Insiders Rise To The Challenge

Hiring new staff is expensive. A survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development suggests that it costs companies an average of £20,000 to replace senior managers who leave. Across all levels of employee it costs an average of nearly £6,000.

“Organisations that want to promote from within need to be open-minded about where high-potential staff can be found, as not all future leaders join in management positions or even on a graduate programme,” says Lesley Uren, Chief Executive of Jackson Samuel.

“Talent does not always present itself in obvious places,” she said. “If you build in too many criteria, such as they have to be a graduate or they must have certain experience, it limits your ability to spot raw talent.

“Instead, look for people with a gift, such as an instinctive understanding of customers, resilience or charisma. You also need to be willing to develop that talent,” she said.

“When you are looking for ‘diamonds in the rough’, you have to knock a few edges off.”

Uren is one of many recruitment experts who believe that a balanced people management plan must include both internal and external recruitment.

The full article was originally published within The Sunday Times – 12th July 2009...