By Alison Wynne, founder of Connecting for Talent
There’s nothing fancy about Connecting for Talent. Our goal is to connect the NHS with an active, senior and experienced talent pool across corporate areas to deliver interim roles, time-limited assignments, projects and reviews, with no need for a third party.
There are two things I’d like to reflect.
Firstly, we all get to a time in life when we either retire or simply want to work differently, with more flexibility, and still have so much to give that could continue to add value. Let’s put our arms around these people and make it easy for them to continue to do their good work where it is needed in our NHS organisations. In addition, our substantive executive colleagues on NHS boards, or their deputies, would do so much good by going out to other organisations for 1-2 week single issue reviews (long term financial model reviews, recruitment process reviews, for example).
Secondly, and very importantly, this is also about looking after each other. When board-level roles become challenging, and they do, it’s a lonely place to be and it’s then we need the support of peers; someone outside of the organisation we can talk to who understands. In addition, we may be new into post and want some support to help and challenge us in our thinking; both of those things are equally important.
So, I’ve decided to just get on with it. I have built a platform, a “dating” website for the NHS if you will, where those who have worked at executive or deputy executive level in the NHS, or who are currently substantive members of staff at that level, can upload their credentials to do interim roles, short term assignments or reviews and where NHS organisations can subscribe, view CVs and testimonials and post advertisements.
And then there’s the really exciting bit where we look after each other. We deserve that. So for those organisations who subscribe, their CEOs and executives will be part of a community of people who can access support when things are difficult or when they’re new in post and need someone’s ear and wisdom.
I hope that’s clear enough.
GETTING INVOLVED...
If you’re in, and I really hope you are, this is what we need from you right now to make this work:
Talent
If you’ve operated at executive or deputy executive level in the NHS, are now self-employed and want to undertake short term pieces of work, log onto the site and upload your details.
If you’re currently a substantive executive or deputy executive in the NHS, also log onto the site and upload your details. Make sure you check it off with your CEO first of course. For substantive, you’d maybe expect a week or two out of your organisation a year.
Let’s get started on creating our own community. Once we have enough Talent signed up, our NHS organisations, who have already chosen to become part of our community, will start advertising assignments or reviews and new ones will join.
And remember, if your organisation has signed up to support the development of our community and you want to access support, ring through and let’s have a chat. I’ll connect you with colleagues if you’re new to your role and want some support - or if things are difficult and you simply need a listening ear.
If you’re a current CEO or executive who would like to act as a ‘buddy’, then let me know and I’ll add you to our growing community. It’s this: ‘We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give’ Sir Winston Churchill.
NHS organisations
Come and be part of our community.
Let’s do something different. Something to keep hold of our great CEO and executive talent who have tons of experience. Don’t let them leave and walk away or make it so difficult that it just becomes too much trouble. Also let’s allow our substantive executives and their deputies to lift their heads a little, to go out to other organisations nationally and help them do a review, for instance. It’s only for a week or two a year.
There are big benefits to facilitating our most senior staff to increase their networks, big benefits to bring back learning and also to use all of the experience that they have in their specialist area.
Sign up now for the ‘trial period’ at no cost to show support and once we have enough Talent signed up, we’ll discuss subscription (a set, one-off, annual fee) which is outlined on the ‘For our Clients’ page of the website [include link].
We cannot wait to get started.
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