The “Value Conversation”.
We are all hearing a lot of buzz going on about how hard it is to hire right now, how it is a “candidate’s market”, how the cost of acquisition has gone up, etc etc. And well it is all but true isn’t it!
No one hiring strategy is perfect, and we have been no different. But one punt we were lucky enough to make, was that we never really stopped hiring, no matter how strong or weak the demand for talent was/ is. In fact, this led to immediate gratification as the best people we were lucky to hire — actually were hired against positions that did not even exist before the chat! This is fairly common in progressive startups, and I know of a few other fellow entrepreneurs who do the same. I call this kind of a chat, a “value conversation”
But the value conversation is not only limited to the time when one jumps ship, or a company is hiring for new talent. Perhaps this is the first time in a while, when each and every industry is being forced to look at talent as a serious investment, and not just a few humans to run machines, processes, deliver goods etc. And that can only be a good thing. But what does that mean for professionals in an industry? How long will this wave last? Should we all ride the wave and “make hay while the sun shines”? How can the value conversation be played more often than when one just wants something different in life, career, the bank account?
While in some cases switching may be indispensable and the right thing to do, but in a lot of cases, right now is the time to speak to your employer and understand how your business is realigning to the changes that the pandemic has brought about, and where does your contribution fit in that revised picture. In other words, whether switching or working in company, make it a habit to have the value conversation periodically! Whether you get an honest answer everytime or not, most businesses will appreciate the question and see value in the person asking it. And yes, whether a pathway, a “position” already exists for you at a certain place or not, in many cases it may just appear.
Human capital is one of the most significant investments a company makes — either directly or indirectly. And it is important for both companies, and professionals to be mindful of that. While it is important for companies to know and show the way, create opportunities, nurture employees and reward performance, it is equally important for professionals to realise their importance (not indispensability… importance) to a company, its customers, their peers and finally their own careers! And a good starting point could be the value conversation- for both the company and the employee.
