In the hyper-competitive FMCG landscape, where 75% of firm performance hinges on behavioural competencies like adaptability and collaboration, organisations are redefining excellence through strategic competency development. Clearly, in a time of volatile consumer demands and AI-driven disruption, competency mapping and tailored training aren’t just HR tools—they’re the bedrock of sustainable competitive advantage.
The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector demands a unique blend of skills and capabilities from its workforce to stay competitive in an increasingly complex market environment. Companies need to train and develop their employees' key skills to create successful teams that can help the business grow. This training is especially important for helping teams perform better and come up with new ideas.
Competency mapping can significantly reduce the risk of hiring the wrong person. Every role requires a unique set of hard and soft skills and behavioural attributes. However, defining these skills is not a simple task.
Competency mapping is an HR strategy that helps to evaluate candidates and employees in a structured, methodical way that is easy to replicate. The goal is to fully understand each individual’s and department’s knowledge, skills, motives, traits, and social roles, as well as any noticeable gaps within these characteristics.
These may be known or unknown to each individual. This can then be compared to the skills and competencies needed for a particular role to gauge whether they are the right fit and what training may be needed to improve.
Source: AIHR
Once a competency mapping exercise is done, the next step is to train the workforce to develop the competencies they lack. This is where the L&D team plays a critical role.
First, let’s look at the types of competencies required in business.
Behavioural competencies in FMCG underpin leadership and team success through communication, customer focus, and interpersonal skills that connect stakeholders. These are vital in customer-centric environments.