Disciples & Gurus

Kauffman Foundation Report Highlights Effective Workforce Practices

The Kauffman Foundation’s recent study of workforce development practices of top Indian firms surprises. On the one hand, it offers descriptions of well-documented effective practices in recruiting, training, talent management, and so on. Ink (keystrokes) devoted to these practices fill volumes in American business texts, journals, magazines, and websites, and have long informed workforce programs across the US.

Ho-hum.

You’ll have to keep reading to get to the good stuff: case studies of 24 firms (many American, which turns out to be the point). Most of the firms profiled do not manifest one or two effective practices, but many. It is evident that the people agenda is a key strategic priority for them. The research team also documented multi-firm and industry-based collaboration on education, skills and talent – on a massive scale.

US Has Much to Learn from India about Workforce Development

The key insight is this: “Taken individually…certain practices may seem commonplace or conventional. Seen as part of a more integrated system, they become more than the sum of their parts and are able to realize significant advantages for the performance of their organizations.”

The report concludes: “The US can learn and incorporate…lessons from India as it rethinks how to train and develop its workforce to maintain its global competitive advantage.”

While we could quibble with who exactly we need to take action so “the US” can learn, the data (and insights) presented here deserve attention.

For more information about the research & team: www.GlobalizationResearch.com.

I’ve added a video of Vivek Wadhwa, the lead author, we (CSW) produced at an event last December. It’s not specifically focused on the Kauffman report, but it does address workforce issues.

Vivek Wadhwa on Skills and Worker Shortages
December 2007