Censeo works with clients to develop and implement best practice selection and development systems. They are “best practices” in the sense that they are designed to drive specific outcomes, and they include the best tools, the best processes, and the best implementation so the systems are sustainable over time.

The Business Need
While almost all companies recognize the enormous financial returns in selecting the right people for open positions, and then developing their capabilities on an ongoing basis, they often approach selection and development systems in an unscientific, haphazard manner. They are vague about the outcomes these systems should produce, fail to measure how well they are actually working, and don’t enforce consistent utilization of the systems across the organization.

Without valid data on how well systems are operating, people responsible for the systems are left guessing about what, if anything, they should do to improve them. Furthermore, the system owners are inundated with vendors trying to sell “magic bullet” tools which purport to solve all their problems.

The Solution
Censeo helps clients deal with these issues by using a sound, data-based methodology for examining existing selection and development systems, and identifying ways they can be improved. The process varies depending on client needs, but these are the typical steps:

1. Clarify the specific outcomes desired and how to measure the degree to which they are being achieved.
2. Identify the key competencies the selection or development system will measure.
3. Examine the current system and identify strengths and weaknesses.
4. Benchmark best practices elsewhere in the company, in other companies, and from Censeo’s experience and database.
5. Source or develop the best tools and processes, and conduct due diligence.
6. Pull everything together into a logical process flow, and pilot test (or at least “reality test”) with key stakeholders.
7. Implement the system, including good communications and training.
8. Re-examine the new system after 12-18 months and refine as necessary.

Key Benefits

• Valid systems that will withstand legal scrutiny if challenged.
• Systems that are effective (achieve outcomes), efficient (easy, fast), and value added (benefits greatly exceed costs).
• Build on the good practices already in place rather than starting from scratch.
• State of the art selection and development tools based on thorough due diligence.
• Good communications and training to ensure the systems are consistently used.