Talent Management

The New Face of Talent Management
Making Sure That People Really Are Your Most Important Asset

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2009 for the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD)

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publishers, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to ASTD, Publications Department, Box 1443, Alexandria VA 22313-1443. ISBN 10: 1-56286-683-4 ISBN 13: 978-1-56286-683-9 Product code: 100901

About ASTD
ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) is the world’s largest association dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals. ASTD’s members come from more than 100 countries and connect locally in 133 U.S. chapters, 26 Global Networks, and 12 Global Partners. Members work in thousands of organizations of all sizes, in government, as independent consultants, and suppliers. ASTD started in 1943. In recent years, ASTD has widened the profession’s focus to link learning and performance to individual and organizational results, and is a sought-after voice on critical public policy issues. For more information, visit www.astd.org.

Dear Colleague,

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or many decades, talent management has been synonymous with succession planning for high-potential employees and top executives. Most organizations did not regard talent outside those two groups as a critical asset requiring focus. But in certain industries such as service, hospitality, or retail, and others where knowledge workers were the heart of the business, it became clear that the skills and abilities of many types of employees were essential for business success. Talent, or human capital, began to be regarded as an asset just like physical assets... [continues]

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