Talent market and best executive search

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