Nurturing talent

The global talent search firm Heidrick & Struggles reckons that "a strategic approach is required to ensure the Middle East develops, attracts and retains the best people to maintain progress". It predicts that Saudi Arabia will rank ninth in 2012 for the quality of its universities and business schools, and that the Kingdom's high disposable income is helping it to attract talent. Heidrick's managing partner Ayman Haddad, said:

"This study provides organisations with an accurate view of where talent is located, now and in five years' time, to help them make better decisions about their human capital requirements. It is not the size of the potential talent pool that matters but how it is nurtured. [...] With its young and rapidly growing workforce, this is an important lesson for the Middle East."

Heidrick Struggles has just set up a formal office in Dubai to help connect the most talented people with the leading organisations in the region.

What a great idea, wish I'd thought of that!