As the saying goes, 'People are a company's greatest asset', and it's never been truer than it is now. Most employers have experienced difficulty in filling a role at some point or another. While there may be a shortage of talent, here are some tips on making your company more attractive.
Cultivate a positive organisational culture
Is the right kind of behaviour being rewarded? In Asia we talk about innovation yet often employees are discouraged from sharing opinions that may go against the grain. The 'courage to speak truth to power' as it's termed, is something that should be rewarded instead of supressed. New ideas or attention to existing issues often come from newer employees who may be junior and a fresh perspective can be a blessing. It's also important to distinguish between heritage practices and culture. Just because something's been done a certain way doesn't mean it can't be improved. Culture is about the way people behave, not what is done.
Ensure the right people are being promoted
The amount of time someone has spent doing something doesn't always translate to managerial capability. Your company can suffer if it promotes people based purely on tenure. Make sure that those being promoted into managerial positions have the competencies required to lead effectively, treat others how they want to be treated, and will add to the organisation's culture instead of detract.
Stay involved with the hiring process
As companies grow, people often allow the organisation's success to let them believe that it will only attract the best talent. While this can sometimes hold true, it can also mean that candidates aren't assessed properly. Make sure key people play a role in the hiring process, get line managers involved as well as heads of departments.
If an organisation can create a winning, positive culture with an experienced and collaborative hiring process, it can be instrumental in attracting and retaining top talent.