13.5 Summary

How will your organization fill the roles of the future? Are your existing employees ready with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to fill these roles? As employee development takes time and investment, managers must continually provide their team members with opportunities to further develop their skills.

When it comes to succession planning, or your “bench strength,” it can take years to develop the talent needed to fill management or specialized roles. Succession planning is a strategic initiative that pays off in dividends if it is carried out correctly. It makes an organization competitive and it prevents companies from facing the dreaded skills gap.

Employee personal development is meant to equip your employees with the skills needed to move within your organization. Create a career development plan that highlights both short-term and long-term development goals and specific initiatives to achieve such goals. Take the time to develop both succession planning and employee personal development programs to become an employer of choice.