Two-part series offers real-world examples, practical advice and tips for creating talent strategies that yield positive, bottom-line results

CHICAGO – December 22, 2011– According to a recent Corporate Executive Board (CEB) study featured in the Wall Street Journal that aggregated data of more than 4,300 exit interviews, three-quarters of departing employees would not recommend their previous employer to others. Cited as the worst percentage in at least five years, this study underscores the need for today’s employers to create, develop and maintain talent strategies that promote employee satisfaction, creativity and growth.

To help business leaders optimize talent, The Vaya Group today released the first half of a two-part complimentary white paper series. The first part of the series identifies four of the eight components that make up the Talent Optimization Framework™ (TOF)—a multi-disciplinary approach and proven formula to help human resource (HR) professionals cultivate, promote and optimize talent.

Designed to help business leaders achieve the behavioral, cultural and leadership changes necessary to sustain talent, the white papers cover the following topics:

• Executive Engagement - It’s vital for senior leaders to take an active role in creating and supporting their companies’ talent agenda. This white paper describes how leaders can set the stage for and demonstrate clear engagement with talent initiatives.
• Organizational Culture - Without the right workplace culture, talent cannot be continually refreshed and sustained. To help companies foster an environment that champions employee growth and creativity, this white paper explores the common characteristics of companies with talent-rich cultures and provides tips for creating a “winning” workplace.
• Talent Assessment - A current HR buzzword, talent assessment can be a powerful method for achieving talent sustainability and staying one step ahead of ever-changing market and industry dynamics. By examining hiring success and horror stories, this white paper emphasizes the importance of using talent assessment as a strategy for retaining top talent.
• HR Capabilities - The role and impact of the HR department can vary greatly on the company, but as organizations run leaner, it’s important for HR professionals to serve as business partners to the “C-suite.” This white paper discusses how HR executives can overcome common misconceptions about their department and identify ways they can exert their influence as powerful talent leaders.

 “Based on findings from the CEB and today’s headlines, which demonstrate large numbers of disgruntled employees, it’s clear that employee satisfaction took a back seat during the recession,” said Paul Eccher, Ph.D., author and co-founder and principal of The Vaya Group. “However, by prioritizing strategies that embed talent into their organization’s DNA, employers can get to the root of the problem while improving employee satisfaction and the bottom line.”

The first half of the white paper series can be downloaded at www.vayapath.com/company/whitepaper-series.php.

The second half of the series, which outlines Strategic Alignment, Performance Management, Learning and Development Tools and Talent Data Analytics—the other four components of the TOF—will be released in early 2012.

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