How to build a successful internal mobility strategy

Internal mobility is more than filling roles — it’s about creating opportunities for your people to grow with your business. When employees can clearly see where they’re headed, they’re more engaged, more productive, and, let’s be honest, happier. But here’s the kicker: only 20% of employees believe their company is helping them build the skills they need to grow, according to Achievers Workforce Institute’s (AWI) Skills Matrix Report.

So, what’s the fix? It’s simpler than you think. Tools like a recognition platform give you the insights to see where your people are excelling — and where they might need a little nudge. With real-time feedback and data, you can build clear career paths that not only boost internal mobility but keep teams engaged, motivated, and, well, ready for what’s next.

How to build a successful internal mobility strategy

Creating an internal mobility strategy is about more than just moving talent around. It’s about giving people the opportunity to expand their horizons, sharpen their skills, and work together in new ways. And here’s the twist: recognition is at the heart of it all.

Ready to build a strategy that connects employee development with the success of the business? Here’s how to get started:

1. Provide career pathways

Clear career paths are like having a GPS for your career — they guide employees to where they want to go and show them the best route to get there. And when employees know where they’re headed, they’re more engaged and more likely to stay. Recognition platforms map out skills, track achievements, and highlight growth opportunities — giving employees the clarity they need to see their future and take control of their career journey.

2. Increase visibility into internal opportunities

If your employees can’t see the opportunities, how can they seize them? Creating visibility for internal roles is key to making sure employees know what’s next. Recognition platforms offer real-time insights into performance and skill development, making it easier for managers to spot internal talent and open the door to new roles. It’s about helping employees find the next step in their career journey — right within the company.

3. Leverage recognition to identify and promote talent

Recognition goes beyond praise — it helps identify the people making a real impact. A recognition platform helps managers track performance and behavior patterns, providing real insights into who’s ready to take their career to the next level. Whether it’s leadership, collaboration, or problem-solving, recognizing the right behaviors means you’re promoting people who are making a real impact, not just checking boxes.

4. Ensure manager support

Managers are the lifeblood of internal mobility — they spot potential, guide career conversations, and help employees take the next step. With the right system in place, managers can easily track progress and feedback, making it easier for them to nurture their team’s growth. It’s all about giving them the tools they need to help employees move forward.

5. Invest in skills development and training

According to Achievers’ State of Recognition Report, 65% of HR leaders tap into recognition data to fuel learning and development. When leaders celebrate key employee milestones — whether it’s finishing a course or tackling a new project — they’re showing that personal growth matters — and backing it with real recognition.

6. Encourage feedback and open conversations

Internal mobility isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it strategy. Regular check-ins, employee feedback tools, and open conversations are key to keeping things on track. With integrated surveys and feedback in your recognition program, employees feel heard and supported, while managers gain valuable insights into their goals and engagement levels.

7. Measure and optimize internal mobility efforts

Tracking metrics like mobility rates, engagement, and retention helps you figure out what’s working — and what’s not. By analyzing trends in recognition and career growth, managers can tweak their approach, optimize internal mobility, and make sure they’re always moving in the right direction.

Why internal mobility matters for businesses

When employees can grow and evolve within your company, it’s a win for everyone. Internal mobility keeps top talent engaged, reduces turnover, and drives the success of your business.

Here’s why it should be at the heart of your talent strategy — and how Achievers’ can help you unlock the full potential of your workforce:

• Improves retention and reduces turnover: Internal mobility keeps your talent engaged and loyal, so you’re not always scrambling to hire from the outside. With Achievers’ real-time reporting, you can spot top performers and promote from within.
• Fosters skill development: Internal mobility helps employees build the skills they need as your company evolves. Achievers tracks progress, identifies growth opportunities, and celebrates learning, empowering employees to grow while working toward company goals.
• Increases employee engagement: Giving employees new roles or projects keeps them motivated. Achievers helps you celebrate milestones, encourage meaningful feedback, and build a growth-driven culture that sparks productivity and keeps employees fully engaged.
• Access to a ready talent pool: Internal mobility helps businesses fill roles faster with qualified candidates. Achievers makes it simple to spot top talent and track performance, so you can easily identify who’s ready for the next step — no need to look outside when the talent is already inside.

How Achievers supports internal mobility

At Achievers, we believe growth and opportunity should be at the heart of every company’s culture. Our science-backed platform takes a smarter approach to internal mobility — driving 5x the impact on key business drivers. We help employers invest in their talent and empower employees to reach their full potential.

Here’s how we turn internal mobility into a business success story:

1. Recognizes skill development

Tracking growth and skill development? Easier than ever. With near real-time data, Achievers gives managers the tools to celebrate milestones and stay ahead of the curve. Our recognition and rewards data ensures employees feel seen, valued, and motivated to keep pushing forward. Because when people feel appreciated, growth follows.

2. Aligns skills with opportunities

AWI’s Skills Gap Report tells us that half of HR leaders struggle to pinpoint employees with the right skills, but Achievers makes this a whole lot easier. With cutting-edge recognition data and business intelligence (BI) insights, we help organizations track trends, set benchmarks, and match employees with the right opportunities — ensuring you’re always one step ahead in developing your internal talent.

3. Encourages internal mobility through rewards

Internal mobility is a lot more exciting when there’s something to work toward. With our points-based rewards platform, employees earn rewards for career milestones that they can redeem for what really matters to them. These incentives keep them motivated, engaged, and ready for that next step — because who doesn’t love a good reward for a job well done?

Strengthen your workforce with internal mobility

Internal mobility is one of the most powerful ways to nurture your talent, keep employees engaged, and drive long-term success. With Achievers’ employee recognition software, you can empower your people to grow within your organization and build a career they’re excited about.

Our real-time insights and easy reporting tools help you spot top talent, celebrate achievements, and match skills with the right opportunities. By using workforce science from Achievers Workforce Institute and data-driven recognition, we give you the tools to invest in your team and keep them moving forward.

With Achievers, you can create a culture where internal mobility is at the heart of success.

Written by

Rebecca Mattina