We live in an age where the business landscape is constantly evolving, and with it, HR practices must adapt to meet new challenges. Enter SurgeAdvisory, co-founded by Maria Bartolo Zahra and Joseph FX Zahra, whose innovative approach to HR consultancy is reshaping how companies view talent acquisition and management. With a focus on a skills-first approach, Surge Advisory is helping businesses navigate the complex world of human resources with strategic insight and personalised solutions. 

Maria's path to co-founding SurgeAdvisory in 2017 is marked by nearly two decades of experience in various facets of the HR sphere. “I started in HR back in 2003,” she explains, recalling a career trajectory which took her from recruitment to training and development, and eventually to specialised consultancy in remuneration and rewards.

This diverse background laid the foundation for SurgeAdvisory's holistic approach to HR. “We decided to set up Surge Advisory to offer more tailored HR advisory that went beyond the cookie-cutter solutions,” Maria reveals. Today, it is this tailored approach which is at the heart of what sets SurgeAdvisory apart in a crowded field of HR consultancies.

In fact, what truly distinguishes SurgeAdvisory is its commitment to a personalised, in-depth service. “We don't offer one-size-fits-all,” Maria emphasises. “We understand that every business is unique.” This philosophy translates into a deep involvement with clients, to the point where the HR Advisor often feels like part of the companies she advises.

Moreover, the firm’s approach blends local market experience with global insights, offering advice that is both relevant and innovative. This combination allows SurgeAdvisory to provide solutions that are not just reactive but truly strategic, addressing both immediate HR challenges and long-term business goals.

One of the most significant trends SurgeAdvisory is championing is a skills-first approach to talent management, Maria explains. This strategy represents a shift from traditional HR practices that focus heavily on qualifications and job titles to one that prioritises an individual’s skills and potential.

“It's shifting the focus from the traditional credentials – you know, the degrees, your job title, past job titles – to actually seeing what skills an individual and employee can bring to the table,” Maria maintains. This approach is becoming increasingly relevant as companies realise that skills, more than qualifications alone, contribute significantly to employee performance.

Still, transitioning to a skills-first approach isn’t without its challenges. Maria acknowledges that the biggest hurdle is often the mindset shift required. “Moving away from traditional practices can be tough,” she notes. Additionally, accurately assessing skills, especially soft skills, can be difficult to quantify.

To address these challenges, Maria recommends a gradual implementation, advising businesses to start small, perhaps with a specific department or area of concern. She also recomments investing in skills assessments and tools to help quantify abilities, prioritising training and development to nurture identified skills, and above all, patience: “cultural shifts don't happen overnight,” she smiles.

Done correctly, this skills-first approach can have a profound impact on employee development and retention strategies, making them more personalised, Maria predicts. By focusing on individual skills and potential, companies can create tailored development plans that make employees feel valued and invested in. In turn, this personalised approach to career development can lead to higher engagement and retention rates – particularly crucial in today’s tight labour market.

As SurgeAdvisory approaches its ninth year in business, Maria sees opportunities for growth and expansion. “We’re at a point where it’s time to really focus on strengthening our existing services,” she states. The firm aims to continue building strong partnerships with clients while potentially expanding its HR operations support, particularly for small to mid-sized companies.

However, Maria is mindful of the challenges that come with growth. “Our biggest challenge is to manage the growth sustainably,” she acknowledges. The personal touch and deep client relationships that define SurgeAdvisory's approach require careful scaling to maintain their quality of service.

As our chat comes to a close, Maria offers a final word of advice for companies considering adopting a skills-first approach: “Begin with a specific department that possibly is having high employee turnover and try the skills-first approach in a particular area of concern.” From there, she says, companies can learn, make adjustments, and gradually expand the approach.