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GETTING TALENTED PEOPLE TO WORK FOR YOU
Here, at last, is a book
that truly addresses the talent issue. As search consultants / headhunters
we have been identifying the talent issue for years and each year the problem
of attracting and retaining talent becomes more acute. The quality of human
capital within organisations is undoubtedly more critical than ever.
Johnson provide fascinating
anecdotal evidence along with practical advice. The book's subject matter
is supported by extensive research. His work has taken him into the boardrooms
of the most successful organisations and this book provides a unique insight
into how they have gone about attracting talent and some of their mistakes.
The crux of his argument
is that human capital is the most critical resource of any organisation. The
demand for talent currently outstrips supply and the gap between the two is
widening. Attracting and retaining talent it the single most important issue
facing organisations today. If you do it right, or at least do it better than
your competitors, you have the opportunity to conquer the world.
Johnson focuses on the
organisation rather than the individual. Talent Magnet covers issues such
as diversity programmes, work-life balance, the recruitment process, training
and development, corporate perception and reputation. If we are under any
illusion that terms such as work-life balance are pie-in-the-sky jargon, this
book brings us crashing down to earth with the information that in the Netherlands
it is now legal for an employee to request to work only four days a week (for
one day's less salary) and this must be honoured and the job guaranteed by
the employer. If we (organisations) want to be seen as a talent magnet we
are going to have to build the ability to be naturally flexible in our operational
culture. Rules mean that you can be flexible with everyone, but still be fair.
What is clear is that
attracting and retaining talent is not the responsibility of the CEO or the
HR director, it is down to everyone within the organisation. In an ideal world
everyone in your organisation, or at least every manager, should read this
book. In the real world where pigs don't fly, it should be your mission to
read it on their behalf, spread the word and fast. If you don't, just remember,
your competitors might.
* Talent Magnet: Getting
Talented People To Work For You
By Mike Johnson. Pearson Education
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