A global approach to talent management

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an insight into global talent management, including some of the common stumbling blocks and tools for assessing global talent. Design, methodology, approach – The paper explains the importance of global talent management and includes case‐study examples of how international organizations Philips and Quintiles have approached aspects of their global talent‐management strategy. Findings – The paper argues that behavioral assessment is a key tool in enabling an organization to take a long‐term, strategic approach to its global leadership pipeline, objectively evaluating junior leaders, middle management and senior leadership and developing a talent pool and subsequent development program that will provide a continuous pipeline of future global leaders. Practical implications – The paper takes a strategic approach to talent management and suggests which tools and approaches are useful in developing global talent strategy. Social implications – The highlights the fact that organizations are looking for the benefits of economies of scale and of adopting a more unified approach to their systems and processes across the globe, yet they are also mindful of regional differences that must be overcome if a global talent‐management program is to work. Originality/value – The paper demonstrates that, in an increasingly competitive global marketplace, the importance of an effective talent‐management strategy cannot be underestimated.