Everyone's talking about "talent management" today as a way to boost the performance of the human resources (HR) organization. But what are the elements of a talent management strategy, leveraging advanced HR outsourcing solutions, that can actually drive high performance for an entire company?

This article offers an innovative and practical approach to talent management—planning and executing an integrated set of management processes that generate greater business value by creating and continuously optimizing workforce talent. A comprehensive and strategic approach to talent management can bring together all the talent-related initiatives and workforce resources needed to execute business strategy. This approach also offers the opportunity to plan and manage HR outsourcing initiatives in a way that maximizes the value of such arrangements, not only generating cost savings but creating the means to achieve profitable growth and high performance.

The world is flat (at least the economic one). The networked world is also a "flat" world, one where work can come from anywhere and be performed anywhere. Corporate learning departments have a huge role to play in addressing the challenges of a flat world and in helping to support innovation.

By using a whole battery of new technologies, companies have found ways for their people to work together on essential tasks while essentially staying put. Sure, the savings can be dramatic. But before you abandon direct interpersonal interaction altogether, you need to ask yourself some fundamental questions.

Most corporate risk managers are more concerned about potential catastrophes and financial risk than about operational risks like fraud and mismanagement. As recent events have shown, such inattention can be fatal. Is it time to change your company's risk management culture?