When we help organizations to create a system that fits their culture and needs, the first thing we do is build the business rationale. Based on interview and focus group input, we write a business case that ties this initiative to business strategy. We also identify the key leadership success factors in order to establish objective criteria for assessment and development. An important element of our approach is the periodic talent review, where management peer groups meet to discuss their assessments of individuals at the next level. The primary purpose of these reviews is to determine both development and succession plans. Our emphasis is on building talent, not on the "rank and yank" processes designed to eliminate a percentage of the work force every year.