The battle for talent is getting fiercer. In all sectors, but certainly in logistics. Logistics SMEs are not only struggling to attract talent, but also to retain it. Talent Innovation Pooling (TIP) should change this, by letting talents from SMEs spar with talents from other companies one day a week.
Wim Bens, National Programme Manager at KennisDC Logistiek, outlines the image problem the sector and SMEs are facing: "Transport and logistics do not have a sexy image and neither do SMEs. If they already find the talents, keeping them is a difficult task. After all, every day is not exciting in a logistics company with say 10 to 100 people. It is very hard work. Moreover, the talent often sits alone solving the world. He or she can hardly ever spar or collaborate with 'peers'."
Talent Innovation Pooling
To still find those talents, keep them interested and inspired, the KennisDC Logistiek developed Talent Innovation Pooling in 2016: the talent is 'loaned' one day a week to a neutral location, where he or she works with other talents from SMEs on issues of the participating companies. "Imagine you employ Pete. He takes his briefcase of problems at the end of the day on Tuesday, goes to work on them together in the Talent Pool on Wednesday and comes back on Thursday with the answer. In fact, he comes back with five more answers, of problems he hadn't gotten around to yet."
Employers are reluctant
Bens explains that entrepreneurs are not initially keen on such a construction. Surely the employee is far too busy to stay away one day a week? And, what will he or she share with the competitor? "But with that attitude, you can forget it. Then soon you won't have a Pete. After all, he won't find it fun enough with you, not sexy enough, you don't pay enough and he won't meet peers there. That last one matters most. Pete wants to achieve groundbreaking, big things together."
"If you are frugal on Pete, you should allow him to do this," Bens continues. "You can offer him a hundred euros more in salary, but that is not a long-term solution. If he gets the chance to develop and meet peers at your place on Wednesdays, he is less likely to go elsewhere. After all, there Pete is no longer allowed to go to the 'playground'. Besides, you don't need to send these talents to a course. They get caught up and learn from each other."
Construction with students
To win over SMEs, a construction was devised with the Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen (HAN). "We asked entrepreneurs: 'What would you think about the HAN providing you with a second Pete? An intern or graduate who comes to work for a while for an internship fee?'" The student is supervised within the company by the talented Pietje. He works four days a week and returns to the college one day a week to exchange with all the other students what is going on at the companies. A Talent Innovation Pool, but for students. "Then those students discover that they are working on the same issues. They love that. After such a day, the student also takes the input of ten other students back to your company."
Solving issues together
Talents (the students' supervisors) are also invited to organise their 'TIP' days here. They will not only interact with each other, but also with the participating students. "The idea is that students and supervisors from all kinds of companies creep closer and closer together to solve issues together. In addition, speakers and researchers may sometimes be invited to continue to inspire both students and talents."
Nationwide on the move
Six pools have now been started in the KennisDC Gelderland, and other KennisDC regions are also getting in on the act. Entrepreneurs who have been introduced to TIP once are usually convinced afterwards, Bens argues. "At the start, they often do not understand it, fear of competition prevails, and only reluctantly join in. Moreover, many SME entrepreneurs are still "unconsciously incompetent", they sometimes don't know what they don't know. But once engaged in the pool, they do realise that this is a mechanism to keep developing, engaging and binding talent!"
At ICT & Logistiek, Wim Bens gives a seminar on Talent Innovation Pooling. For entrepreneurs, colleges and policymakers alike, he will explain the concept, discuss lessons learned and TIP's future plans. Register for this seminar here. More information on ICT & Logistics can be found on the website.
