It’s back-to-school time for most folks, so let’s look at employee growth and development. (And a little detour to a classic everyone should read.)
First off, I like to make a distinction between employee growth and employee development. “Growth” is about consolidating an employee’s current position. As you know, we often hire to potential, or we hire partially qualified employees. Either way, we’re faced with skilling up the employee to be fully qualified to perform the role or job. But the story doesn’t end there.
“Development” is focused on preparing the employee for the next level of performance. This might be additional duties, a new job, or even a promotion. With growth, it’s the employer deciding what people need to know, do and value. But with development, it’s the employee who should be at the center of these decisions.
Customizing Employee Education for Better Retention, by Michelle Westfort,
Training Magazine, July 2024
In this article, Michelle Westfort reminds us to take individual preferences, differences and strengths into account when designing employee developmental experiences. Also, consider affordability (for both the employee and employer) and time (ditto).
Long-term employee development will not only contribute to employee retention, but it will also add to any organization’s succession planning efforts as well.
Biometric Authentication for Online Exams, by Mohamed Lazzouni,
Training Magazine, August 2024
Dr Lazzouni tackles the challenge of authenticating and verifying who is taking certifications and certificate examinations online. Moving beyond user identifications and passwords, newer biometric methods employ verifications that are unique to each person. Additionally, security is further enhanced by being able to verify the test-taker’s identity throughout the testing process. This makes testing more reliable and valid, and it extends the process far beyond the hermetically sealed test center!
Finally, let’s take a look at a book that should be on every talent developer’s shelf:
Foundations of Human Resource Development, 3rd Edition, by Richard Swanson (2022)
Originally written by Richard Swanson and Elwood Holton III, this book presents the seminal theoretical foundation for human resource (talent) development. But it goes far beyond theory, bridging the gap between theory and practice. According to the author, readers will learn about:
- HRD models and theories that support best practice
- History and philosophical foundations of the field
- HRD’s role in learning, performance, and change in organizations
Something I found extremely valuable in my practice was the foundational theory of HRD, which is based on three other theories (systems, psychology and economics) with a basis in ethics. This theory is extremely useful when examining our employee growth and development programs and initiatives. Please take a look!
Well, that will do it for September. Welcome back to school everyone, everywhere. See you next month!