Leading human resource consultancy, DBM Arabian Gulf commissioned research on Human Resource Trends in the Gulf to gain a clearer sense of the current and future challenges faced by the region’s HR community, and to gain greater understanding of topical issues.
The survey revealed the following key points:
· The development of talent is becoming more crucial for organisations to acquire or maintain a competitive edge;
· Companies which find and attract talent in a period of growth will have an advantage;
· Organisations must offer career development opportunities to retain talented employees;
· The region is becoming an employees’ market, with employees having the power of choice;
· Organisations must find a way to deal with the spiralling costs of living in the Gulf;
· The integration of nationals is a challenge which is more pressing in certain sectors, but will ultimately affect all companies.
Karen Oliver, managing director of DBM Arabian Gulf, explained, “While employees need to develop their career management skills, the survey highlights the importance of companies providing more systematic career development opportunities”.
Oliver continued, “The Arabian Gulf is a region in transition: its labour market and practices are changing fast. Managing career expectations will become a necessity to attract and retain talented employees, who are essential to enable organisations to compete successfully, especially when counteracting better opportunities elsewhere in the world.”
Of the 105 organisations polled across a number of industry sectors, almost 75% believe employer and employees share responsibility for the management of an individual’s career. Companies can provide the tools for advancement or risk losing employee loyalty. 64% of companies already use coaching to help employees develop professional skills and thus aid their career plans.
DBM <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Arabian Gulf HR Survey - Background
The research took place in the first half of 2006 across the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. 105 responses (the majority being from the UAE) were collected on the telephone or by mail from individuals responsible for the general or HR management of over 102,000 employees. 40% of the respondents were from regional organisations, the remainder were from multinational companies. Many of the region’s prestigious international and regional organisations took part in the research. The respondents represented key sectors of the economy.
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About DBM
DBM is a leading global human resource consultancy with offices in over 80 countries around the world, and has partnered with 70% of Fortune 500 companies. DBM annually guides more than 7,000 organisations and 250,000 individuals through key transitions caused by significant change events or by the dynamic ongoing employee changes which impact business daily.
DBM works with organisations to provide support in these times of transition:
· When joining an organisation – the transition from one company to another, experiencing the reality of new procedures and company culture.
· Within an organisation as roles change – the transition from one department to another, into a new role, moving location or even country.
· As career progress and performance rewarded with greater responsibility – transition into a specialist or senior role, from team player to department head and from general manager to regional director.
· During times of change when an organisation is faced with the harsh reality of having to let people go, DBM provides transition support for individuals leaving the company.
