
Maintain a unique (employer) brand. A brand does not only work for consumers but employees too. Attracting the right skills and attitudes goes hand in hand with the unique organizational brand. For example, employers must develop a way (different from competitors) to resolve internal conflicts or a distinct set of perks and career paths. Uniqueness makes your brand stand out.
Difficulties in maintaining high-quality talents?
The quick answer is YES.
Every sector has different talent needs. Before the pandemic, the employment sector had already been struggling to find the right talents, and the ripple effect of COVID-19 even made it harder. Yes, we are still not over the pandemic, and people still worry about childcare, health concerns, and more.
The job market is running short of “right talents.” You did not misread it. There is a huge talent gap in the industry. For example, not enough medical professionals to fill the position in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The industry doesn’t have enough web developers, computer engineers, AI analysts, and programmers to cope with technological advancements. Applicants claim to know the job but lack the necessary skills and knowledge to perform them. With the suspension of traditional learning and hands-on skills training, the talent gap is widening day by day.
Low-budget job openings are at an all-time high. Due to slow turnover, some employers cannot afford to offer a decent rate to some physically demanding and mentally exhausting positions. Others view this phenomenon as “taking advantage” of the recession. People need employment and are willing to accept offers even if it is a decimation from their previous package to survive.
Millennials and Generation Z are leveraging the popularity of short online courses and video tutorials to upskill and reskill themselves. They jump ships as often as they wish. As we mentioned above, it’s the era of employee empowerment. To some degree, they can beat college degree holders and professionals in landing high-paying jobs
The truth is, it’s a tough time for both employers and employees. People are barely surviving with gigs and short stints with companies that are not offering regular positions. The uncertainties of “what ifs?” and “what’s next?” lingers in everyone’s minds.
It doesn’t matter if you are a freelancer, salaried employee, consultant, self-employed, or wage earner because uncertainties still await. There is no escaping it. Companies are opening their doors for fresh (or returning) talents to join the workforce. Businesses take risks too.
Global talent management is in peril!
Wait, what?
There are solutions.
It is job seekers’ turf now, but employers can still save the day, not by aggressive hiring initiatives but by addressing the internal conflict that causes a high attrition rate.
Some attritions are nearly impossible to avoid. That’s why companies must strategize on retaining their best talent as much as possible.
It all boils down to salary and other perks. An organization that can pay good money has the power to retain the best talents in the market, harsh truth.
If your company is not in the position to pay top dollar, your solution is to build a perfect environment and work culture that your employees will not want to leave you. Maybe it’s about time you take HR more seriously for their efforts
Let us help you with your plight in finding the right talent. Start a successful talent management today. Let’s work together!
Why people should take HR more seriously? Seriously though, has it ever crossed your mind?
Human Resource professionals have always been disconnected from the rest of the organization for many different reasons. Some employees view HR professionals as enemies or spies waiting for an opportunity to reprimand them even for the most trivial and negligible mistake they randomly make.
You have got to admit it. At one point, you must have disliked HR too, thinking they were hired as dummies of the executives. And that their decision-making abilities are linked to their personal and professional relationships with their bosses and a mere extension of the company’s legal department. And that most employees don’t trust them.
These opinions are quite reasonable in many organizations. If the company is not going through any turbulent situation, the HR functions generally reside in hiring, training, and firing employees. However, when the company is experiencing labor issues and high attrition rates, it is an entirely different issue altogether.
So, why do we have to take HR more seriously again?
9 HR Imperatives to take seriously
In a research published by McKinsey, they defined the nine critical functions that HR professionals can fill in to prepare their organizations for the future. They called it the nine imperatives. It consists of decision-making, learning, structure, platform, talent, and ecosystem that encompasses the core value, purpose, and company culture.
Why People should Take HR more Seriously?Photo by Pexels
By concentrating on the nine imperatives, the HR functions shy away from petty sentiments of the daily operations and focus on a more relevant issue, the future of the business.
During the onset of the covid-19 pandemic, millions of people worldwide lost their employment, and tens of thousands of companies folded. There was a shortage of job opportunities, and more than half of the workforce took refuge in online jobs, consultancies, and freelancing opportunities.
However, the world goes on. With the series of unfortunate natural calamities and the man-made crisis unfolding one after another, organizations must not cease to move toward the realization of company objectives. In these times of tribulations, HR holds the key to corporate success.
People should recognize HR leaders and managers for doing the balancing act in the workplace.
From recruitment, onboarding, training, appraisal, promotion, and transfers, HR is our man (or woman). On top of the routine tasks are strategic planning, job market evaluation, burnout prevention, and dealing with cultural diversity. SHRM enumerated twelve pressing issues in the workplace that HR professionals constantly face, thus requiring aggressive collaboration and strategic thinking.
HR Organizational Roles
Maneuver a Competitive Job Market
Present Accurate Evaluations for HR
Handle the Threat of Recession
Recognize the Importance of Cultural Diversity
Respond Appropriately to New Policies
Manage Employee Retention
Engage Multi-Generational Talent
Prevent Burnout
Create a Sense of Belongingness
Close the People Impact Gap
Emphasize Leadership Development
Strategize for Competent and Productive Collaboration
You might want to take HR more seriously, as they keep burning their brows in every step of the employment process and beyond.
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