December 2019CIOAPPLICATIONS.COM8In My Viewromoting diversity is not only the right thing to do; it also makes good business sense for many reasons. In today's digital age, a diverse workforce can certainly help companies compete for top talent in a global job market. Within IT organizations, multiple talents and perspectives are as important to daily operations as they are to supporting future growth, and they can spur innovation in the process. So, how can companies ensure they find and keep the right talent?Drivers for Talented TeamsTo successfully build talented teams, leaders must consider each individual's skillset, education, experience level, and function within the business as well as what other qualities they will contribute to a given project(s). At Aflac, we are undergoing a major transformation and investing heavily in technology to accomplish departmental and business-wide goals. We need talented individuals who understand how technology is evolving and who offer versatility in their experience and mindset for approaching and successfully accomplishing objectives.Within larger companies, IT teams support initiatives and people across many business functions and different departments. To succeed in the enterprise, IT organizations need advocates who understand technology from a business perspective and who can serve as ambassadors to other internal groups. Geotargeting Talent When it comes to attracting and retaining employees, it may seem that Aflac is at a disadvantage due to being 90 minutes from Atlanta in Southwest Georgia. Companies in a similar position certainly have to recognize that some people don't want to come to a smaller city. However, we remain committed to focusing on local talent who grew up in the South or are perhaps looking to make a return to their family and Southern roots. Alternatively, to appeal to those more accustomed to the big city, we opened an office in Atlanta to more effectively recruit IT talent from the growing tech talent center in the Southern U.S. This decision recognized the need to update traditional HR approaches to appeal to talented people who want to be IT architects and who can get jobs in any major city. While our solution may not be possible for all companies, it's critical for IT talent hunters to explore options, whether it's opening a small satellite office or being more flexible with remote working policies.WINNING THE TALENT WAR IN THE DIGITAL AGEJULIA DAVIS, CIO, AFLACP
< Page 7 | Page 9 >