Written by Heather L. Cole, February 3rd 2022
“I can’t believe it! Our IBM Planning Analytics guru is leaving. He’s been here 10 years and we just gave him a raise.” This statement has been repeated to me many times in the past year. The Great Resignation is in full swing. And it’s getting more challenging to attract IBM Planning Analytics/TM1 talent. So, I thought I would take some time to help any organization looking to attract budget, forecasting, and planning analytics talent. Here are my job posting tips to attract analytics talent. These tips are great for all job posts, but we will focus on attracting Finance and IBM Planning Analytics/ TM1 talent.
The Point of View of the Job Post
You have probably noticed your news feed is filled with articles stating that it’s an employee’s market. Organizations are struggling to find and keep analytics talent. They are offering sign on bonuses, work from home options and other perks. Well, these articles are making employees think, “what could I get if I left?” With a few clicks of the mouse, they are looking at their options and feeding the wave of resignations.
What I don’t understand is if it’s such an employee’s market why are job postings still written focusing on what the employer is looking for? If you are looking for analytics talent you need to stop and consider whose point of view is the post written from?
The post should be written to appeal to the reader and standout. You must share why the worker would want to work for you over a competitor!
Communicate What Talented Analytics Professionals Seek
The world has changed and so have the desires of top IBM planning analytics professionals. The pandemic made a lot of people realize a long commute isn’t required. Working from home can work. Lifestyle and quality of life are more important to talented people.
Take a moment and write down what you think your ideal IBM Planning Analytics professional would want. Then go ask your existing team what they value and what inspires them? What do they like about working at your organization? Now weave what you have to offer into your job posting. Remember you want to stand out as they may have a lot of opportunities.
Here are some of the things I hear IBM Planning Analytics and talented finance people looking for:
- Flexible work schedules
- Ability to work remotely
- Opportunity for growth in the position
- A firm that will invest in their training
- Interesting work that makes a difference
- A company that believes in the power of analytics and executives support it.
Don’t Focus on Specific Technology
I realized I stated I would focus on job posting tips for IBM Planning Analytics / TM1 talent but in your search for analytics talent stop limiting your pool to people with existing IBM Planning Analytics experience. Often, I see job descriptions that state TM1 or IBM Planning Analytics experience a must.
It has been my experience that technology advances so quickly that anyone with knowledge of robust planning applications like Anaplan, Hyperion, Adaptive and other industry competitors could be a great fit for your organization. The most important thing you need to find is someone that knows how planning models work. Looking for skills like problem solving and communication are more important than knowing a specific version of IBM Planning Analytics.
There’s also a benefit of getting someone without IBM Planning Analytics or TM1 experience. They will go through training and learn all the new functionality that you haven’t implemented yet, like virtual hierarchies (See Guide to Creating a Virtual Hierarchy) and workspace. (See What’s New in Planning Analytics Workspace Version 67 and 68).
Maybe you will realize when they come on board it’s time for a remodel. For more information on remodels see our blog It is Time to Update Your Operating Planning Models.
Words Matter - Grab their Attention
You want to make your job description stand out! You want the individual to read it thinking OMG this is me! Well, words matter. You want to make sure they feel inspired and excited. I appreciate those of us in technology and finance may not be expert copywriters, but I am guessing someone in your company is. Ask for help from someone on your marketing team.
Here’s a sample of some copy that Lodestar Solutions has used in our job postings to attract entry level IBM Planning Analytics / TM1 talent. When people responded to this job post, they usually commented that the post spoke to them.
Are you an expert in Microsoft Excel and love to analyze numbers? Do you work in accounting or finance and find it extremely satisfying to creating macros to automate tasks? Do you love the challenge to simplify models and processes and are inspired to find a better way to deliver information to the business? Are you a confident communicator who can interface equally well with technology teams and business-side managers? Are you looking for an opportunity to put your problem-solving skills to use and make a difference?
Where are You Posting your IBM Planning Analytics Job Opening?
Last but not least on our list of job posting tips, where are you putting your job posting? Are you just putting it on your website and hoping someone will see it?
To find top talent in IBM Planning Analytics, Lodestar Solutions recommends posting it where top talent hangs out. There are a number of IBM Planning Analytics user groups, many have their own LinkedIn group. There are financial planning LinkedIn groups too. But I believe the best way to get the word out is to have your talented team members share the job posting on LinkedIn to their network. Ask your business partner, consultants you work with and IBM sales representatives to share your post. Believe it or not they know a lot of people
Analytic Talent Resources
Here are a few other resources you might want to check out if you are seeking talent.
Call Us for Help Finding Talent
If you are a Lodestar Solutions client, remember we are happy to review your job posting. We are also happy to share it within our vast network. Let’s chat.
Not a Lodestar Solutions client, no problem, contact us and we are happy to discuss how we might help you find your next IBM Planning Analytics rockstar. Email us at Services@lodestarsolutions.com.
We hope you have enjoyed this blog and use our job posting tips to attract analytics talent. Please share a comment on your tips to attract talent.