A global approach to talent management: High‐quality leaders are the key to competitive advantage

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an insight into global talent management, including some of the common stumbling blocks and tools for assessing global talent.

Design, methodology, approach

The paper explains the importance of global talent management and includes case‐study examples of how international organizations Philips and Quintiles have approached aspects of their global talent‐management strategy.

Findings

The paper argues that behavioral assessment is a key tool in enabling an organization to take a long‐term, strategic approach to its global leadership pipeline, objectively evaluating junior leaders, middle management and senior leadership and developing a talent pool and subsequent development program that will provide a continuous pipeline of future global leaders.

Practical implications

The paper takes a strategic approach to talent management and suggests which tools and approaches are useful in developing global talent strategy.

Social implications

The highlights the fact that organizations are looking for the benefits of economies of scale and of adopting a more unified approach to their systems and processes across the globe, yet they are also mindful of regional differences that must be overcome if a global talent‐management program is to work.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that, in an increasingly competitive global marketplace, the importance of an effective talent‐management strategy cannot be underestimated.

Citation

Newhall, S. (2012), "A global approach to talent management: High‐quality leaders are the key to competitive advantage", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 20 No. 6, pp. 31-34. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670731211260870