Talent is the Biggest Concern for Businesses in the Middle East

Executives in the Middle East rank talent as their biggest business worry according to a recent survey by the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC).

Availability of top calibre talent will have a significant impact on future business success in the region according to the AESC/BlueSteps Middle East Talent Survey 2015. Respondents were asked to rank the impact of a variety of issues on future business performance on a scale of 1 to 4 (with four having the greatest impact). The highest ranked issue affecting future business success related to finding the right talent with a score of 3.86.

“It’s no wonder that talent ranks top of the list” said Patrick Rooney, Managing Director for the AESC in the Middle East, “Middle East businesses need high-calibre talent to facilitate success in an increasingly complex regional and global business environment.”

The AESC/BlueSteps Middle East Talent Survey 2015 asked senior executives from 100 companies in the Middle East about the challenges they face in attracting and retaining top talent. Talent concerns were followed by regional unrest (3.46) and oil prices (3.36).

The same survey showed that 66% of respondents felt their company faced difficulties securing talented individuals for key roles.

*Patrick Rooney, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific & the Middle East, Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) will be in Dubai from 10 November until 14 November and will be available for media comment.