Master's students in business psychology are revolutionizing talent management in Jena!

Master's students in business psychology are revolutionizing talent management in Jena!

In the 2024/25 winter semester, two master's courses in business psychology will work closely with Stadtwerke Jena. This is done as part of nine practical projects led by Prof. Dr. Ina Kohl can be organized. The students deal intensively with central human resources issues and develop solutions that are essential for the company's future human resources strategy.

The tasks set by Nadine Horn, the human resources department manager, and Nancy Fischer-Kroll, the human resources development team leader, include the development of a comprehensive talent management approach. Another focus is on developing a development center for young managers. Optimizing the recruiting process, including a preboarding strategy, and developing a special training program for managers are also on the agenda.

Talent management in focus

Talent management plays a crucial role in attracting, promoting and retaining employees. Millennials and subsequent generations in particular have high expectations of their employers when it comes to development opportunities and appreciation. According to Easy LMS, talent management includes a continuous cycle that includes the identification, development and placement of talent. A distinction is made between talent management as an overarching strategy and talent development as the individual promotion of skills.

The fact that all development measures must be in line with Stadtwerke Jena's existing competency model is fundamental. This competency model was operationalized with behavioral anchors to ensure the harmonization of solution approaches. The final presentations and discussions at the end of the semester provide a platform to discuss the solutions developed and their practicability with guests from Jena.

Wanted: More partner companies

From a further perspective, Stadtwerke Jena and the participating courses are looking for other interested companies that have similar challenges in the areas of human resources and management. The start of the new cooperation cycle is scheduled for autumn 2025.

In order to meet the high demands on talent management, companies should develop clear objectives, systematically identify talent and propose individual development strategies. Modern technological tools should also be integrated into the processes in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Talent management software can play a central role here by optimizing onboarding and training processes.

Companies would be wise to foster a culture of development by sharing success stories and regularly measuring employee progress. This promotes long-term loyalty and a positive employer brand. The current projects of the master's students and the initiatives of Stadtwerke Jena are an example of how theory and practice can be brought together in a contemporary human resources strategy.

In summary, the cooperation between the university and Jena municipal utilities shows how important a strategic approach to talent management is. Connecting employees' skills and ambitions with company goals is paramount if you want to compete for the best talent.

Business School Berlin reports that specific human resources needs and challenges will be evaluated in the current semester. For more information about the importance of talent management, please visit Easy LMS.