READ TIME: 4 minutes. Gaining a competitive edge comes from every employee having the right skills to drive success. What is workforce optimization? What does it look like? In today’s fast-paced business world, staying ahead of the curve requires more than simply having a talented workforce. Gaining a competitive edge is about ensuring that every team member has, and is using, the right skills to drive success. That’s where workforce optimization comes in. But what is workforce optimization? What does it look like? What is Workforce Optimization? At its core, workforce optimization is the proc ..read more

Most employers agree that it’s smart to prioritize skills over degrees. Here is the Avilar Competency Model and how it can help your workforce management. “A competency model is a showcasing of what skills are necessary for a position within a company. These models can help professionals understand their requirements for a role or what competencies they might need to excel within the position.” – Indeed Editorial Team With employers embracing skills-based hiring, there is sweeping agreement that a focus on skills over degrees has many benefits. Yet there is still confusion around how to mak ..read more

Competency management systems are used by companies to track and manage workforce skills. What are the top must-have features to look for? Across the country, there’s been a measurable shift toward focusing on skills when making hiring and other workforce decisions. To reach a broader talent pool, an increasing number of employers are eliminating the college degree requirement in many of their job descriptions – relying, instead, on clear skills needed for the role. And to overcome bias in the workplace, business and HR leaders are moving to a competency-based approach to workforce manageme ..read more

Are you looking for the best talent management company for your organization? Don’t rule out the little guy. Here are six reasons a lesser-known talent management company may be the right fit for you. When leaders at small and mid-sized companies need new technologies – including talent management systems – they often have a long list of vendors, products, and solution sets to choose from. Market opinions can be nearly as varied, weighing in on features, point solutions versus platform technologies, price, customer service and so many other variables. Too often, decision makers are automatica ..read more

A viral TikTok #QuietQuit video sparked debates. What is quiet quitting? Why is it happening now? Here’s how to combat #QuietQuit at your workplace. In July 2022, when a TikTok video on “quiet quitting” went viral, the world noticed. It quickly racked up more than four million views from employees and employers around the world. Viewers’ comments include, “Love this. I realised [sic] years ago in corporate that going above and beyond doesn’t get you any further or happier.” And, “The only thing hard work gets you is more work.” As well as, “Sounds like establishing boundaries. Balance is ke ..read more

Remote workers are woven into the fabric of today’s workforces. It’s time to ensure that your talent management software works for remote workers, too. For many companies, remote workers are now woven into the fabric of the company’s workforce and operations. More than two years ago, a global COVID pandemic prompted a sudden mass exodus from traditional office spaces to home offices. Since then, employers, employees, and customers have adapted to the technologies and processes that support digital collaboration and customer service. Today, it’s time to optimize – including ensuring that you ..read more

Learning leaders are asking, “Which is the best learning tech stack?” Instead of starting with technology, we urge you to check your training needs first. There’s been a lot of talk lately about the proliferation and evolution of learning technologies. From content authoring tools and digital mentoring solutions to web conferencing and learning management, there’s no doubt that the learning technology market is vast and fragmented. And it’s no surprise that technology vendors are eager to create and sell learning platforms that tout the benefits of all-in-one solutions. The business and lea ..read more

What does the halo effect look like at work? Why is it problematic? How can competencies help you overcome the halo effect in the workplace? Successful, likable celebrities are seen as intelligent, kind, and funny, too. You see an attractive person and think, “he’s nice” or “she’s smart” – without ever meeting them. A teacher expects that a well-behaved student is also bright and motivated – before evaluating that student’s capabilities in those areas. These are all examples of the common “halo effect” phenomenon. Also referred to as the halo error, the halo effect is a type of cognitive bi ..read more

We all know that sales drive business growth. And that stronger sales individuals and teams can accelerate revenue growth. But great sales and business development individuals and teams don’t happen by accident. And it’s not simply a matter of hiring those with the best track record. Or those with the best sales skills. To develop a sales team that performs well today and into the future requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders across the organization. It benefits from a clear competency model with a framework to define, measure, and develop the skills and competencies across and be ..read more

For decades, colleges and universities have recognized the special challenges faced by first-generation students – those whose parents did not earn a college degree. There are programs that welcome those students to campus early, offer structured studying and academic support resources, and host social networking events for first-gen students. Much more recently, employers are starting to recognize the unique challenges faced by their first-generation professionals – and the benefits of providing a workplace where they can thrive. Who are the first-gen professionals? Why are employers tuning ..read more