CERIC is creating a new bilingual resource for the 9 out of 10 private sector businesses in Canada that are small- and medium-sized enterprises seeking to keep and develop talent. Entitled Retain and Gain: Career Management for Small Business, the concise Playbook is intended for owners and managers of SMEs to use as a practical career management tool with their employees.

The Playbook is being written by career management expert and small business owner Lisa Taylor, President of Challenge Factory, and includes collaboration with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. It is also being made possible with the contributions of Knowledge Champions: Université Laval, Ryerson University, TD Bank and The CFO Centre. The launch is planned for the Cannexus17 National Career Development Conference in Ottawa, Jan. 23-25, 2017.

Exploring priority career management issues based on best practices research and interviews with SMEs across Canada from different sectors, the Playbook will have an innovative “travel guide” format with easy-to-implement activities that can be accomplished in as little as 10 minutes a day. It connects career management to the biggest barriers for small business (e.g., cash flow, and addresses concerns (e.g., perceived lack of scope for career progression).

The need for the Playbook was identified in CERIC’s 2014 Environics survey showing that 71% of employers say they have responsibilities for career development, but only 29% are doing anything about it. People issues are especially costly to small business who cite finding, keeping and developing employees as critical, creating opportunities to leverage good career management for business success. Furthermore, with SMEs employing 90% of Canada’s private sector labour force, it represents a key means to enhance the career development of Canadians.

After the January launch, Playbooks will be for sale in both print ($15.95) and ebook ($6.50) via Amazon.ca and Chapters.Indigo.ca. A pdf will also be available for free download from the CERIC site.