Top Talent

Conclusion: Becoming a Talent Magnet

I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: a recession is a terrible thing to waste.

The menu of pragmatic interventions highlighted in this book jump-starts a winning strategy, giving companies a rare opportunity to gain powerful advantage in the marketplace. Valuing people and turbocharging performance are important at any point in the economic cycle but are critical during a recession. Being known as a standout employer during a brutal and prolonged downturn has an enduring impact on a company’s image and reputation, enabling it to attract and retain the brightest and the best over the long haul.

There are lessons from the 2001 dot-com bust. Cisco’s response was to offer high-potential employees alternatives ...