This article is written by Ana Adams, a Principal Consultant at TQSolutions and a thought leader in the fields of Talent & People Strategy, Recruitment, and Careers.
The role of Human Resources (HR) within organisations is experiencing a profound transformation. It even extends to shifting its identity to more encompassing terms like People and Culture, People Operations, or Employee Experience, reflecting the change in how companies view and value their most vital asset - their workforce.
As the modern-day commercial environment becomes increasingly dynamic, HR departments play a crucial role in shaping an agile and effective workforce. However, this opportunity is not without its fair share of challenges.
Sourcing talent from within: difficulties and misconceptions
One of the foremost challenges organisations face today is sourcing and nurturing good talent from within their internal ranks.
The conventional approach to talent acquisition often leans toward external hires, fuelled by the belief that fresh perspectives are essential for growth.
However, not only is this approach thwarted by the risk of a bad hire, it can inadvertently sideline the immense potential existing within the organisation's current workforce. Sure, while external hires might inject new energy and ideas, overlooking the development and progression of existing employees can lead to potential disengagement and a stagnant corporate culture.
It follows that finding a balance between external recruitment and internal promotion is necessary, however, it also presents another challenge for the HR function.
What is HR's Central Role Moving Forward?
I believe that, in today’s evolving landscape, the responsibilities of HR professionals will become increasingly diverse and decentralised. Hiring managers, while having a vested interest in retaining top talent, often need guidance to ensure that their teams are not just productive but also adaptive to change.
In this way, HR's modern role extends more into a consultative function, bridging the gap between the leadership's vision and the practical steps needed to bring that vision to life. It’s also incumbent upon individual employees to engage with HR and present their skills and worth - assuming there is a workplace culture that allows this to happen.
But how?
It feels like there’s a bit of an expansive bridge to cross to make this all work in practice, especially given the expanding scope and complexities of the role of HR functions over time. Successful HR functions today need to operate at a strategic level and impact careers and overall talent strategy at scale.
It's no longer feasible for HR to be 'hands on' in the management of each individual employee's career, this in turn is driving an increased demand for HR digital technology.
Cutting-edge technologies can be leveraged to bring about a more decentralised approach to the HR function and further assist with HR’s talent development responsibility.
However, while HR technology undeniably opens new doors, it's important to acknowledge that it's not a replacement for the human touch – and never will be.
The crux lies in striking the right balance between technology enablement and personalised career guidance. HR professionals play a pivotal role in creating those essential "career moments that matter."
These moments go beyond skill development; they encompass mentorship, guidance during crucial decisions, and providing a supportive environment for internal growth.
And embracing tech is one way to give every employee the chance to experience this, at scale.Today’s HR professionals need to rise to this challenge and embrace the natural progression of their overarching roles in business.
Why? Because it’s truly an exciting time for the industry!
This evolution of the HR function means demonstrating a powerful leadership role in the future of workforce development and management.Of course, as I mentioned, this incorporates the balance of a humanistic focus and the adoption of the right HR Technology.
Unleashing the Power of HR Tech to Support Tomorrow’s HR Function
To harness the true potential of HR technology, a robust internal talent marketplace must be created.Rather than confining talent development to the HR department, organisations can leverage smart technology to democratise the process.
Imagine a comprehensive internal talent marketplace where employees can explore lateral moves, upskilling opportunities, and career paths that align with their aspirations.
This not only empowers employees but also facilitates the alignment of their goals with the organisation's strategic objectives.
At TQSolutions, our expert support can refine your HR strategies surrounding talent attraction and development.
By integrating sophisticated analytics tools, we enable organisations to identify high-potential employees and customise development plans tailored to individual strengths and growth areas.
The result?
A workforce that's not just equipped with the right skills but is also deeply invested in the organisation's success.
(This article is written by Ana Adams, a Principal Consultant at TQSolutions and a thought leader in the fields of Talent & People Strategy, Recruitment, and Careers.)
A final word from GoFIGR....
Empowering the Future with HR Tech
HR technology stands as a powerful enabler.
However, it’s important to view HR technology as a means to an end, not an end in itself. The future of HR lies in combining the efficiency of technology with the empathy of human interaction.
Organisations that recognise this synergy will be better equipped to not only survive but thrive in an era of continuous transformation.
If you are interested in taking an even closer look at the pivotal role HR technology is likely to play in shaping the HR landscape, from AI-powered recruitment tools to predictive analytics, stay tuned for our final instalment in this article series: Embracing the Future: Enablers in HR Tech and Talent Strategy by Alastair Schirmer.Until then, perhaps you need assistance adopting and implementing this innovative approach to building talent from within.
GoFIGR’s Internal Talent Marketplace can help your business thrive
GoFIGR is a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform designed to collect and intuitively analyse employee skill and business requirement insights so you can supercharge your talent retention and organisational development process.
With valuable insights collected from your team, GoFIGR allows you to:
- identify your employees’ current skillsets
- align them with your business expansion plans
- realise your team’s full potential
- reduce the cost of recruitment by upskilling from within
Most importantly, GoFIGR empowers you to nurture the skills and talent that your organisation needs to move forward.
Your future team is already working for you.
Don’t let that talent go to waste – give them the opportunity to grow their career AND drive your business into its tomorrow.
It’s the ultimate way to retain staff, foster a progressive internal culture and minimise the costs of repetitive recruitment.
Contact GoFIGR today to discover how we can help you foster a future-focused workforce using our internal talent marketplace.
Ana is a Principal Consultant at TQ Solutions and a thought leader in the fields of Talent & People Strategy, Recruitment, and Careers.
