Competiting For Talents

Leading edge companies that realize this trend are moving towards a more collaborative and mobile way of working under-pinned by technology and social networking. This is the key finding from the second edition of ‘HR Challenges and Solutions’ published by ADP in partnership with CorporateLeaders.

Organizations are making the connection between these ideas and the cultural generational changes taking place. Young people who entered work in the last decade are demanding greater variety and challenges with a different return for their loyalty than their parents expected.

The “Facebook generation” or “millennial generation” are accustomed, through social networking and mobile technology, to a level playing field in which everyone is listened to and everyone takes part in the discussion.

In the talent war, which has continued to challenge organizations, an engaging and collaborative culture in the workplace, which empowers individuals and teams, is the best recipe for attracting and retaining the talent. Employers are recognizing that, for a new generation, a new approach to management is required which gives staff flexibility and ease of communication.

The case studies and research in the report show companies that harness the latest technology in the workplace do so to:

• Improve people’s ability to work effectively at a distance and on the move
• Encourage employees to learn and develop through joining communities of practice
• Enhance recruitment efforts to tap into new generation talent
• Better market organizations to younger people

People entering the workforce now expect companies to provide the tools and technology to enable them to be productive in any environment whether at home, with a client or sitting in Starbucks. It can become a significant differentiator from a recruitment standpoint.

Role of HR and Technology
Companies have to adapt to the new working climate. HR is responding to these demands by searching for new software solutions and placing them in the hands of line managers and employees, a move, which has the added benefit of improving productivity.

Evidence of a drive to use the latest technology to empower the workforce, aiding HR professionals to implement the solutions that meet the needs of the new generation. By doing this, the HR function is enhancing both engagement and productivity - alongside the profile of the organization.

The new way of working is based on flexible hours and flexible workplaces enabled by technology such as mobile applications, cloud computing, virtualization, and social networking. Executives who understand this and equip their organizations to survive in this new world will be the ones still leading successful organizations in the Human and Mobile Age.