Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Gulf News Article : Focus on transforming HR practices to groom local talent

What will be the business trends and manpower skills that will take precedence as the crescendo builds up in Dubai for Expo 2020. Three main lines have emerged so far: brand building through digital marketing, virtual collaboration and cross-cultural competence. There is an increasing consensus about the skills to look out and cultivate for the future : learning ability, thinking and specialization, writes Dr. Sathya Menon, Academic Director, Blue Ocean Academy, Dubai in the column "Expert Advice", Gulf News dated January 21, 2014.
 
Developing Human Capital in time for 2020
Focus on transforming HR practices to groom local talent
By Sathya Menon
Dubai is set to transform itself into a hub of human capital, exporting knowledge and manpower to other GCC and North African countries. Experts agree that there is an urgent need for developing human resource practices to retain and groom local talent in time for Dubai Expo 2020.
The first step is to understand the dynamics of the employees and also the skills that they will need to gain expertise. It is also important to turn the spotlight on the future of workplace skills. Three main lines have emerged so far: brand building through digital marketing, virtual collaboration and cross-cultural competence.
There is an increasing consensus about the skills to look out for and cultivate for the future : learning ability, thinking and specialization.
Experts predict that in 2020, the private workforce in the UAE will be divided among those who work for large conglomerates, small and medium enterprises and those who are self employed. In the coming years there will be a distinctive increase in the no. of people working for small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs. The penchant for working for major corporations and multi-nationals might be on the decline.
The perspectives of employees are expected to change ushering in changes in the employment scenario. Obedience, diligence and expertise will be valued by employers and the onus will be on employees who can take initiative, are creative and passionate about their work.      
Worldwide the best HR practices are those that develop talent, globalisation, growth and innovation. Increasingly, the emphasis is on executing talent and HR strategies for organisational acceleration. Cutting-edge talent development must bring together on-the job learning, project assignments, talent networks and formal education and training with individual experiences. It’s time to re-imagine corporate learning:  Move away from traditional notions of training and strive to create behavioural change and to foster talent.
It is also time to re-think the relationship between learning and work: especially where and how learning is delivered. Develop and expect more from leaders at all levels: leadership development is to be aimed at more and younger people. Embrace the concept of continuous development, just like continuous improvement. Integrate work, social and community opportunities.
 
Handy Hints
Dubai set to export manpower and knowledge by 2020
New HR practices needed to groom local talent
There will be rise in the number of entrepreneurs in Dubai.
Sathya Menon is the Executive Director, Academics, Blue Ocean Academy.

No comments:

Post a Comment