Launch of the Talent Foundation

Citation

(2000), "Launch of the Talent Foundation", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 32 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2000.03732gab.002

Launch of the Talent Foundation

Launch of the Talent Foundation

Keywords Learning, Non-profit organizations

The Talent Foundation is a global, independent, not-for-profit organisation created to provide pragmatic and innovative answers for the development of talent in the world of work.

The Foundation was officially launched on 20 March 2000 and is funded by a broad spectrum of supporters, ranging from voluntary sector organisations like the RSA and the Campaign for Learning to major corporations including Spring and Andersen Consulting.

Dr Javier Bajer, a specialist in organisational learning, and Sir Christopher Ball, Chancellor of the University of Derby and patron of the National Campaign for Learning, will drive the Foundation's activities as chief executive and chairman respectively.

The Talent Foundation believes that the incredible potential – the talent – in people is not being developed enough in the world of work. This leaves organisations starved of the lifeblood of their creativity – and it leaves individuals feeling that they cannot make a difference at work.

One of the Talent Foundation's ground-breaking projects is the e-Talent Declaration, which has been signed by leaders of more than 20 organisations worldwide, including BT, British Airways, Andersen Consulting and National Police Training, to ensure that the latent talent within their organisations is developed to the benefit of both the individual and the business in the new digital economy.

The e-Talent Declaration stated that these organisations would give priority to investing in their own people in order to develop:

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  self-esteem, confidence, motivation, self-awareness and self-management;

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  effective collaboration, leadership, creativity, risk-taking and knowledge-sharing;

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  flexibility and adaptation through learning to learn, inspiring innovation and holistic thinking.

The initiative represents a recognition from these leading UK and global organisations that the current focus on technology skills development will not create success in the emerging economy. Instead, human skills such as flexibility, creativity and confidence are what are necessary for success in the twenty-first century.

The e-Talent Declaration represents both the realisation of the new requirements of the digital age and a commitment to take steps to change the way talent is utilised. The signatories, who are all thought-leaders in this area, will act as beacons to others to adopt the articles of the Declaration.

Sir Christopher Ball, Chairman of the Talent Foundation, said: "We are trying to fight twenty-first century battles with twentieth-century skills. I find it very worrying that 50 per cent of people do not feel that their talents are fully utilised and, as a consequence, are ready to change jobs. The e-Talent Declaration is an important step in changing this situation for the better."

"We believe that the e-Talent Declaration is only the first step and should be seen as a call to arms. We want individuals and organisations to use the Declaration as a catalyst and a driver for their own learning agendas", continued Dr Bajer, the Talent Foundation's chief executive.

Jonathan Slater, head of organisation design and development at BT, added: "We are transforming BT into a 'new wave' communications company. This means helping people to adapt to change and to learn the skills required for success in the 'new wave' world. The e-Talent Declaration reminds us that these skills not only are technological, but also are the human skills of collaboration, adaptability, leadership and communication. We are committed to developing people in these skills: they are essential for success."

Further details on the Talent Foundation and its work can be obtained from the Talent Foundation, 19 Buckingham Street, London WC2N 6EF. Tel: +44 20 7930 1111; Fax: +44 20 7930 1551; E-mail: Kinga Kowalewska, Projects Co-ordinator: kinga@talentfoundation.org Internet: http://www.talentfoundation.com