Suceession Planning
Suceession Planning
Suceession Planning
Replacement Planning is a reactive approach to staffing that involves identifying replacements for key positions, usually at the senior levels of the organization. Little focused development occurs for the successor and it is commonly assumed that the current manager is also a sound role model for the next manager. CEO replacement was the original focus of replacement planning given the critical role the CEO plays in any business. It then evolved into Succession Planning which differs to Replacement Planning only in that identified successors undertake focused development. The process of succession planning is also closely intertwined with the workforce planning process. Each can only be as good as the other. Workforce planning allows the importance of job roles to be reviewed and critical training needs to be identified and prioritised (Kiyonaga, 2004). Without such information, key roles and employees are difficult to identify and development efforts will lack focus. There is still much debate about whether replacements should come from outside or from within the organisation. Research suggests that insiders tend to deliver better results than those from outside (Zhang & Rajagopalan, 2004; cited in Berke, 2005). This is only the case however if insiders have been groomed for the role. The negative impact on the organisation of a poor hire (or an unprepared internal successor) increases with the seniority of the role being filled. Succession Management is a proactive approach to managing talent as it involves identification of high potentials for anticipated future needs and the tailored development of these people so that there is a talent pool or leadership pipeline available to meet organisational demands as they arise. The HR domain of Succession Planning and Management (SPM) grew out of a recognised need to plan for CEO retirement in a tight labour market that had been caused by downsizing (particularly stripping layers of management), an increase in people reaching retirement age, as well as fewer entrants into the workforce. The importance of having the right people in these senior roles to act as role models was a key driver (Berke, 2005).
Succession planning needs to be focused on senior management positions, starting at the top of the organization (with particular attention paid to CEO and/or managing director) and going at least six or seven levels down, so as to include middle management positions. Its not necessary to continue down to team leader positions as these are more fluid.
(Wayne Bleakley, cited in Somerville, 2006)
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More advanced succession plans also monitor external appointments, typically from competitors, in their succession pools (Somerville, 2006). Conger & Fulmer (2003) also make the following suggestions: Build a flexible SPM system that is development oriented, not just focused on traditional replacement planning. Pay attention to linchpin positions, jobs that are critical to the long term sustainability of the organisation. Manage your pipeline to ensure development opportunities and experiences. Make sure the system is transparent to all staff all employees should know how they are performing and what is required to reach the next step. Measure the progress of those in the system on a regular basis. This helps to keep track of the pace of development and whether it will meet the anticipated needs of the business. Most importantly, keep your system flexible and open to changes and be willing to modify it to ensure maximum uptake.
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Others include: frequency of external CEO searches (Greer & Virick, 2008). size and quality of cross-functional or international talent pools (Conger & Fulmer, 2003).
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Another study by InfoHRM (2008) listed the key management challenges as follows. Leadership gaps are not closing Executive recruitment is producing uninspiring results High proportions of key talent are at risk of turnover Inadequate career paths and ineffective line management are contributing to employee turnover The Return on Investment (ROI) of talent initiatives is not being measured Talent programs lack corporate oversight Adjusting development programs to suit changing business needs.
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InfoHRM
The Return on Investment (ROI) of talent initiatives is not being measured Talent programs lack corporate oversight
InfoHRM
InfoHRM
Bersin, InfoHRM
Bersin, InfoHRM
Bersin
Bersin
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By 2010, 50% of organizations will face a crisis in management; specifically, they will experience a shortage of management talent and the right skills. Through 2010, fewer than half of traditional managers and supervisors will successfully make the transition to high-performing workforce leaders.
(Harris, Gammage & Morello, 2007) SPM allows organisations to assess organisational, divisional and team capability gaps, and thereby offers the opportunity to plan, review and prepare successors in a timely manner to meet the demands of the future. 6.1. Prevalence of SPM In todays increasingly complex business environment, the issue of identifying and preparing the next generation of leadership talent is consistently cited by executives and boards as one of their most critical business priorities. Despite this, most organisations consistently rate their succession management practices as less than effective (Busine & Watt, 2005). Companies are successful to the extent that they have leaders at all levels of the organization. Any institution that invests in the development of leaders at all levels is going to get ahead of its competition, (Noel Tichy, Michigan Business School; cited in Allio, 2003). Numerous studies and surveys quote the incidence of SPM systems. This research indicates that the positive impact of such a program on business profitability has not been embraced wholeheartedly despite its proven value. In addition, the current economic climate highlights its importance even more as a strategy for survival, let alone growth. For example: Only 29% of HR professionals have implemented succession planning programs and 94% indicate that younger employees in their organizations are not being prepared for advancement. Britt (2003) Between 40% and 65% of companies around the world have a formal succession planning process in place. Garman & Glawe (2008) 52% of Australian companies have a formal succession management process. PageUp People (2008) 41% of HR professionals said that their organizations had a succession plan in place. Busine & Watt (2005)
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The Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), one of the worlds major share indices, consists of more than 300 companies that have ranked highest in triple bottom line measurement. The fact that HR practices constitute or directly influence up to 75% of the DJSIs criteria, is consistent with studies that have shown companies with advanced HRM are more likely to have, or develop, strong share prices. Companies making the largest investment in staff development have returned 137% compared with 55% for the Standard & Poors 500 Index.
(Sexton, 2003) SPM is the greatest investment in staff development that an organisation can make as it touches each component of the complete Employee Life Cycle. Bersin & Associates also report that a sound Performance Management system can offer up to 10 times the financial investment if implemented effectively. Given that Performance Management is a key element of SPM, the potential benefits of strong SPM program are evident.
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Those being positioned as future leaders tend to look and act an awful lot like people in those top positions It simply reflects an adherence to traditional methods of succession planning.
(McKinnon, in Greer & Virick, 2008) Diversity less diversity in demographics means less diversity of thought, perspectives, knowledge and skills, which impacts negatively on a companys ability to anticipate and respond to the changing commercial landscape (Greer & Virick, 2008). Top levels of management - not until the 1980s did the concept of succession planning begin to be applied to lower levels of management. The function of SPM has since grown and the value of applying the process across an entire organisation, not just at the upper levels, has been recognised (Kesner & Sebora, 1994; cited in Berke, 2005). However, there are still mixed views among practitioners and academics about the extent to which all employees should be able to access their companys SPM program. An organization that institutionalizes succession planning and adopts succession management from the top throughout the organization has an optimized talent management strategy. When implementing succession planning, consider not just your top management and critical talent, but all employees (CedarCrestone, 2008, p.17). Assessment of potential - fundamental to the success of the SPM process is the ability to predict a persons likely future performance in an unfamiliar environment. Lombardo & Eichinger (2000) suggest that learning is the key to distinguishing high potentials as past performance only suggests that people will continue to perform well at higher levels within the same function. It does not guarantee that they will perform well in a different function. Defined by Lombardo as going against the grain of what we prefer to do (or believe) in order to learn in a new way or do something new/ different (cited in Karaevli & Hall, 2003, p.69), Learning Agility is about learning from experience. Managers who possess this competency will help companies to adapt readily through application of their up to date knowledge and skills as they navigate the challenges presented. Lombardo & Eichinger (2000) describe four areas of Learning Agility - People Agility, Results Agility, Mental Agility, Change Agility. Planning - there is no right time to start planning, however a five year timeframe is sufficient to review all staff and provide development opportunities, implement these and see the benefits of these to the business need (Somerville, 2006). It is also critical to distinguish between job roles and those who hold them. The business strategy should pinpoint the jobs that are required for success in the future and should consider key specialist, development and knowledge roles.
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As organisations need to do more with less as a result of these and other demographic and social trends, those individuals who remain are taking on more responsibility as their roles expand. Retention of these key employees is critical and the importance of sufficient development and support is fundamental to this.
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