Question

From an HRM perspective when considering an HR Talent Management strategy at a supervisory level, would the desired talent of a supervisory within a manufacturing business differ from the desired talent of a supervisory within a retail business?

Answer 1

Yes, the desired talent of a supervisory within a manufacturing business would differ from the desired talent of a supervisory within a retail business.

As both the business set ups are different, so the desired talents of supervisors in both the set ups are different.

Required talents of supervisors within a manufacturing business :

1. Attention to Detail: One of the desired talent for the supervisor within a manufacturing business is attention to detail. In a manufacturing industry, the supervisors need to be more focused and detail-oriented as they have to work with heavy machinery. A lack of attention can call for danger for the supervisors and the workers.

2. Critical Thinking: The supervisors in the manufacturing set up should be able to think critically. They must be able to solve problems on their own.

3. Interest and Talent for Technology: The HR professionals like to hire those as supervisors who have an interest and talent for technology. Manufacturing workplace is completely dependent on technology, it is constantly moving and bringing changes to the workplace. So a supervisor must have an interest and desire to learn it.

4. Effective Planning: The manufacturing supervisor should have the ability to constantly plan ahead, it is the supervisor who motivates the team members to deliver the finished products on time. In addition to planning the future project, the talented supervisor should also devote some time to share knowledge with the new and existing workers to enable them to successfully perform their task.

5. Confidence decision making : The supervisor in a manufacturing unit need to be more confident in decision making. The best supervisors are those who take decisions confidently in pressurized situations and ensure that the said deadlines are met.

Talent of a supervisory within a retail business :

1. Time management: A supervisor in retail industry must know how to manage time, when to solve a problem, when to put something back and when to delegate. He must say no to unreasonable demands.

2. Must know how to lead : The supervisors at retail industry must know how to lead the group by encouraging and empowering the staffs. He must maintain an environment that values sharing information among different levels of employees.

3. Ability to handle staffs during pressure: An effective supervisor is one who can trust staff to work in difficult times. He must secure resources so that people can work well, also motivate the team to work together and support each other even at rush hours.

4. Adoption of Change: The retail supervisors must be able to adopt change quickly. The basic role of retail manager is to manage change by anticipating change, bringing innovations, solving group problems and reducing resistance to change.