Who Would Have Guessed?

A month in politics can certainly see some changes.  Although not a change in the overall government but certainly a change in direction with the appointment of Julia Gillard as the Prime Minister.  Yes sure, there was gossip in the trenches about potential change as was there denial about who would end up being the main candidate. And change it did.  Is it over yet?  Possibly not with elections looming sooner now rather than later!  Both the future and then history will tell the story.

In business, with the changes that have happened over the last twelve to eighteen months we have seen this same scenario played and replayed over and over, with changes in businesses from CEO level through to the shop floor.  Was it because they were not the right choice in the beginning or was it just because?

In running businesses, the boards and indeed CEO's are becoming acutely aware of the need to make sure that decisions made can and will stand up to scrutiny both within the organisation, at staff level and by outside advisors and customers. 

In a recent study by Leadership Management Australasia, (L.E.A.D Survey) Profiles International Australia's sister company, I was interested to note the following quote:

• Engagement
  
  A mere 14 percent of employees around the world are highly engaged in their work. 
  
  In other words, roughly 85 percent of people at work are giving significantly less of themselves than they could.
  
  Towers Perrin Survey of
  86,000 employees around the world
  
  
• Opportunities for career development
  
  87% would like to advance / develop with current organisation
  
  Only 64% believe this is possible
  
  35% have had little or no reassurance about their future

At Profiles we have noticed the increase in companies wanting to make the best decisions.  They recognise that it's not just a matter of gut feel.  In fact smart companies are now turning more and more to assessment products to make sure that decisions made about promotions, new appointments and around the area of talent management are valid and measured, they are using Job Fit assessments.   Job Fit Assessments measure not just abilities, but a range of key employability skills.

As you continue to see changes at all levels in your organisations its time to make sure that your business is strong, that you do have the right people and that you are using state of the art tools and assessments.  

A study by Professor Mike Smith of the University of Manchester concluded that if you interview and interview alone you have 14% chance of making the right appointment.  With the right mix of tools, however including Job Matching you move this to 75%.  As managers do we have the mandate to do anything else but the best?

Peter Hosie
National Sales Manager
Profiles International Australasia