6 Talent Strategy Levers for a VUCA World

© Development Dimensions International, Inc., MMXIV. All rights reserved. 1

6 TALENT STRATEGY LEVERS FOR

A VUCA WORLD


As a leader in talent management, you’ve noticed

there’s been volatility and change in your world.

This world of turmoil actually has a name:

Volatility, Uncertainty,

Complexity, and Ambiguity.


To survive in this NEW NORMAL,

organizations must do things differently

when it comes to their people.

Our goal is to offer a PATH FORWARD

and get you thinking about what you

need to do, and where you should start.


We see VUCA READINESS as a matter

of manipulating six talent strategy levers:

1.Business agility 2.Strategic workforce planning 3.The pursuit of readiness 4.Gathering and using data 5.The learning organization 6.Talent management sustainability

#1

5

Business Agility

© Development Dimensions International, Inc., MMXIV. All rights reserved.


#1

6

Organizations—and their talent—need to

be agile with the ability to swiftly change

direction. A good place to start is by linking

everything you do from a talent standpoint

back to the business and what it needs to

accomplish.

Business Agility

#2

7

Strategic Workforce Planning



Determine what talent your organization

has, what it needs, and where talent gaps

exist—including pending retirements. Cover

all organizational levels and all key roles,

taking into account your ability to fill those

roles internally versus externally.

#2 Strategic Workforce Planning

#3

9

The Pursuit of Readiness



To get leaders ready to step into

critical business roles, you must:

• Obtain senior executive involvement

• Conduct a talent audit

• Complete an accurate talent assessment

• Launch development planning

• Drive accelerated development that

targets future roles

#3 The Pursuit of Readiness

#4

11

Gathering and Using Data



Your organization needs to have an

insatiable appetite for talent-relevant data:

• How effective is your training?

• What are your talent gaps?

• How efficient are your hiring processes?

Measurement allows you to move faster and

make adjustments on the fly as things change

and evolve.

#4 Gathering and Using Data

#5

13

The Learning Organization



Develop more agile leaders who have the

ability to manage whatever comes their

way. Look for leadership courses on:

• Leading change

• Driving innovation

• Making rapid decisions

• Networking across boundaries

#5 The Learning Organization


It’s also about learning and growing

as an organization, whether it means

abandoning an ineffective selection

practice, addressing a talent gap, or

reformulating your talent strategy when

it becomes apparent that it’s misaligned

with the direction of the business.

#5 The Learning Organization

#6

16

Talent Management Sustainability



For an initiative to be sustainable, it needs to:

• Be built on a strong business case

• Have clear accountabilities

• Have talent with the skills to be successful

• Be aligned with your business strategy

• Be measurable

• Be flexible and adaptable

#6 Talent Management Sustainability

17


LET’S RECAP!

18


• Business agility

• Strategic workforce planning

• The pursuit of readiness

• Gathering and using data

• The learning organization

• Talent management sustainability

Manipulate these six levers effectively

and your organization will be ready to

survive and thrive in the VUCA world!


Talent experts are standing by at

1.800.933.4463 or [email protected] to help

your organization navigate this new normal.

Ready for a VUCA world?