About this podcast

What do we mean by talent, and why do employers need to adopt a more holistic approach to supporting career development, mentoring and promotion among their staff?

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Talent has different meanings in different contexts, and although we use phrases such as “the search for talent” or “the shortage of global talent”, the concept can mean different things to different people and organisations.

Marianne is joined by Dr Susan Shortland, Senior Lecturer in Human Resources Management (HRM) at the University of Westminster, to address leadership strategy and the challenges that managers face in developing policies and guidelines around talent and career management.

Talent management is often viewed from the employer’s perspective, managing people to maximise productivity and profit, but employees themselves also want to develop their own potential and talent, and look to an employer to support their personal and professional progress and growth.

Susan is Professor Emerita at London Metropolitan University and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Susan is an active researcher and the author of five books in the field of HRM. She previously held a managerial consultancy role in international HRM at KPMG and managed The CBI Employee Relocation Council.

Susan and Marianne look at ways to manage home based, host based and global assignees, and why it is so important for organisations to plan ahead to alleviate potential problems in the talent pipeline. They highlight the importance of the “psychological contract” and why people leave their jobs if that contract is broken or not fulfilled. They discuss why organisations need to view career progression through the lens of the employee’s personal and professional development, rather than just their own business strategy.

Also included in the discussion is gendered leadership and the need to develop and appoint talented women in senior and international roles. Susan offers tips and advice on effective talent management and engagement whatever the size of your organisation.

 

Speakers:

Marianne Curphey

Marianne is an award-winning freelance journalist, author and columnist specializing in personal finance and business. She writes on investment and personal finance for national magazines, newspapers and websites including BBC Worldwide, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian and The Observer.

Dr. Sue Shortland

Susan is a Senior Lecturer in HRM at the University of Westminster. Her career spans 40+ years, during which time she has worked in both the private and public sectors. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.