This Week's Herman Trend Alert The Consequences of Virtual Meetings

The Herman Trend Alert July 23, 2008 Fail to Plan and You Plan to Fail According to a recent study of 2,500 senior human resources executives, conducted by the Novations Group, a global consulting firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, fewer than half of the companies that have succession plans update those plans on a regular basis. At the same time, 22 percent of respondents which have succession plans in place, state their organizations often recruits from outside for senior level openings .while ignoring their own preparatory work. Fortunately, succession planning is increasing in importance. Too many companies are in a continuous cycle of recruiting and attrition. Turnover is expensive, not only in terms of dollars, but also in terms of engagement and productivity as well. In the words of Executive Consultant Michelle Knox, organizations need to move beyond "succession planning" to "succession management". “Companies think because they have a plan they’re all set, but the challenge is broader and needs to fit into a process that supports ongoing talent development, not only the need to quickly fill an empty slot." Knox believes organizations that do succession management well, have the entire process owned by the executive team which is then executed by Human Resources. Succession management should also be aligned with corporate strategy and all human capital systems. Instead of slotting a single individual to fill a particular position, wise employers will create talent pools where participants are given access to the tools and resources needed for their own continuing development, Another best practice suggested by Novations is to have individuals nominate themselves. Their individual development needs are then evaluated, a development plan created, and the employees both give and get feedback on progress made. Senior leaders also check the individual's progress throughout the year. Without qualified, experienced people, we have seen entrepreneurs sell their businesses prematurely or simply go out of business. Expect this increased attention to succession management to escalate, as companies realize just how seriously the skilled labor shortages can affect them. Because of these skilled labor shortages, we will see smaller and smaller organizations engage in similar behavior, realizing that succession planning without succession management is virtually a waste of time . © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: RETENTION SPECIALIST PROGRAM A growing number of people have expressed an interest in attending our Employee Retention Specialist Certificate Program. We'd like to schedule on that's convenient for those who want to attend, but need your feedback to do so. Please place RETENTION SPECIALIST in the subject line and Joyce will personally call you back to schedule the workshop. Or you can call Joyce directly at 336-210-3548 (PDT this and next week). BUSINESS IS PICKING UP Most employers are unprepared. The recovery will bring a new set of challenges for employers that have been in prolonged contracted mode. They will need more skilled workers or will need now to begin to upskill their current staffs. But organizations can not engage in Strategic Workforce Planning, when they don't know how. That's where The Herman Group can help. We can help you with your "People Review"----large or small---so that you will know who you will need and when you will need them. . . and we can also guide you to the best sources for the people you will need. For more information, call Joyce at 336-210-3548 or e-mail joyce@hermangroup.com. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR EMPLOYEES REALLY THINK AND FEEL Discover what’s really going on in the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-416-7066, or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. 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