Green Talent: To Build or Not to Build?

Many of our business clients find themselves at a cross-roads when it comes to workforce planning. While economic pressures have the business world evaluating cost, growing eco awareness and momentum for business sustainability has many companies exploring new value potential. Leading organizations realize business sustainability is now both a top and bottom-line company focus and are implementing business sustainability strategies that target revenue as well as cost reduction.

The need to plan and take action to address resource demands is rapidly approaching a tipping point in many organizations. Companies both large and small are learning first hand the value of integrating eco awareness into their operations, business strategies, and product deliveries to the end consumer. To execute these strategies, companies realize a need to build upon the quality of their workforce.

In a recent report, “Talent Acquisition Strategies 2009: Cutting through the Clutter and Proactively Managing Quality Candidates”, the Aberdeen Group examines some of the best practices in talent management. The report defines several consistent best-in-class strategies.

•    Emphasize strategic workforce planning.
•    Enhance company’s employer brand.
•    Proactively build and expand candidate pipeline.
•    Create efficiencies in recruitment processes and workflows.

In our sustainability consulting, we have observed many organizations implementing business sustainability programs to address workforce planning. These companies are focusing on more than just cost and risk management. Business sustainability leaders recognize that the right mix of talent can lead to increased company profitability.