4 top tips for resourcing and development

We’re all aware now that attracting and retaining top talent is crucial for long-term success. However, we are frequently seeing organisations struggle to develop effective strategies for cultivating an engaged, high-performing workforce. As a leader, you know that your people are your most asset. But how do you ensure your team feels motivated, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential?  

We sat down with David Jenkins, smart/tasking’s Associate Director, to talk about his top tips to boost employee retention, facilitate continuous learning and development, and optimise your resource planning. These four points will get you on the road to a thriving work environment that both attracts and retains the best and brightest minds in your industry. 

Focus on areas of development and learning 

When it comes to professional development, it’s important to focus on areas that are both interesting to your employees and beneficial to their current or desired roles. For example, if you have Project Support professionals looking to transition into Project Management, you may want to explore offering learning opportunities in Agile, PRINCE2, Waterfall, or MSP methodologies. By investing in skills that align with peoples’ career aspirations, you can enhance how they feel working with your organisation.  

 Implement a talent retention plan 

The success of any business is largely dependent on the quality and engagement of its people. To ensure you retain your top talent, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive talent retention plan in place. This should include: 

• Fostering a positive and supportive company culture that aligns with your employees’ values 
• Providing clear paths for career progression and development opportunities 
• Implementing a fair and competitive compensation and rewards system 
• Developing plans to address the unique needs and goals of your employees. 

By prioritising the well-being and growth of your people, you can create an environment that encourages loyalty, productivity, and long-term commitment to the organisation.

Optimise resource planning

Effective resource planning is essential for maintaining a healthy and balanced workforce. This involves accurately forecasting and managing the capacity of your resources to ensure optimal utilisation. However, it’s equally important to prevent burnout by ensuring that no individual is consistently working at over 100% capacity. By striking the right balance, you can maximise productivity while also prioritising the well-being of your team. Check in with your employees regularly, and show you truly care. 

Streamline the onboarding process

The onboarding process for new hires sets the tone for their entire experience with the organisation, and we cannot emphasise enough how many organisations fall short on this one. By implementing a seamless and engaging onboarding program, you can make a powerful and positive impact on new team members. This is an opportunity to: 

• Introduce the company’s values, culture, and development opportunities 
• Involve the wider business in welcoming and integrating the new hire 
• Demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to employee growth and success. 

A well-designed onboarding process can help new hires feel valued, supported, and excited about their future with the company, ultimately contributing to higher retention and engagement.  

By addressing these four key areas – professional development, talent retention, resource planning, and onboarding – you can create a comprehensive strategy to support the growth and success of your business and its people, making sure it’s always top of mind.  

If you want to know how we are working to support organisations in these key areas or if you require any expertise in change, transition or transformation, or need support with a great onboarding process, please reach out to the team at resourcing@smarttasking.com.