Does your workforce have hidden talents - ones that you can use to help build your business?
According to a survey by e-learning provider Learndirect Business, two-thirds of employees think that their employers are missing a trick, ignoring talents which could be used in their companies.
At this point, you’re probably nodding your head in agreement: almost every company I have ever worked in has found out about additional skills that people have by accident, rather than design. Once the job description is done and the right person to fit that role found, there’s often very little attempt to find out about the skills they have.
So what can you do to find these hidden gems? The first thing is simple: just ask. 82% of those questioned in the survey said their employers had simply never asked about any additional skills. And with email, asking has never been easier.
The second thing you can do is encourage employees to talk about what they know, to share knowledge they have. Again, this can be organised quickly and easily via email, forums, or other online resources.
But whatever you do - don’t just sit there waiting for employees to tell you, unprompted. You’re likely to be waiting a long time.
For more on people management, see our page on "Employing people".