Ikigai (ee-key-guy) is a small word with a profound meaning.

Translated from Japanese, ikigai means “reason to live.”

Our Approach to Talent Management

Our approach to Talent Management is built around the Japanese concept is Ikigai. This places the emphasis on the individual and how to achieve a full life at work and a satisfying career. Our approach has adapted the core ikigai principles into practical steps and actions that leaders, managers and organisations can take in order to help manage all their talent in the best possible way.

Our approach focuses on solving talent problems and helping clients find solutions that work. The model requires leaders, managers and key stakeholders to be able to hold 6 essential talent conversations on the following topics:

  1. Passionate about work and alignment to work where an individual will thrive and be motivated to do their best

  2. Excelling at work via excellent skills, knowledge and behaviours, focusing on good to great principles

  3. Building a fantastic reputation (both internally and externally) at work for their work and contributions

  4. Financial and reward discussions that are meaningful and work for everyone

  5. Cultural fit around values and a feeling of belonging

  6. Performance Delivery and Achievement of Results that please the organisations leaders, customers and suppliers.

More About the Six Essential Talent Conversations

  • Talented people love what they do. They get up in the morning with energy and enthusiasm to do the work they love and enjoy. Work is not a chore.

  • Talented people have the best knowledge, skills and abilities to deliver great work. They are up to date on current trends and approaches in their field of expertise and continuously learn to ensure they do not get left behind. They are not average at what they do, they excel in their role by being great at it.

  • Talented people are visible internally and externally. Colleagues demand their input or advice. Customers ask for them again and again. They receive regular praise and recognition for their contributions. Their absence is noticed very quickly. They always visibly contribute to meetings and projects they get involved in.

  • Talented people are rewarded for their work in a way that is meaningful and makes sense to them. They feel well rewarded both financially and emotionally. Their employment rewards them fairly for their talent.

  • Talented people are aligned to the values of the organisation. They feel comfortable working in the environment they operate in and are committed to delivering the goals and mission of the organisation they work for. The people around them add positively to their life and love working in the culture of the organisation.

  • Talented people have a track record of delivery and achieving goals and results. They deliver what is asked for. They work hard to satisfy customers and colleagues needs. They don’t let people down.

A lighter touch approach when needed

Having listened to our clients, we know that occasionally a client just wants something quick and easy to use. For these clients, we adopt a simpler approach and just focus on 3 elements that help solve talent problems:

  • Their skills, knowledge and behaviour to do the work well

  • Their motivation to deliver required results and outcomes

  • Their attitude towards work, colleagues, customers and suppliers

So we can scale back our core solutions to this simpler approach when needed.

How we work with our clients

We listen

We partner with our customers

We work collaboratively with clients. We listen to their problems, fears and concerns. We clarify goals and needs before undertaking any work. We agree clear goals and objectives, with measures of success. We take a long term view of business and seek to ensure we do work that will generate loyalty and repeat business on an on-going basis. We bill transparently and fairly. We put mistakes right if they happen. We flex our approach to fit on with clients needs and preferred ways of working. We use technology to help us work efficiently and effectively. We love our clients and seek to delight them in all the work we do.