Valuing Experience

Identifying what you want to achieve

Both international research and New Zealand experience clearly indicate that programmes that are explicitly linked to organisational objectives or needs are much more likely to be fully implemented and sustained. They have to help the organisation in some way.

You may find it useful to consider the list of what other companies were trying to achieve that was discussed in the previous section. Which of these goals are most applicable to your company? Which are most likely to get the support of leaders in your organisation? Which are most likely to encourage sustained action?

What do you want to achieve?
• Cope with skill shortages
• Retain skills and knowledge
• Manage succession
• Encourage full contribution
• Prevent physical or emotional burnout
• Understand and meet the needs of customers
• Strengthen and stabilise teams and workforce
• Ensure continuity and sustained results
• Maintain key relationships
• Maintain credibility.

These are discussed in more detail in Part A.

In some cases this will be about minimising risks for your organisation; in others, about maximising opportunities. Objectives related to minimising risks are often good for getting things started. Maximising opportunities is often about taking things further.