Blue chip companies snap up revolutionary career software

Companies which fail to recognise that traditional career paths no longer exist are seeing huge levels of absenteeism and employee turnover.

In a new world of work, where 63 per cent of employees are non-engaged and a further 19 per cent are positively non-engaged, UK companies are having to find creative ways of enhancing the careers of their staff.

Some of the nationís top blue-chip companies are investing in career guidance software Corporate Horizons which has proven results in boosting the skills, careers and motivation of a workforce. It has now been released in a format that can be customised and run on any companyís Local Area Network.

The programmeís creator, career expert Stuart Mitchell, is certain dissatisfaction in both an employeeís personal life and career impacts directly on an organisationís costs and performance.

He said: ìSome employees are attracted by external recruiters and head-hunters offering better careers with new employers, they begin to believe the grass is greener elsewhere.

ìSmart companies are the ones that offer their employees help with their careers and working lives. They realise that retaining talented employees maintains productivity and provides competitive advantage.î

The programme runs in a self-serve format. Employees access a series of self-assessment questionnaires on a range of core issues including work values, work-life balance, skills, job satisfaction, stress management and leadership potential.

A full computer analysis is then carried out. The resulting report includes goals and action plans that can optionally be sent by email to managers and human resource teams for appraisal ñ a process which also reduces managersí time with annual employee reviews.

Mr Mitchell said: ìThe information gained brings an organisation together by opening up communication and providing understanding between managers and employees ñ without this relationship, major problems both financially and performance-wise can, and do, occur within large organisations.

ìBy evaluating their data, employees realise their potential with a set of goals and a personal development plan - thereby improving their performance and managing their career.î

Stuart Mitchell & Company has also for the past three years trained-up career coaches within those businesses using Corporate Horizons.

Mitchell added: ìOur aim is to help people stay in their job. Every company has a duty of care and this takes out much of the timely and costly effort for its busy managers while looking after its workforce.î

The importance of what Corporate Horizons is achieving was recently echoed by Larry Hochman, change expert and UK pioneer of senior-level personnel mentoring.

He said: ìDeep undeniable trends are under way and are permanently changing the role of HR.

ìThe best companies in the world realise culture and values are their DNA. Thatís your job. Trust is the biggest issue. Like any relationship, the moment that disappears itís over. Companies must put methods in place to keep their employees.î

Companies to have taken steps to fulfil their ìduty of careî to employees across their international offices with Corporate Horizons include Lloyds TSB, Philips, Marks and Spencer, Motorola, Barnardoís, Standard Life and Church of England.

The cost of a single user version is 49 VAT.

For further information/interviews/photos or product examples please contact Louise Ford at Your Say Now Publicity on 01424 777111/07810 508843, e-mail: louise@yoursaynow.com, or Stuart Mitchell on 01483 423943.