Optimizing Talent Strategy with a Supply Chain Approach

This week I was fortunate to interact with global tech leaders, and excited to bring in a few thoughts on Workforce Planning and Recruiting.  Let us begin with a few labor market trends.

• Several software development labs are opening in Rwanda.  Very recently, Rohde & Schwarz officially opened its new software development lab in Rwanda.  This center is the first research and development initiative on the African continent for the company that develops, produces, and markets innovative information and communications technology products for professional user.
• Microsoft has expanded its operations in Qatar by opening a new facility.  Microsoft is working on developing Qatar into a critical technology hub in the middle east
• NetApp’s new 168,000-square-foot facility is open on Wichita State University’s campus.  With the location on WSU’s Innovation Campus, the data storage company will be able to partner directly with the university on any future curriculum that applies.  It will also provide WSU students the opportunity for hands-on training and lab experience before graduation
• The model of partnering with University students more closely is becoming popular.  Mindtree, an IT services company, is perfecting an exciting model.  They hire Bachelor of Arts students in India, and while working for Mindtree, the students go through a Master’s in technology program through the company’s partnership with BITS-Pilani.   This approach is a unique model where you can hire resources at a much lower cost and encourage them to complete highly specialized technology degrees (while working).  What NetApp is attempting to do with WSU students is also innovative in where they will influence the curriculum
• Oracle is ramping up in their Latin American plan with their latest focus on adding their tech footprint in Colombia
• IBM is ramping up efforts in Kochi -India, and the plan is to work on AI-driven services and products  (incidentally, I am typing this email from Kochi-India)
• Gaming company Wargaming opened two new offices in Belgrade, Serbia, and Warsaw, Poland.  This development is an important observation as this is happening post the Ukraine geopolitical scenario; Poland and the locations in the Balkans are gaining importance (We had written a separate email about the Balkan nations a few weeks back).   

It is becoming crucial to take a supply chain approach to monitor and see where the talent hubs are getting created.  We had written about this in a previous email.  A supply chain approach to talent means we look at internal and external talent and develop an optimal talent strategy.  We had presented this graphic in a previous email. 

We observe in the market that many companies are attempting to do this through a partnership with  People Analytics groups.  The new economic realities will mean we take a scientific approach to Talent Development ( we still need many talented people to carry through our digital initiatives).  Here are some examples of insights into how People Analytics workloads are evolving

We studied about 20,000 profiles and mapped the hotspots and workloads for People Analytics.  We plan to map the skill sets further, especially as it applies to the workloads that help in Recruitment and Workforce Planning, but here are the talent hotspots for People Analytics

Overall, we are pretty excited about HR’s role under emerging circumstances.  If we plan the initiatives correctly, we can accelerate transformation and adaptation and make the enterprises genuinely care for a great workplace.