Experts, HR managers underscore talent management at PCL forum

Partner PCL, Dele Phillips (left); Head of Human Resources at PCL, Oredolapo Adedayo; MD of PCL, Rob Taiwo; Partner in Business Solutions & Training at PCL, Modupe Thomas-Owoseni; and Partner in People Transformation, Olawanle Moronkeji

Experts and HR managers at the PCL forum have advocated strategies to optimise talent management practices in a competitive business landscape.

They spoke on the theme, “Transformative Talent Management: Embracing Change for Competitive Advantage” at a forum organised by PCL in Lagos.

The forum, tagged Talent Management 2.0 Event, drew HR managers and industry leaders from diverse sectors.

The event addressed pressing challenges and emerging trends shaping the future of talent management.

Laying the foundation for the discussion, the Managing Director of PCL, Rob Taiwo, in his opening remarks, emphasised the significance of talent management, its role in social mobility, and how business leaders could make a difference in managing talent.

He said: “Beyond the boardroom, 63 per cent of Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor, and talent management is a critical equaliser in the fight for social mobility and socioeconomic advancement. When both are in sync, they advance equitable opportunity, diversity, and inclusion.”

The panellists discussed the changing dynamics of talent management and shared experiences and insights on managing people for the growth of organisations.

Chief Talent Partner at YF Talent Partners, Yemi Faseun, stated: “Today’s workforce looks beyond pay. Organisations have stayed too long in the linear perspective of managing talent, focusing more on pay and promotion rather than a healthy work-life balance and positive work culture.”

He suggested the need for organisations to change their relationship style from a traditional HR approach to applying empathy and trust.

In his contribution, the Chairman of Algorithm Media Nigeria Limited, Seni Adetu, emphasised the importance of an effective talent management leader and noted that people, reputation, and brand constitute a tripod, each indispensable, and their combination represents a business’s greatest asset.

He further stated that organisations should treat their talents like a brand, saying: “Attendees gained access to practical strategies and innovative approaches for attracting, retaining, and developing top talents, equipping them with the tools to drive organisational success.”

The Head of HR at FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Olubukola Lanipekun-Lawal, highlighted the importance of data-driven decisions when managing talent.

She also discussed effective strategies for people management, such as assigning mentors to guide and oversee downlines and talent managers, adding that organisations should focus more on employees’ experiences by providing necessary tools to support their growth.

“A digital approach to talent management is critical, and organisations should ensure that employees are provided with tools required to make work enjoyable and assure them that the organisation is interested in how they deliver on work.”

Senior Consultant in the People Transformation unit at PCL, Tracy Afolabi-Johnson, highlighted that “people are interested in working with organisations that invest in their training and development.”

Adjudging the event as successful, Partner in the People Transformation Unit at PCL, Olawanle Moronkeji, said: “Transformative talent management has to be imaginative, agile, and inclusive in design and execution.”