Internally focused, in search of a break in the grey

November, at least in certain climates, has always possessed a certain sense of inevitability: the weather may vary, along with the morale, but there is no doubt we are moving away from one season to pass through another. This year, the business world is ahead of the calendar, fully up against forces that seem as resilient as they do unpredictable.

In the midst of this global downturn, organizations may have to focus on the “here and now” with renewed vigor, especially when it comes to talent. Yet even in the intensity, fresh thinking is possible with the help of new tools – some from the outside, others right there for the taking.

We look forward to working with member organizations locally to make this time less about getting through it and more about working with it.

Best wishes,
The Catalyst Europe AG Team

Catalyst report tackles complexity of European talent management

On 10 November, the long-awaited third study of Catalyst’s series on global talent management was released. Leaders in a Global Economy: Talent Management in European Cultures, by Catalyst and Families and Work Institute, reports on the attitudes and mindset of over 4500 senior and pipeline/future business leaders in three European cultural regions. Apart from a wealth of unexpected findings – for example, that nearly half of European business leaders are uncertain about staying with their companies over the next five years, and that the degree of uncertainty varies per region – Talent Management in European Cultures offers recommendations for focused talent management practices that can reduce barriers for men and women leaders across culture and organizational level. Please see below for information on study-related Catalyst Europe convening events.

Catalyst Europe symposium on future workplace sparks dialogue

On 15 October, the second Catalyst Europe AG Regional Symposium, presented with partnering organization Opportunity Now and hosted by BP p.l.c., took place in London. The sold-out event gathered over 70 professionals to explore how global trends – ranging from the rise of the multi-generational office to the onset of disengagement – are reshaping the workplace. Building on the well-received format of the first Catalyst Europe symposium (click here for coverage), the day included thought-provoking exercises, a panel discussion, and a robust Q&A with Catalyst Europe General Manager Eleanor Tabi Haller-Jorden and Opportunity Now Director Sarah Williams-Gardener. For more information on the third event in the series, which will also combine up-to-date learning and practical tools, please see below.

Catalyst publishes report on financial services sector

Catalyst Europe presents new thinking on work-life effectiveness

C-cubed readership continues to climb

Catalyst Corporate Sponsorship: Regional research activation

On the heels of the release of Leaders in a Global Economy: Talent Management in European Cultures, Catalyst Europe will begin rolling out a series of events to focus on the report’s findings in context. Stay tuned for details on the webinar, with study co-author and Catalyst Vice President of Research Nancy M. Carter Ph.D., which will take place in early 2009. Please contact us if you are interested in sponsoring an internal workshop, roundtable, or any other event that builds on this new Catalyst research to tackle the most pressing talent management issues in your region.

Catalyst Europe “Live Thinking” Series: Women’s networks (Zurich)

“Core Catalyst” Series: The Catalyst Award application process (London)

Catalyst Corporate Sponsorship: New Gender Stereotypes Toolkit

Call for input: Practices-in-Motion

Catalyst membership: Regional insight for Europe-based organizations

Catalyst Europe is delighted to welcome Spain’s Telefonica and BBVA to the growing list of Europe-based member organizations. For more information on how Catalyst membership offers global coverage that is culturally relevant, feel free to contact us.

On resources and resourcefulness: Using data for organizational planning

Corporations have long recognized the value of statistics in finance, sales and marketing – yet increasingly, companies are starting to apply statistical analysis to human resources planning and management. Existing personnel data can in fact be a valuable asset to understanding the organization’s internal demographics. The translation of Human Resource Information System data – from a storage-and-retrieval system to an interpretive, decision-making tool on talent management- and development-related issues – can be a step towards maximizing the company’s return on investment in gathering data. Given the size and complexity of many global companies, a one-shot profile of the talent pool may not be as meaningful as a long-term comparative assessment. And in a particularly volatile business climate, the capacity to “recycle” statistics for strategic planning efforts is a welcome one indeed.

Double-Take – On the different faces of the future

The new Leaders in a Global Economy: Talent Management in European Cultures report by Catalyst and Families and Work Institute cited that women and men leaders in the Anglo region were most at risk of leaving their current employers within five years. Women and men leaders in Germanic Europe, however, were less likely to do so. As for the future plans of those men and women leaders who intend to leave, there was little evidence that women were more likely than men to leave large multinationals for smaller ones or start their own businesses.