As an HR consultant working closely with small businesses, I’ve seen how a thoughtful mid-year talent development check-in can create lasting impact—without large budgets or complex programs.

Why Mid-Year Matters for Small Business Talent Development

The start of the year often brings new goals, individual development plans, and training plans, but by June, energy can wane, and priorities shift. That’s why a mid-year talent development review is essential. It helps you:

• Reassess employee goals and progress
• Identify new skills your team needs for upcoming projects
• Reignite motivation and engagement before the summer slowdown
• Spot any gaps early to avoid end-of-year surprises

Goal setting supports the employee's esteem level, as achieving milestones builds confidence, recognition, and a sense of accomplishment. Finally, career path planning ties directly into self-actualization, the top of Maslow’s worker motivation hierarchy, where individuals strive to reach their full potential and find meaning in their work.

• Recent reports show that U.S. employee engagement has sunk to a 10-year low, signaling a real risk to productivity, retention, and overall workplace morale. For small businesses, this is a crucial warning sign—and a reminder that intentional talent development is more important than ever.

Simple Steps to Boost Your Talent Development This June

1. Schedule One-on-One Check-Ins

Use this time to have meaningful conversations with your employees about their career goals, challenges, and what support they need.

2. Offer Microlearning Opportunities

Short, focused training sessions—whether online or in-person—can be more manageable for small teams and keep learning continuous.

3. Encourage Peer Learning

Create informal spaces where team members can share knowledge or mentor one another. This builds skills and strengthens relationships.

4. Recognize and Celebrate Growth

Acknowledging progress boosts morale and reinforces a culture of development.

5. Plan Ahead for Q3 and Q4

Use insights from your mid-year review to adjust development plans and align them with business needs. Communication with your team is essential.

For small businesses, talent development doesn’t need to be complicated or costly. With intentional, people-focused strategies, you can keep your team growing and engaged all year long.

If you’d like help designing or refining your team’s development or training plans, let’s connect! Together, we can build a growth culture that drives success.