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MARKETING TALENT

European CMOs lament the challenge of losing their employees

By our News Team | 2021

Chief Marketing Officers say losing good staff to their competitors is proving to be a major concern in recent months.

More than a third of Chief Marketing Officers based in Europe report that losing talented employees to their competitors has been a significant workforce challenge in recent months.

This is according to a report in the industry publication Marketing Week, quoting new research from the social media platform LinkedIn.

Another 35% of the 263 CMOs surveyed say they are receiving fewer applications for vacant roles, while 32% report finding it difficult to recruit people with the right qualifications, Marketing Week said.

As a result, marketers are casting the net wider when it comes to recruitment, with more than a quarter (26%) now looking overseas for the right people, while more than three-quarters (76%) believe offering hybrid working is one of the key ways to attract the best applicants.

Marketing Talent

Photo by Alena Darmel from Pexels

Having a strong employer brand is also rising in importance as companies try and stand out to candidates that are in short supply. Thus, almost three-quarters (73%) say investing in their employer brand is an important priority over the next six months. This is partly because more than a third (35%) admit they feel prospective candidates are put off by current workplace policies.

Flexibility and professional development are key

“Companies will need to focus on building an employee experience that puts flexibility and professional development front and centre, and CMOs will need to demonstrate they are finding ways to help employees nurture their creativity and continually develop their skill sets in a hybrid working reality,” Tom Pepper, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions EMEA and LATAM senior director, is quoted as saying.

Recently, M&C Saatchi, the giant UK-based advertising and marketing agency, said it was so concerned about losing talented employees that it has begun a programme of ‘stay interviews’, as opposed to the common ‘exit interviews’ when people leave.

“It goes without saying that the ‘stay interviews’ will only be effective if talent feel they can be truly honest; as such we recommend those conducting the interviews are not line managers of those being interviewed and ideally not in the same department to enable objectivity and a degree of separation,” M&C Saatchi’s Managing Partner, Annabel Mackie, explained in a joint interview with two other experts for the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA).

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Dr Kin Kariisa

Group CEO - Next Media

Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.