"A Players" & "A Positions"

JWI 520, People Management, Week3 Summary, 7/21/12

This week I learned how to differentiate employees, take strategic talent inventory and staff right positions with right players.

1. Be clear about the basis of competition
************************************************
What is the unique competitive advantage you are going after ? - is it through the offering of the lowest cost, highest value or a unique differentiation ?
To execute the strategy, what makes sense? - managing through "A players" or "A positions"?

2. Determine Strategic capabilities needed
*************************************************
What skills and talents are needed to deliver the competitive advantage and win in the marketplace?

3. Identify Strategic Positions
**********************************
Identify jobs that are strategically critical to the success of the firm
Eliminate jobs that add little or no value
Develop action plans for each strategic position

4. Take a Talent inventory
******************************
What skills and talents exist in the team right now ? Benchmark versus competition. Where are the gaps ?
Work with HR to assure enough top talent
Review strategic talent often and update team as needed

5. Go after "A" Players
***************************
Get the right people on the bus & wrong people off the bus (Jim Collins)

6. Place right people in the right positions
************************************************
Invest disproportionately to ensure the right people doing the right things are in right positions (Huselind et al, 2005)
Get C players out of top positions
Then determine where to go and drive the bus forward

Dr DP