US healthcare firms prioritise succession plans

Succession planning has been identified as one of the main priorities in the next financial year for US healthcare corporations.

According to the research provider Aberdeen Group, organisations working in the North American country's medical industry have highlighted performance management, employee engagement and succession planning as primary strategies for management.

The group's study, which surveyed 150 companies between September and October 2009, also revealed that the primary reasons for this emphasis on staff retention and development is the lack of qualified candidates currently occupying the recruitment market.

Jayson Saba, senior research associate at Aberdeen Group's human capital management practice, explained that talent management is essential for businesses operating in this industry.

He said: "Healthcare organisations must focus on developing and retaining their existing workforce while building frameworks for recruitment in growth periods."

Internal succession planning was also promoted in September by the executive educator Marshall Goldsmith, who suggested that existing candidates can still bring fresh perspectives.