Succession planning and talent mobility

This interview looks at the role of succession planning in today’s working context and how language learning will help a multi-generational workforce. It also highlights the internal organisational barriers that are likely to prevent a truly mobile workforce and offers practical tips for building a better succession planning strategy.

Two additional topics to follow later on this year are "Navigating data protection regulations for a global workforce" and "How to drive corporate training with big learner data".

According to the Speexx Exchange 2014-2015 Survey, strong communication skills underpin a competitive advantage, with 92% of respondents rating communication skills as important or very important for overall business success. Yet there are still some obstacles that make good communication difficult for organisations, the top one being lack of foreign-language skills, cited by 41%. Other factors include intercultural differences (20%) and lack of management support (18%).

Armin Hopp, Founder and President of Speexx, says, "Technology has broken down borders, enabling a truly global workplace, but in many cases the language barrier remains an obstacle to skills-based succession planning and employee mobility. A thorough succession- management strategy involves foreign-language and communication-skills training for all staff across the board.  Furthermore, if organisations get the process right, learner data can also provide unparalleled insight into the learning process. Talent management as we have known it over the past ten years is about to be reinvented, with a focus on engagement, experience, and empowerment."