At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Milwaukee-based ManpowerGroup today unveiled a white paper calling for employers to remain flexible and agile in response to unpredictable macroeconomic forces, and that the only way to achieve this is through strategic simplification.
ManpowerGroup’s new insights paper, “Simplify to Win in the Human Age: Organizational Agility a Must in Certain Uncertainty,” was released today at the WEF annual meeting.
ManpowerGroup shares its annual analysis of the trends impacting the world of work, explaining that the forces it has identified previously are accelerating and converging. Margins continue to decrease, creating the need to do more with less and elevating human potential as the major agent of economic growth; technological evolutions are redefining how work is done and the skills necessary to do it; and talent shortages are increasing with shifting demographics and the rising sophistication of employers who look for specific skills to meet ever-changing needs.
“The current economic environment means businesses need to focus on what they can control being flexible and agile to respond to ongoing change,” said Jeffrey Joerres, ManpowerGroup chief executive officer and chairman. “Executed correctly, organizational simplification results in streamlined processes, aligned business and talent strategies, improved collaboration and a clearer line of sight to company goals and objectives. This ensures companies’ long-term sustainability and relevance whatever the future may bring.”
ManpowerGroup’s 2014 Organizational Agility Survey of more than 18,000 employers in 42 countries and territories shows that most organizations have demonstrated a commitment to becoming more agile over the past 12 months, but barriers to agility are frequently cited, including: speed of decision making, employee commitment, leadership focus, technological capabilities and workforce capabilities.
“Simplify to Win in the Human Age: Organizational Agility is a Must in Certain Uncertainty,” explains that simplification must be CEO-driven and supported by a fully-aligned leadership team, with chief human resources officers (CHROs) playing a critical role in implementing a one-size-fits-one talent strategy that encompasses people practices, work models and talent sources.
“Leaders must constantly challenge themselves to consider how business operations can be carried out simpler, faster and more efficiently,” added Joerres. “Understanding how to unleash human potential and being thoughtful about using different work models in the face of fluctuating demand is key to driving faster time-to-value and winning in the Human Age.”
“Simplify to Win in the Human Age: Organizational Agility a Must in Certain Uncertainty” is available for download by clicking here.
