In the modern competitive landscape, a company's greatest asset is its people, and the ability to strategically manage and develop that talent is paramount to success. This training course is meticulously designed to equip HR professionals and business leaders with the strategic skills and practical frameworks needed to master the art of talent review and the 9-Box Grid. By moving beyond traditional performance reviews, you will learn how to accurately assess employee potential, identify high-performing individuals, and create a robust succession plan. This program provides the essential blueprint for a new generation of leaders prepared to champion a more intentional and impactful approach to talent management and secure a lasting competitive advantage.

This comprehensive curriculum offers a practical deep dive into the entire talent review process, from building a clear assessment framework to facilitating powerful calibration sessions and communicating outcomes. You will learn to use data and objective criteria to populate the 9-Box Grid, ensuring fairness and consistency in your talent decisions. The course focuses on real-world case studies and hands-on exercises, helping you to build the skills necessary to influence leadership decisions and prove the ROI of your talent development initiatives. By the end of this program, you will not only be proficient in talent review and the 9-Box Grid but also be prepared to champion a data-driven and strategic approach to talent management.

Duration

10 days

Target Audience

• HR directors and managers
• Talent management specialists
• HR business partners
• Senior executives and C-suite leaders
• Organizational development specialists
• Learning and development (L&D) managers
• Performance management professionals
• Succession planning specialists
• People analytics specialists
• Anyone responsible for managing talent within an organization

Objectives

• Understand the strategic importance of talent review and the 9-Box Grid.
• Master a comprehensive framework for designing and implementing a talent review process.
• Develop objective criteria for assessing performance and potential.
• Facilitate effective and productive talent calibration sessions.
• Use the 9-Box Grid as a strategic tool for succession planning.
• Navigate challenges and biases in talent assessment and decision-making.
• Communicate talent review outcomes with transparency and empathy.
• Build a compelling business case for investing in a talent review process.
• Create a roadmap for championing a talent-centric culture within your organization.

Course Modules

Module 1: The Foundations of Talent Review

• The strategic link between talent management and business growth.
• Understanding the purpose of talent review beyond performance management.
• The evolution of talent assessment methodologies.
• The role of HR as a strategic facilitator of talent discussions.
• Case studies of organizations with successful talent review processes.

Module 2: The 9-Box Grid Explained

• Defining the 9-Box Grid and its core components.
• Understanding the difference between performance and potential.
• The common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid when using the grid.
• The strategic implications of each of the nine boxes.
• Using the 9-Box Grid as a conversation tool for leaders.

Module 3: Designing Your Assessment Framework

• Developing objective and measurable performance criteria.
• Identifying the key indicators of employee potential.
• The importance of a clear and consistent assessment scale.
• Aligning your assessment with organizational values and competencies.
• Building a framework that is fair, transparent, and defensible.

Module 4: Data Collection and Preparation

• The data needed for an effective talent review.
• Using HRIS and other data sources for talent insights.
• The importance of an integrated data strategy.
• Preparing talent data for calibration sessions.
• Best practices for data governance and security.

Module 5: The Talent Calibration Session

• A step-by-step framework for facilitating a talent calibration meeting.
• The role of the facilitator in managing the conversation and mitigating bias.
• Strategies for ensuring a consistent and fair calibration.
• Best practices for documenting and capturing insights.
• The importance of creating a safe and trusting environment.

Module 6: Bias and Fairness in Talent Decisions

• Understanding cognitive biases that impact talent assessment.
• The link between bias and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
• Strategies for actively mitigating bias in talent reviews.
• The importance of a multi-rater feedback system.
• Training leaders to recognize and address their own biases.

Module 7: The Leadership Pipeline

• The strategic importance of a robust leadership pipeline.
• Using the 9-Box Grid to identify high-potential employees.
• Developing a talent pool for critical roles and key positions.
• The importance of a clear and transparent career path.
• Building a program for high-potential talent development.

Module 8: Succession Planning

• A framework for linking talent review to succession planning.
• The difference between a replacement plan and a succession plan.
• Identifying and developing successors for critical roles.
• Communicating succession plans with a focus on development.
• The role of HR in ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

Module 9: Action Planning and Development

• Using talent review outcomes to create individual development plans.
• The importance of a clear and actionable development strategy.
• The link between learning and development and talent readiness.
• Providing coaching, mentorship, and stretch assignments.
• Best practices for following up on development commitments.

Module 10: Communicating Outcomes

• The importance of a transparent and empathetic communication strategy.
• Training managers on how to have difficult talent conversations.
• Communicating development opportunities to employees.
• The role of HR in managing employee expectations and career aspirations.
• The link between communication and employee engagement.

Module 11: The Role of People Analytics

• Using people analytics to validate talent decisions.
• The link between talent review data and business outcomes.
• Measuring the effectiveness and ROI of your talent review process.
• Using data to identify skills gaps and talent shortages.
• The importance of a data-driven approach to talent strategy.

Module 12: Advanced 9-Box Applications

• Using the 9-Box Grid for team and organizational analysis.
• The role of the 9-Box in performance improvement planning.
• Integrating the 9-Box into a total rewards strategy.
• Using the 9-Box Grid to manage an inclusive talent pipeline.
• Best practices for a continuous talent review process.

Module 13: Crisis and Change Management

• Navigating talent reviews during periods of organizational change.
• Using the 9-Box Grid to inform restructuring and reorganization.
• The importance of maintaining a talent focus during a crisis.
• Strategies for managing leadership uncertainty.
• The role of HR in ensuring a fair and equitable process.

Module 14: Technology and Tools

• An overview of the technology and software for talent management.
• Choosing the right platform to support your talent review process.
• The importance of a user-friendly and intuitive interface.
• Integrating your talent management system with your HRIS.
• Best practices for managing technology implementation and adoption.

Module 15: The Future of Talent Review

• Emerging trends in AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics.
• The skills needed to be a successful talent management practitioner.
• Building a sustainable and scalable talent review process.
• The role of talent review in driving organizational culture.
• A personal action plan for championing talent review in your role.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.