Workforce Effectiveness

The global recession that came about almost overnight in 2008 put a hard stop to the explosive growth that occurred following the downturn of 2001-2002. Markets around the world reeled from the banking crisis and its effects on local economies. Up until the downturn, many companies were scrambling to implement Strategic Workforce Planning processes that enabled them to get out from under perennial talent shortages. These companies were not only experiencing shortages in sheer numbers of people but more importantly, in getting talent that had the capability to meet the demanding needs of operating in a global marketplace. Once the downturn hit, most of these efforts were either set aside or re-focused on downsizing. Old behaviors quickly took root at many companies as calls echoed in the halls to cut "20%" or to open up the window to everyone and anyone who wanted a severance package. The near term results of this downsizing have provided sorely needed cost reductions. Unfortunately, they will inevitably cause significant challenges in quickly taking advantage of the upturn that is to come.

As a result of unprecedented government cooperation and intervention, the financial markets have begun to stabilize. The economic stimulus enacted by many countries is expected to resuscitate local and global markets beginning in 2010. Rays of hope are beginning to shine around the world now as consumer confidence and spending slowly returns. As with recessions of the past, companies that have the foresight and fortitude to leave the trenches early and proactively position themselves for growth will reap the economic benefits of being first to market to meet pent-up demand for their products and services. The competition for a limited supply of talent will resume and the companies with foresight into future talent requirements will come out the winner. Companies who remain entrenched and fail to take the appropriate and measured steps to ensure their workforce has both capability and capacity to respond will find themselves in second, third, or even last place.

Axiom Consulting Partners, a management consulting firm specializing in strategy execution and talent management, along with Aruspex, the leading provider of Strategic Workforce Planning software solutions, will share their perspectives on how companies can use Strategic Workforce Planning to proactively identify the number, type, and quality of talent needed to successfully execute business recovery-focused business strategies. more »

2008 has been a challenging year for the global economy. The bursting of the housing bubble in the United States and the related credit crunch, combined with increasing energy prices and a subsequent decline in spending, have many employers in retreat. As organizations retrench, many are searching for opportunities to defer not only capital investments but human-capital investments as well. This phenomenon, combined with the impact of globalization, the speed of change in business and continuing talent shortages, often leaves HR professionals in the unenviable position of playing "catch-up" with the business. Playing catch-up manifests itself in stop-and-start recruiting and retention objectives, vacancies in strategic roles and HR organizations that are focused on reducing operating expenses rather than improving operating results. Winning will require HR leaders to break this cycle and get off the talent treadmill (i.e., continuous cycle of reactive and disjointed talent management decisions).

Getting off the talent treadmill and adopting a more proactive, business-centered approach ensures that the right number of people with the right skills are deployed, engaged and rewarded appropriately to execute a company's strategy. Organizations can successfully hardwire talent strategy to business strategy by applying the three-step process that will be discussed in the webinar. more »

Economic turbulence is a natural part of the business cycle and, in the past, has often triggered unilateral, across-the-board workforce reductions. While such cuts can improve the bottom line in the short-term, they can end up hindering future growth once the economy stabilizes and growth prospects improve. What have organizations learned from past downturns, to embrace a balanced approach in pursuing global markets and manage economic uncertainty? HR leaders are responding to the dual business focus on reducing costs while continuing to invest in growth. This webcast will discuss the results of Towers Perrin's 2008 Business and Workforce Challenges Pulse Survey, and how organizations are taking a fresh approach to optimize workforce effectiveness, while managing talent investment and economic risk more »

Few organizations today doubt the role that people play in driving performance and creating and sustaining true competitive advantage. But building the kind of culture and work environment that promote higher levels of workforce performance remains elusive for many, and this webcast will reveal groundbreaking new research that confirms why. This webcast will identify the often missing critical components of a sound workforce strategy that can engage your organization's talent across different segments of the workforce, and what's required to bring your workforce strategy to life. more »