Hiring Strategies followed by Organizations
People are the lifeblood of any organization. Whether the organization is in the traditional sectors like manufacturing or it is a “new economy” based one like IT and ITES, it needs to be staffed with people of caliber and mettle. Hence, the kind of people that an organization hires is critical to the success of […]
Human Resource (HR) Audit – Meaning, Phases and its Advantages
Human Resource Audit is a comprehensive method of objective and systematic verification of current practices, documentation, policies and procedures prevalent in the HR system of the organization. An effective HR audit helps in identifying the need for improvement and enhancement of the HR function. It also guides the organization in maintaining compliance with ever-changing rules […]
The Dynamics of Small Entrepreneurs and Their Importance in Developing Countries
Entrepreneurship Means Many Things Whenever we think of the terms, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs, there are several images that are conjured in the mind. For instance, the most common feeling is an individual or a set of individuals coming together to launch a new business with stars in their eyes and full of passion. Next, we […]
Why Organizations Must Admit Systemic Mistakes and Failures and Stand Up for their Employees ?
Employees are Also Important Stakeholders Contemporary organizations have to be accountable to a diverse range of stakeholders including customers, investors, regulators, and social activists as well as the wider civil society. However, what are missing in this list are the employees who are as important as the other stakeholders. Indeed, while it is fashionable for […]
Informational Training Methods
Informational training methods are basically used to teach facts and figures and for developing a change in attitude. There is a one way communication between the trainer and the trainee that involves the transfer of information without many deliberations. New policies, programs, code of conduct are transferred using informational training methods. Lectures, audio visuals, self […]
In one our write ups we mentioned the problem of succession planning in organizations. The basis was the SHRM survey of 2003 that found out that 60% of organizations have no succession planning at all. We discuss the phenomenon in detail here. What is succession planning and when did it emerge as a problem? What is the way out? Questions like these will be discussed in the coming lines.
Succession planning is a systematic process of identifying and developing talent for leadership positions in the future. According to SHRM survey of 2003 it was found out that 60% of the firms that they interviewed had no succession planning in place and contrastingly about 70% of the major corporations globally had a proper succession planning in place in the late 1970’s. Similarly IPMA HR survey of 2004 found out that 63% of companies have no manpower planning at all which was commonplace in every organization till the late 1950’s. So the question that arises is when did succession planning emerge as a problem? Who is responsible - is it because of some demographic changes or because of the apathy on the part of management?
Marshall Goldsmith one of the world’s leading executive coaches recently wrote that many executives complained about succession planning being such a waste of time. Still many CEO’s complained about lack of bench strength in their organizations - lack of talent principally. Finally the role of demographics cannot be ignored! United States, for example has an aging population. India on the other hand has a population that is young by demographic standards. The combination of all these factors we may say has made a mess of succession planning in the past few decades.
What is the way out ?
‘Tell me and I will listen, show me and I will see and let me do it and I will learn’, how can we forget the age old adage! Plans specially pertaining to succession it seems do not work anymore, it is the development experiences that engage and motivate people at work. Perhaps renaming your succession planning to succession development may go a long way in reviving the succession planning process in your organization. The planning processes have lots of do’s and don’ts that make people think of it as another plan that is an end in itself and no a means to future position. Let them realize the focus is on development and not on the planning process.
The next step would be laying emphasis on outcomes rather than the process. This would underline in the eyes of employees what gets measured and what gets rewarded and elicit necessary behaviors and behavioral changes. Their ownership in the development process can increase as a result. Then there is a need to make the assessment process as simple as possible. Organizations have a tendency to make the assessment process complex unnecessarily. Complex assessment processes make assessment difficult for the average line manager. More complex assessment processes can be developed at the level of people development, while planning for succession, keep it simple.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
