When success is clearly defined it provides a blueprint for accomplishment. This book will focus on why and how competencies can be used to establish success criteria for an effective talent management strategy and system. With sample applications, tools, and business cases the authors will illustrate how competencies define success criteria and offer a common language for talent discussions. Business leaders will learn how to develop competency models, and use popular applications, to establish an integrated Talent Management (TM) system and strategy. The book will be divided into five sections. Section One will discuss Talent Management as a system, Section Two will define competencies and describe how to build competency models. Section Three will put competencies into talent, cultural and strategic context, Section Four will introduce common competency applications and tools associated with best practice. Finally Section Five will illustrate competency applications through actual business examples.