"In an era of true global competition, remaining competitive comes down to managing the capability and capacity of your organization to meet the demands of your target customers, an activity that is largely dependent upon your ability to recruit, retain, motivate and develop your labour force accordingly," wrote well-known HR thought leader and professor of management at San Francisco State University Dr John Sullivan, recently.

"Note that in the modern era, your labour force is made up of more than just the employees on your organization's payroll; it includes a significant volume of contractors, consultants, outsourced service organizations and strategic partners.

"Developing world-class practices to manage the talent resources capable of driving capability and capacity will be the ability most in demand by leading organizations over the course of the next decade and as the next war for talent builds momentum. Already, organizations and individuals in developing nations flush with an influx of operating capital from outsourcing and offshoring work are looking to expand the capability and capacity of their operations by looking outside the borders of their home country.

"Are you ready to compete globally? You had better be!"

Sullivan notes that leading organizations are applying capability and capacity planning to talent as they seek to transform talent management from art to science. The discipline is helping them balance the load of labour they need to meet or exceed strategic objectives with the optimal mix of resources. For CIOs without the resources or management backing to apply such discipline, or the deep pockets to lure candidates away from those leading players, it is like trying to feed yourself by dipping a plain rod in the ocean while your competitors are sweeping up the catch with giant nets.