Organizations must proactively plan for the future by cultivating a pipeline of talented leaders. Effective succession planning is a strategy that ensures business continuity, fosters growth, and drives long-term success. To get started, begin by identifying key roles and competencies. Analyze your organization’s current and future leadership needs, defining the essential skills, knowledge, and attributes …
by Betsy Barnich 
Employee development offers significant advantages for both employees and the organization as a whole. Here’s how investing in your workforce can lead to long-term success: 1. Boosting Productivity By providing training and development opportunities, employees gain new skills and knowledge, allowing them to tackle tasks more effectively. This translates to increased productivity and efficiency as …
by Betsy Barnich 
In the fast-paced world of technological advancements, organizations strive to enhance talent development to meet the ever-evolving industry demands. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents itself as an impressive tool, capable of transforming talent development initiatives. It is crucial, however, to acknowledge that for smaller organizations, some of these AI-powered tools might be beyond budgetary constraints …
by Betsy Barnich 
Frequently, organizations choose to wait until an employee has been on the team for a certain amount of time before they invest in developing these individuals. As Baby Boomers continue to retire, the Gen Z population is expected to account for more than one-quarter of the workforce by 2025. Developing these individuals now has several …
by Betsy Barnich 
Training for the sake of training is not a good investment of the time, energy or money we put into the creation of a training program. It is important to measure the outcomes of training, but it can be challenging to find the most effective way to do so. Consider the training type If your …
by Betsy Barnich 
Mentoring has long since been an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to personal and career development. However, many leaders wonder how to extract the maximum value from these mentorship opportunities. This week, we are diving into this topic and offering insights on making the most of formal and informal mentoring relationships. Formal …
by Betsy Barnich 
As an experienced Talent Development professional, you are likely familiar with the concept of “smile sheets” or reaction surveys used to gauge participants’ immediate feedback after a learning or development activity. These surveys typically ask participants to rate their satisfaction with the content, facilitator, and overall experience. While smile sheets are often criticized for only …
by Betsy Barnich 
You may have heard the phrase “performance reviews should never be a surprise.” We could not agree more. When done correctly, reviews provide a great opportunity to develop individuals on your team as well as shape your department or organizational culture. The challenge is that review season within organizations is often built within a narrow …
by Betsy Barnich 
Supporting the professional growth of your high-performing individuals is a true win-win situation – especially if it increases the likelihood that they will stay with your organization long-term. Engaging these go-getters takes a little time upfront but can reap tremendous rewards for your department, organization, and their personal development. Read for tips on how to …
by Betsy Barnich 
Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords; they are essential components of a thriving and successful organization. By incorporating these principles into talent development programs, businesses can unlock their full potential and ensure a more vibrant, innovative, and inclusive work environment. This week on the FOCUS blog, we’ll explore three key points for embracing diversity …
by Betsy Barnich 
