ABSTRACT
The value of an organization consists first and foremost of the knowledge and skills possessed by the individuals who comprise it. The rate at which organizations learn may become the only sustainable source of competitive advantage. The finest organization is no better than the people who operate it. When you have the best people, you have the best product or service. The executive search firm Heidrick and Struggles has created a Global Talent Index that ranks countries according to their supply of talent. In their 2007 annual report they state, “Talent is the new oil and just like oil, demand far outstrips supply.”
