Corporations embrace "Personal Potential Assessments" to curb turnover.

    There is not a seminar or workshop about productivity and personnel management that does not include a discussion about the burgeoning cost of employee turnover. Combine that issue with the cost of recruiting and the benefits necessary to retain good employees (increasing yearly as a percentage of total compensation) and you see why Personal Potential Assessments can be so valuable.

    One company offering profiles is International Assessment Network. Their process, called MAPP (Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential) has been successfully implemented in a number of Fortune 500 companies. "By using MAPP as part of our assessment process, we have been able to hire and train the individuals that should be performing within a certain standard," stated Larry Sherstad, Section Manager for GMAC Educational Services. "To date, over two years later, we have had zero turnover and created what we call the 'Dream Team'."

    IT staffing and consulting companies are recognizing the need to integrate personalities, motivations, affinities, temperament and other traits among in-office staff, have incorporated MAPP in its hiring process. One company, Consultis, calls their assessments MappI.T. sm They've been tailored to recognize certain traits needed to effectively consult with clients and build relationships with consultants. These benchmarks were scientifically calculated by analyzing profiles of the company's "most-mentored" and successful Technical Recruiters, Account Managers and Resource Coordinators in the system.

    Dan Smith, Owner of Consultis offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond and Washington, D.C. suggested, "These people work so closely with one another, you must consider their teamwork ability. There's a 'one voice' feeling, you know, that everyone's 'on the same page' that clients and consultants appreciate."

    Some staffing companies are "beta testing" the concept when certain definable characteristics are needed by clients for demanding projects and implementations. For instance, XYZ Company needs 5 multiple skillset I.T. professionals to work closely together on a project. Developed communication skills, intense reasoning aptitudes, high motivation and other traits are required. After selecting candidates based upon skill levels, experience and a review of personalities and other qualities, a custom tailored MappI.T. assessment can help assure the success of the project. Profiles can validate assumptions and even provide insight into other individual strengths that could, as an example, lead to assigning someone with project lead responsibility.