The document outlines a proposed talent development framework for Alaska Air Group focused on aligning employee skills with organizational goals to enhance safety, culture, and customer satisfaction. Key components include establishing a guiding philosophy, identifying key positions for succession planning, and developing strategies for employee engagement and performance management. The framework emphasizes integrating HR functions with business strategies and involves continuous assessment of competencies and developmental needs to create a sustainable talent pipeline.

1. Developing a Talent Development Framework for Alaska Air Group Presenter: Gay Niven August 3, 2010

2. Hello! My name is Gay Niven A strong background in training and organizational development, including manufacturing, corporate and retail environments A believer in working through people to get results – I think people really are the differentiator for a successful business

3. Today’s Discussion A typical Talent Development Framework How it might look at Alaska Air Group An approach A sample project plan with communication I’m going to walk you through my thoughts …

4. What Are the Business Issues? AAG strategic goals must be met to maintain safety, a generative company culture, customer satisfaction, and profit Key points Increasing business complexity requires an adaptive skill set in employees and leaders Highly-engaged employees drive customer satisfaction, so maintaining engagement is critical Significant industry constrictions exist, both internally and externally Retention of best performers is key Providing bench depth for senior/key positions to create continuity and maintain the AAG brain trust

5. Typical Components of a Talent Development Framework Determination of a philosophy Identification of the people strategy Prioritization of processes Use of systems to deliver and measure Add the overlay: Culture High Potentials Metrics Identification of key positions Succession Planning requirements

6. Developing a Framework 2. Integrate the Components and Approach 1. Create a Talent Development Framework Philosophy 3. Deliver and Evaluate Cultural Considerations How things are done here? What is employee “owned”? What is manager “driven”? Competencies and Skills Considerations People who “Fit” High Potentials Key Positions

7. The Challenge “To have a competitive advantage, it’s not enough to assemble a group of great individuals; the individuals must function together in ways that deliver outstanding organizational performance.” Ed Lawler, Center for Effective Organizations University of Southern California

8. For Alaska Air Group, developing the framework requires a solid philosophy to guide decisions and a strategy to determine accountability, involvement and prioritization

9. Making the AAG Framework “Breathe” Alaska Spirit / Horizon Heart Orientation: Team and Trust Earning Acknowledging ‘duality’: the art of holding two distinct positions at the same time—balance Finding the “Fit” and where people “Shine”

10. The Philosophy Developed in conjunction with executive and senior leaders Key questions How does AAG look at Talent Development? What is the short/long term focus? How “deep” does talent need to be planned? Who will sponsor/own this? Any benchmarking companies to examine? What would a successful framework accomplish? Span of time?

11. Integration of a Strategy Integrate the evolving strategy with both HR and business strategic plans Key questions Who’s involved, at what level, and how much? How will we measure results and/or ROI What are the key positions, critical jobs, success factors? Inventory positions, identify gaps in competencies Conduct a needs assessment: data please! Who “owns” development? Role identification in each process? Create clear distinction between performance and development

12. Delivery and Evaluation Strategically use tools: Training evaluations: satisfaction surveys, assessing behavioral changes Assessment tools/360 tools: use of perception-based feedback to improve managerial/leader effectiveness Workforce planning metrics Talent inventories to identify interests and abilities Strategic talent planning processes Recruiting systems: assessing sourcing to success metrics Performance management system

13. Plan  Execute  Integrate Planning and Executing Talent Development Processes and Methodologies Integration with Existing HR Functionality and Other Systems

14. Planning and Executing Methodologies Based on the strategy, prioritize: Learning and development management : delivery, curriculum mapping, on-boarding, functional and competency driven behaviors/skills and formal/informal learning Performance management : goal alignment, coaching, performance-based incentives, career development, performance feedback, bench-strength assessment

15. Planning and Executing Methodologies cont. Management development : general requirements, targeted development, and developmental learning activities Competency Management : by position and/or job types to ensure consistency of strategy and message, curriculum mapping, behaviors Succession Planning and Management : Assessments, calibration, mobility

16. Planning and Executing Methodologies cont. Leadership Development : assessments and targeted development plans, training, developmental activities and integration into succession planning Departmental needs assessments and solutions : customized solutions for immediate impact Safety and compliance requirements

17. HR Functional Integration Coordination with other functions: Compensation Succession planning process Rewards and recognition programs Diversity and community involvement Talent acquisition/Recruiting Branding

18. Recommendations Look for the leverage points: target agreed-upon processes that can be tweaked, implemented or developed immediately for impact Annual Goal Setting How Things Get Communicated Problem Solving/ Decision Making Process Reward Systems AAG Company Culture: Shared Beliefs, Values and Practices Performance Measures

19. Recommendations cont. Collect and assess available data: strategic plans, understanding current formal / informal systems, leader expectations, collect talent data, review employee survey data Conduct leader interviews: HR, business leaders Collate feedback results to HR leaders: validate/change Feedback results to business leaders: validate

20. Create Cascaded Teams Executive Steering Committee Meet quarterly or semi-annually Provide strategic direction and insight Project Team Meet every 4-6 weeks Validate plan, direction and involvement Provide support, insight and access Work team HR integration team: cross functional

21. Starting Points Strengthen the relationship between manager and employee Do people know what it takes to be successful? Are skills or competencies more important? Do they have the resources to do what is expected?

22. Starting Points cont. Support employees driving their own development Are skills and competencies mapped to learning opportunities? Is there a career path obvious? Do managers know what to do? Can people “see” a destination?

23. Starting Points cont. Is learning understood to be more than training in this organization? Most learning is experiential—are learning plans incorporating and giving credit to work as well as attendance What is being measured? What can be measured? What is valued?

24. Your Turn Questions? Comments