A ‘walled garden of creativity’ or a cosy club for arty types with a safe detachment from the harsh realities of life? Deborah Valentine argues that the concept of the Hospital is a curious one – talent in isolation is probably not the best way to fuel its development.

In the second part of a series of workshops, Ali Gill of Getfeedback explains why skimping on a robust talent assessment for your organisation can be a false economy.

Promotion is not always a smooth process. It is widely accepted that it can take six months before the individual contributes any value to the organisation. Louise Axon, vice president, thought leadership, of the Forum Corporation explains how they worked with American Express to accelerate transition and make a significant impact on the company’s return on investment.

New Zealand is a country with low unemployment and high competition for talent. Identifying, developing and retaining high-performing employees is critical to business success. Last year, The Warehouse partnered with Sonar6 to revolutionise its approach to talent management. Jane Davis, talent manager at The Warehouse, explains how they are now starting to reap the benefits.

Managing mavericks is all about channelling their energy and ideas in the right direction. With a clear set of expectations along with the opportunity for creative freedom, every organisation needs them, says Widget Finn.

While many people leave Shakespeare behind with their schoolbooks, Richard Olivier is reintroducing business leaders to the lessons and stories found in some of his greatest plays. Sandra Higgison hears how he is bringing authenticity and sustainability to companies to ensure they meet their responsibilities to the planet as well as their shareholders.

Employee retention and turnover of professional staff is one of the key challenges that many organisations face in today’s competitive labour marketplace. These individuals, with their specialist skills and in-depth expertise, are highly sought after.