Analysis Predicts Power Shift to Employees

Manpower Inc.’s World of Work Trends notes that in an economic environment where organizations are pressured to do more with less, businesses and governments will continue to demand more specific skills. It predicts that the pressure to find the right skills in the right place at the right time will increase as working age populations decline, economies rebound, emerging markets rise, and the nature of work shifts.

The skill shortages will accelerate the mobility of workers and work, the report notes.  In addition, demographic shifts will increase the pressure to keep older workers engaged in the workforce longer.

Manpower says continuous training and development of the workforce will be required in order to maintain a job-ready workforce. Companies need to better understand individuals’ motivations and work preferences, and the impact they have on their talent strategy.  

They need to understand how to attract, engage, and manage the multi-generational workforce. It will require segmented candidate attraction models and well-designed talent management practices.

Customer Power

The analysis also notes that customers’ behavior is more global and sophisticated, increasing the complexity of their relationships and the specificity of their demands, and customers have more access to information, experts, and lower cost channels which increases visibility and subsequent pressure on companies to deliver value. This puts increased pressure on the productivity of a company’s workforce.

Manpower says talent has become a key differentiator for organizations.

In addition, companies’ practices are under increased scrutiny; therefore, they must stand up to total transparency. While broadly-available online networks make transparency easier, more unsubstantiated information increases the importance of verification, certification, and validation, Manpower warns.

The analysis also points out that individual access to information means both employees and employers must manage their reputations.

Finally, Manpower says workplaces and practices will need to be environmentally-friendly and drive sustainability due to society’s focus on reducing carbon footprints.