One area of your life that you should always pay attention to is what you are doing to upskill and improve your industry knowledge.

According to people effectiveness solutions providers, LR Group, keeping your mind in shape is as important as keeping your body in top shape.

Linda van der Loo, managing executive of LR Learning Solutions, says it is critical that all employees, in management or further down the line, focus their minds on continuous self-development, focusing on skills and knowledge.

"A systematic approach and a tailored training solution designed to match your company's intended succession plan will only ensure you remain ahead of your competitors in the workplace," she says.

"It will also develop your personal skills and knowledge to place you on top of the pile when it comes to promotion opportunities or landing that dream job."

South Africa has identified the need to develop its peoples' skills.

The lead taken by government to support talent development initiatives has been well-received by corporate South Africa, with many adopting the philosophy of improving the skills of their workers.

"A key driver of business sustainability and profitability is the quality of skills in your organisation," says Van der Loo.

"A critical factor that differentiates great companies is their talent development policies. A sustained approach to consistently developing your talent pool is a crucial element in a talent retention strategy.

"Employees consistently identify personal development as a key factor in their decision to stay with their current employers," she says.

Reversing the brain drain is crucial to SA business.

By addressing the critical areas of training, personal development, talent development, motivation and talent retention the long-term sustainability of SA's socio- economic environment will significantly improve.

Van der Loo believes a crucial challenge facing business is how to develop their talent pool to be world-class.

"Key to this is a talent-development component at the core of all HR strategies," she says. "Outsourcing this sophisticated and complex HR function to companies that are skilled and trained in converting raw talent to a well-oiled, skilled and knowledgeable workforce has proven to have a positive impact on bottom line results."

The use of widely accepted and targeted business publications to develop a workforce's skills has become a practice among business to develop soft and hard skills. And emphasising the need to self-develop is crucial for employees to take ownership of their personal development and seek ways to up their skills.

Bookstores carry a wide range of titles that provide effective solutions to all business needs. There are also publications from leading industry experts available online.

Employees can access information from their work stations that is tailored to guide them through operational issues as well as their own personal development strategies.

"One of the fastest ways to solve problems and to improve the skills of employees is to allow them access to renowned business publications online," Van der Loo says.

"By sourcing the latest and best business and technical publications online, users can access a collection of content from the world's leading authorities in business, technology and other fields."

Increasingly online bookstores, such as Books24X7, are becoming the preferred source of access to business gurus.

The instant accessibility to critical references to solve day-to-day operational problems offers business the opportunity to up their game in the superior service stakes.

With a range of highly targeted programmes available to HR divisions in all industries, it is critical to identify your business needs and implement a talent development strategy tailored to add value to your workforce.

"Internal talent development should be at the heart of all businesses. However, with the increase in complexity in talent development methodologies, many HR managers and directors have identified the critical need to outsource this crucial HR function,Van der Loo says. A key component of self development is the need to refer to successful business and technical publications. Thanks to online availability, problem solving and skills development is now just a mouse-click away."

"So if you need to zap your mind into shape to be ready for workplace challenges, speak to your manager or supervisor and discuss your personal development strategy; get online and upskill now," she adds.

For more information contact Linda van der Loo on 011-802-8430.