Human resource expert Hilda Kabushenga, CEO of The African Talent Company, has emphasized the importance of talent management in addressing the growing trend of Nigerian professionals migrating abroad in search of better opportunities.
The phenomenon, known as the ‘japa syndrome’, has raised concerns among organizations that have seen a loss of skilled personnel.
During her presentation on “Finding skilled labor in the japa era” at Ecobank Nigeria’s MySME Growth Series, Kabushenga highlighted the shift towards prioritizing “psychological contracts of experience” over traditional employment contracts.
The MySME Growth Series, a training program by Ecobank Nigeria aimed at empowering SME operators, seeks to train over one million SME operators by 2024.
Kabushenga stressed the need for employers to adapt to the changing landscape of work in order to retain their employees.
She recommended that organizations focus on staff retention from the recruitment stage by creating candidate pipelines for key departments and discussing long-term career plans during interviews.
The HR expert suggested hiring an ‘heir and a spare’ to shadow critical talent and emphasized the importance of maintaining engagement between the job offer and the start date.
She also advised implementing onboarding processes that align employees with the company’s vision and provide clear paths for growth and development.
Furthermore, Kabushenga urged organizations to introduce better reward systems, such as profit sharing and milestone bonuses, to attract and retain employees.
She called for the adoption of flexible work arrangements, fostering a sense of belonging, promoting open communication, and building connections between leadership and the workforce.
To effectively manage strategic staff, Kabushenga recommended that firms focus on internal talent development, tailor learning and development initiatives, establish robust succession planning systems, be open to negotiations, and maintain strong relationships with employees.
By following these strategies, Kabushenga believes organizations can successfully navigate the challenges of the “japa era” and ensure the retention and growth of their key staff members.
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