Editor's note
The war for talent rages on. With the market for quality workers becoming increasingly competitive, executives are making their company's human capital a top priority. HR leaders have more information at their fingertips than ever before and have turned to analytics tools to find, hire and retain the best talent. Companies also want to implement performance management technology to appeal to an increasingly collaborative and tech-savvy crop of new workers.
In this guide, we explore the four pillars that make up talent management, and its potential benefits. These four functions are recruitment, performance management, learning and compensation management. The recruitment module helps HR to attract qualified candidates and keep track of resumes through an applicant tracking system. Performance management enables managers to define and monitor employee goals. Learning tools aid with onboarding, provide employees with training materials to improve their performance and keep track of skill progression. Compensation management connects performance to pay and makes sure that every employee is paid correctly.
Talent management software unifies these four functions, although a number of products from niche vendors specifically address one or more of these areas.
Read on to learn more about talent management tools and trends.
1How to match talent management tools to your company's needs
There are several important factors to keep in mind when choosing talent management tools, according to industry experts. HR leaders should first examine the workforce, taking into consideration the number of employees, their geographic locations and turnover rates. Any other software that the company uses, such as a CRM or ERP systems, should also be taken into account for integration purposes.
HR leaders should go into the decision process with a clear idea of what they'd like to accomplish with the aid of new software. Is the goal to automate manual processes, standardize a number of disparate systems or completely reinvent the HR approach? The answer will help HR managers choose the right talent management software to address the company's specific needs.
Find more detailed advice for selecting the right talent management software in the following articles.
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Article
How to find the right talent management features
Buying a new talent management system? Make your vendor shortlist with the help of this expert tip. Read Now
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Article
Look at talent management in the broader HR software scheme
HR software expert Mary E. Shacklett helps you determine must-have features and functions when buying HR software, including talent management tools. Read Now
2System integration, training are essential to talent management success
Talent management tools won't resolve employee recruitment and retention issues by themselves. Companies need to develop a clear plan to navigate talent management pitfalls.
For example, because integration across modules is one of the greatest challenges cited by talent management software users, experts suggest that business leaders identify which of the four pillars is the most crucial for the company, and then choose a system that is strongest in that area.
These articles focus on the challenges of implementing talent management software, with some expert advice for overcoming them.
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Article
Red Hat mines talent acquisition software but finds lack of integration a challenge
Gild Source talent acquisition software is easy to use, but sometimes recruiters at Red Hat don't access it as much as they could because it is a separate system. Read Now
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Article
Five tips for launching a talent management system
HR knows talent management software can help attract and retain staff. But without a well-developed project plan, the benefits may not be realized. Read Now
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Don't forget about training
With any HR software implementation, training is key to employees adopting the system and using it to improve business processes. Here is what to keep in mind. Read Now
3How social, cloud, analytics affect talent management
Social media, the cloud and analytics are changing talent management software and the way companies use it.
Vendors are revamping their recruitment modules with social features, adding collaborative capabilities to learning and implementing 360-degree feedback into performance management. Software as a service HR products are also on the rise, and talent management systems are leading the way. Low upfront costs and automatic upgrades are two key benefits of using cloud-based software, and HR managers are taking notice.
The cloud also allows companies to access more integrated data about employees. Analytics tools help companies make more informed decisions across the talent management spectrum.
The following articles explore these trends and their growing implications for HR departments.
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Article
Social media behavior, cloud among HR trends shaping future
A new report from Constellation Research explores developments that are vital to HR's future. Read a Q&A with report author Holger Mueller, a vice president and principal analyst. Read Now
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Article
Data analysis, engagement spur interest in talent analytics
Technology markets are consolidating, and most of the new HR platforms are in the cloud. Companies can access much more data about their people than ever before. Read Now
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Article
Companies move ERP, HR functions to public cloud services
Two use cases suggest moving to public cloud services is no longer a choice; it's a reality of doing business in the 21st century. Read Now
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Article
Analytics tools model future for hiring managers, HR software
Infor, Cornerstone and Workday are among HR software firms buying smaller companies to gain a foothold in predictive analytics. Read Now
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Employee assessment software matches job hopefuls
Software uses brain games to distinguish people and connect them with employers that are looking for applicants with preferred character traits and values. Read Now