Talent management

Since McKinsey first coined the expression ‘the war for talent’ – the term ‘talent management’ has been increasingly common in the world of human resources. There is a range of views about the usefulness of the term – and indeed its meaning. However, broadly speaking it can be understood as referring to the

identification
development
engagement/retention
deployment

of those employees who are particularly valuable to an organisation – either in view of their ‘high potential’ for the future or because they are fulfilling business/operation-critical roles.

Nottingham Business School have carried out a major research project for us looking at talent management in a strategically integrated way in the global, national and organisational context.

We have published the following reports drawing on this research:

• A 'Research Insight' paper which provides a snapshot of some of the key findings from the research.
• View the Research insight
  
  
• The full report from the research Talent: Strategy, Management, Measurement which available to purchase from the CIPD bookstore.
• View to purchase
  
  
• In October 2006 we published Talent Management: Understanding the Dimensions drawing on existing literature and exploratory discussions with case study organisations.
• View the report
  
  
• In April 2006 we published a think-piece, Reflections on Talent Management. This contained survey findings relating to approaches to talent management, and some examples from case study organisations on talent management in action.
• View the report

Previous related CIPD research includes:

• Our survey (2003) and guide (2004) on career management
  View the survey
  View the guide
  
  

• Our stream of work on diversity (in particular, our ‘change agenda’ paper Women in the Boardroom: A bird’s eye view, 2004)
  
• View the change agenda
  
  
• Our annual Recruitment, Retention and Turnover and Learning and Development surveys
  
• View the Recruitment, Retention and Turnover survey
  
• View the Learning and Development survey
  
  
• Our guide Coaching and Buying Coaching Services
  View the guide
  
  
• Our executive briefing Managing the Careers of Professional Knowledge Workers
• View details in the CIPD Bookstore
  
  
• Our joint survey with DDI on international leadership (2005)
• View the survey
  
  
• Our survey and guide on flexible working
  
• View the survey
  
• View the guide
  
  
• Our guide International Management Development (2005)
• View the guide

CIPD is now interested to take forward new research in the area of Talent Management. If you have any views or suggestions please contact us.

Contact details:

Rebecca Clake, Adviser - Organisation and resourcing
Victoria Winkler, Adviser - Learning, training and development