{"id":7518,"date":"2020-10-25T07:30:10","date_gmt":"2020-10-25T11:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=7518"},"modified":"2026-02-12T04:58:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T09:58:53","slug":"next-up-succession-planning-at-all-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/next-up-succession-planning-at-all-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"Next up: Succession planning at all levels"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNext up: Succession planning at all levels\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Jim\t\t\t\tJim Boomer<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Often, when people talk about succession planning, we’re focused on the partner level. Which senior managers have what it takes to lead the firm when existing partners retire? But that laser focus on partner succession ignores the importance of preparing others to step up and advance in their role with the firm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone in the firm \u2013 at all levels \u2013 should think about how they’re preparing others to step up when they move on to the next phase of their career (or leave the firm). Do you have a development plan to help people move up? Without one, you’ll always be looking to hire outside the firm because you think your existing talent isn’t good enough. And the talent you do have will leave the firm for one that invests in their future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why plan for succession at all levels?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The only way to reduce the time and money lost on attrition or underperforming employees is with a multi-level succession plan. When a person moves up in the firm, it leaves a void in their old position. If you have a succession plan, the impact will be minimal and you’ll have a smoother transition because you’ve identified and fostered the next level. Each individual is ready to take on the next phase of their career, no matter their current position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key to creating such a system is to encourage people to develop others on their teams. Create incentives<\/a> for partners to develop managers, managers to develop supervisors, supervisors to develop seniors, seniors to develop staff, and staff to develop interns. This applies to every department, including marketing and business development, admin, IT, etc. In the most successful firms, succession planning becomes part of the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to create a succession plan at all levels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Creating a succession plan at all levels involves three key steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Identify core skills for each role<\/h3>
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    For every position in the firm, create a detailed assessment of the skills, knowledge, experience, and mindset necessary to succeed in that role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This goes beyond mere job descriptions because these assessments don’t talk about what the employee does. It’s about the skills and attributes needed for the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These assessments help employees understand exactly what’s expected of them in their current role and the skills and experience they need to develop in order to be ready for their next career move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Conduct skills assessments<\/h3>
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      Now that you know what skills are needed at all levels of the firm, what’s missing? Assess each member of your team to help everyone understand what they need to be more successful in their role now and what they need to be ready for the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      As part of the assessment, talk to your people about their career goals to ensure you’re preparing them for the job they want. Not everyone wants to be a partner, but they do want to develop their skills and increase their value. Create tracks that can help people grow professionally and benefit the firm long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Create a succession culture<\/h3>
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        Training and learning are some of the most crucial aspects of preparing people to succeed with your firm. There are many ways to ensure that your firm has the bench strength to ensure smooth transitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n