In a fast-paced, disruptive and continually evolving business environment, it’s essential that companies remain flexible..
Business leadership brings with it a host of personal as well as..
Networking is regularly cited as one of the most powerful tools for..
In the new episode of “Maestros in the Making“, I sit down with Kumaran Nadesan, Chief Executive Officer, 369Konnect, to reflect on our journey together through community building and now in business and how our values and work align at 369 Global Inc.
In this month’s episode 3, Dasha and I talk about what’s happening in the world today and how we deal with these complex events when they literally show up at our doorstep.
With Dasha’s parents having escaped from Ukraine earlier this month and now living with us in Canada and Dasha being of mixed Ukrainian and Russian heritage, it has led to a range of emotions over the past few days as we reflect on what is happening, how we hold our extended families together through these traumatic times, and how we take care of ourselves too.
In this month’s episode, Dasha and I talk all things money!
With ageing populations, the leading global economies need to find ways to increase the percentage of young talent in their national workforce. Canada is no exception. However, where we do differ from a number of our partners and competitors is that a strategic decision has been taken to attract talented newcomers to the country to help build the sustainable economy of the future.
As a growing country built on immigration this makes sense, but it’s important to remember that the supply of talented, ambitious newcomers won’t be limitless. As well as competing with other nations to provide a suitable home for people to build exciting careers and lives, employers within Canada will be competing with each other to attract and retain the very best candidates.
As the competition for talent intensifies, it is essential for employers to adopt proactive strategies to build a robust talent pipeline.
Key Strategies for Employers
Developing a talent pipeline of skilled immigrants requires a proactive and inclusive approach from employers in Canada.
What are some of the key strategies they can implement to attract and retain that talent?
Targeted Recruitment Initiatives
Taking part in recruitment initiatives targeting new immigrants, either in Canada or their home country, can help you broaden the talent pool from which you’re recruiting. Building strong relationships with educational and training institutions, professional associations and cultural groups can take this a step further. Being an outward-looking organization that builds links and fosters relationships can help employers identify and recruit top talent.
Create a Diverse & Inclusive Workplace Culture
Your workplace should be a place where different perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed, celebrated and leveraged for the benefit of the company overall. Understanding the benefits that a diverse workforce can bring, not least in terms of developing a global mindset and leveraging global connections creates a dynamic, outward-looking company culture. This commitment not only helps immigrant employees feel valued and supported, but it can also be attractive to people considering a move to Canada.
Provide Settlement Support
While many companies pay lip service to assist with settlement in the country, few go the extra mile for their new employees. Providing information and resources in a range of vital areas such as housing, healthcare, language and professional development can all ease the transition for newcomers. By providing meaningful support for new immigrants, you increase retention rates among existing staff and become more attractive to new applicants.
Offer Opportunities for Career Development & Advancement
Ambitious, talented immigrants value opportunities for career advancement. One of the key pull factors for immigrants is evidence that they’re likely to be able to build a more successful and prosperous life in their destination country.
Employers should establish clear career paths, providing training and development opportunities to allow skilled immigrants to enhance their skills. Mentoring programs that give employees the opportunities to work closely with experienced professionals can be invaluable for career progression. Identifying future leaders will ensure you have the talent pipeline to take your company forward.
Stay tuned through our socials and website for the latest information, podcasts, more blogs and upcoming events.
At a time of rapid change and uncertainty, having a leadership team that’s flexible enough to respond is crucial. Visionary leaders will be a key part of a successful leadership team, mapping out a shared vision and providing the motivation to achieve it.
Visionary leadership is a key element of organizational growth as it sets the foundation for innovation, inspires a shared purpose, and drives strategic direction. A visionary leader’s ability to articulate a compelling vision and communicate it effectively creates a sense of clarity and direction among employees.
This clarity of purpose inspires individuals to think creatively, take risks, and seek out new growth opportunities. They are key to not only inspiring a workforce but also attracting investors and building partnerships.
What exactly is a visionary leader and what sets them apart?
What is a visionary leader?
Not all successful leaders are visionary leaders. The latter possess some crucial qualities that differentiate them from the rest. They not only know how to manage effectively for current industry and market conditions, but they also can predict and anticipate developments that could be transformative.
Visionary leaders are often to be found at the helm of disruptive companies that challenge the accepted way of doing things. They may be the people who turn around a struggling legacy brand, or who manage an internal reorganization to ensure a company is fit for the future.
What defines a visionary leader?
Visionary leaders are individuals and will each have their strengths and abilities that mark them out, but they all share some key characteristics that set them apart:
Identify & Anticipate Trends
Industry changes and market development can present real challenges for businesses as well as opportunities. Visionary leaders can identify these trends, anticipate how they may develop and then respond.
Strategic Thinking
Strategy is key to visionary leadership. Visionary leaders will develop strategies to manage and capitalize on emerging trends and opportunities. Crucially, they are also flexible enough to adapt those strategies to changing circumstances if required.
Visionary Thinking
Visionary leaders can develop a well-defined and aspirational vision of what they want to achieve. They can articulate this vision in a way that inspires and motivates others, creating a sense of purpose.
The Ability to Inspire
Visionary leaders are compelling leaders with the presence and ability to captivate and engage others. They inspire enthusiasm through their personal conviction and example, helping others to invest their time and energy in a shared vision. To achieve this, visionary leaders will have strong communication skills and a firm understanding of workplace psychology.
Resilience
Visionary leaders are willing to put their heads above the parapet, investing their personal reputation and professional capital in their own vision. Inevitably, there will be setbacks and challenges along the way and when they do arise, resilience is required to remain focused on the overall goal.
Visionary leadership can take organizations to the next level, expanding the scope of what can be achieved.
Stay tuned through our socials and website for the latest information, podcasts, more blogs and upcoming events.
A strong network can help you find new job opportunities, connect with potential clients or partners, and access valuable resources and information. In fact, effective networking is essential for career success. It can be an avenue for new ideas and approaches, a way to foster supportive long-term relationships, build mutual trust, and grow in self-confidence.
Networking can open doors, making it a powerful tool for career growth, and providing motivated individuals with the resources, connections, and support they need to achieve their goals.
While the advantages of networking are clear, building a network can be challenging. What practical strategies can you use to expand your network and increase your opportunities?
Always Be Authentic
Before you begin, it’s important to remember that building a strong network is not just about collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections, but about building real, meaningful relationships with others in your field. Be honest, genuine, open and authentic in your interactions and focus on building long-term connections based on mutual respect.
Networking Events
Attending networking events such as industry conferences and trade shows is a great way to meet new people and make connections in your field. Look for events that are relevant to your industry and find opportunities to introduce yourself to other attendees in a natural way.
Join Professional Associations
Joining a professional association in your sector is a great way to connect with others in your field and stay up to date on industry news and trends. Many professional associations also offer networking events and other opportunities to connect with other members.
Make Use of Social Media
Social media can be a powerful tool for building and maintaining professional connections. Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter can be particularly useful for connecting with others in your industry and sharing your insights and expertise. However, it’s important to use it in a strategic and focused way, making connections, finding out about opportunities and building relationships.
Volunteering
Volunteering for a cause or organization that is important to you is not only a great way to give back, but it can also be a good way to make connections and build your network. Look for volunteer opportunities that are relevant to your field and interests, and that help you to build connections and develop your skills.
Coffee Chats
Reach out to professionals in your field and ask if they would be willing to meet with you for a brief conversation. Many senior professionals will be pleased to talk to ambitious people, share something of their knowledge and insight, and point you in the right direction. It can be a great way to learn more about a particular industry or company as well as to make new connections.
Remember to Follow Up
Building a strong network is not just about making new connections, but also about maintaining and nurturing existing ones. Make a point of following up with new connections after you meet them, whether it’s through email, social media, or a quick phone call.
Networking advice for newcomers
If you’re a newcomer to Canada then networking can seem very daunting. It’s worth checking in with settlement agencies, many of which offer mentoring and coaching partnerships as well as programs especially developed for newcomers.
Stay tuned through our socials and website for the latest information, podcasts, more blogs and upcoming events.
