Searching for a new hire can be a challenging and seemingly futile task. The talent pool can run shallow and like parking spaces, the good ones are always taken. Ideally, new hires are equipped with all the skills necessary to fulfill the position and add value to the organization. Outside of the required skills, experience and education, what are you expecting your new hires to know? What should you want them to know? A shift in one sector is revealing what assets are most desirable in a new hire.
Information Technology specialists are often thought of as one-dimensional employees: tech-savvy computer gurus with little to no business acumen or soft skills. Scott Laliberte, managing director and leader of global IT security and privacy practice at Protiviti, a global consulting firm with more than 70 offices in over 20 countries, looks for more in his candidates. "Besides technical knowledge, a love of learning and thirst for new challenges are key attributes of successful candidates," says Laliberte. "Finding a candidate that has a balance of strong technical skills, business acumen and communication aptitude is extremely rare, but those candidates will go very far."
Protiviti implemented an onboarding solution to introduce new hires to the business of their business. For Protiviti, and many other companies on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to work for list, empowering new and seasoned employees with this kind of knowledge is a top priority.
Mike Matchett, Senior Analyst & Consultant at the Taneja Group said, “If IT professionals are more aware of business objectives – particularly long-term enterprise financial and customer service goals – they’ll be better equipped to optimize the applications and processes that support the business.”
A common theme has emerged. An employee’s understanding of the business will have a direct impact on not only the quality of their work, but their overall value to the company. This line of thinking isn’t limited to the world of IT. Acknowledging the benefits these skills bring to the table, what can be done to impart these ideas onto an existing workforce?
Business acumen training can be a dynamic and enlightening solution that benefits seasoned workers and new hires alike.
How can incorporating business acumen training benefit your organization?
Read our Business Acumen Anecdote - HERE!
