By Joan Abaasa
Communications Officer
ICPAU
Mary Lilian Manyonga Nabunya, an independent HR Consultant has emphasised the importance of talent management in organisational success. In her presentation on Harnessing Talent and Emerging Skills for Organisational Wellness, Nabunya encouraged accountants to recognise and appreciate the role of talent in driving organisational goals during the 29th Annual Seminar of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) held from 4-6 September 2024.
She highlighted that harnessing talent begins with understanding its value, identifying it, and leveraging it within the organisation. According to Nabunya, effective talent management involves placing the right people in the right roles at the right time, ensuring that the business can meet its strategic objectives now and in the future.
“The world is changing and there is a need to reskill and upscale,” she remarked.
Nabunya emphasised the rapidly changing job landscape, noting that 42% of core skills required for jobs are expected to change. She pointed out that technological advancements could transform over 1 billion jobs globally in the next decade, necessitating a reskilling and upskilling of the workforce.
She also discussed the growing corporate challenge of talent mismatch, skill obsolescence, and employee burnout, which hinder organisations from fully harnessing their potential. Nabunya stressed the need for leaders to align talent management with organisational strategy, ensuring that the right people are in key positions to maintain a competitive edge.
Additionally, she shared strategies for optimising talent within the accounting profession, such as continuous professional development, competitive compensation, flexible work arrangements, and career advancement opportunities. Nabunya also highlighted the importance of fostering an ethical culture and investing in technology to support accountants in their roles.
She added that organisational wellness is key to sustained success and advocated for investing in employee development and well-being, as it leads to higher job satisfaction, engagement, and retention rates, ultimately driving organisational success.
Organisations were urged to stay connected with their employees, embrace technology, and create a flexible and collaborative work culture to fully harness the talent of their workforce in the digital age.
Organised under the theme, Driving Sustainability and Trust, the 29th Annual Seminar was held at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel, and online.
Partnering organisations include Uganda Electricty Distribution Company Ltd, Deposit Protection Fund, MTN Uganda, Bank of Uganda, Airtel Uganda, Kampala Capital City Authority, National Social Security Fund, Uganda Development Bank, National Agricultural Advisory Services, KPMG, Endeavour Africa, Ernst & Young, Ediomu & Co., Kalinda & Associates, Centenary Rural Development Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Forvis Mazars, Insurance Regulatory Authority, Crowe AIA, Grant Thornton, Baker Tilly Hem LLP, PostBank Uganda, Electricity Regulatory Authority, Kakira Sugar Ltd, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Mengo Hospital, Uganda Electricity Tranmission Company Ltd, Uganda Law Reform Commission, Sebuuma & Associates and Summit Consulting Ltd.
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