Executives bracing for significant business disruption 

27 February 2019

Australia, Melbourne

• Executives predicting significant disruption jumps almost 50 percentage points within 12 months 
• 60 per cent of companies plan to automate more work in next 12 months
• Mercer’s 2019 Global Talent Trends study identifies four top trends shaping the future of work

According to Mercer’s 2019 Global Talent Trends study, nearly three-quarters (73%) of executives predict significant disruption in the next three years, compared to 26% in 2018. As executives focus on making their organisations “future-fit”, significant human capital risks – including the ability to close the skills gap and overcome employee change fatigue – can impede transformation progress. Addressing these concerns is paramount, given that only one in three executives rate their company’s ability to mitigate human capital risks as very effective. 

“Over the last few years, organisations have moved from anticipation to action in preparing for the future of work. But they risk bewildering people with too much change, ignoring the values individuals admire, and inundating them with endless process,” said Ilya Bonic, President of Mercer’s Career business. 

In today’s climate of uncertainty, employees seek stability. Mercer’s study finds that job security is one of the top three reasons employees joined their company, and the main reason they stay. Yet, one in three employees are concerned that AI and automation will replace their job. The way to help employees feel secure is to foster the human connections. Thriving employees (those prospering in the areas of health, wealth, and career) are twice as likely to describe their role as “relationship focused” and their work environment as “collaborative.”

“The future of work will see a larger proportion of the workforce reliant on technology and AI to improve results. With people at the centre of enabling growth, it is essential for businesses to create a work environment that appeals to today’s workforce – one that is consistent with their values and desire for connection and community,” said Martin Lewington, CEO at Mercer, New Zealand. 

Mercer’s study identifies four top trends that leading companies are pursuing in 2019: Aligning Work to Future Value, Building Brand Resonance, Curating the Work Experience, and Delivering Talent-led Change. 

Aligning Work to Future Value. AI and automation continue to transform the competitive landscape – 60% of companies plan to automate more work in the next 12 months. At the same time, the C-suite names job redesign as the area of talent investment with the highest potential for return on investment, and 65% of employees are asking for more clearly defined responsibilities. The challenge for HR is to build an integrated people strategy (an approach deployed four times more frequently by high-growth companies) and leverage the right talent analytics to inform decisions on the future size and shape of the organisation – yet only one-third of companies have good insights into the business impact of their buy, build, borrow, and automate strategies. “The key is aligning jobs and people to where value is being created, while encouraging and rewarding continual learning and personal development,” said Mr Lewington. 

Building Brand Resonance. What matters to employees and job seekers is the way a company conducts business and upholds the values of its brand. In a social, transparent world, the lines are blurring between a company’s consumer brand and its talent value proposition (TVP). Successful companies ensure that their brand resonates with all workforce segments – 68% of high-growth organisations differentiate their TVP to different groups (such as contingent workers), compared to 47% of modest-growth companies. An organisation’s total rewards philosophy is one area where brand values can shine: Thriving employees are four times more likely to work for a company that ensures equity in pay and promotion decisions (78% vs. 18%). 

Curating the Work Experience. An effective and relevant day-to-day work experience is essential for retaining top talent. According to Mercer’s study, thriving employees are three times more likely to work for an organisation that enables quick decision-making (81% vs. 26%) and that provides tools and resources for them to do their job efficiently (82% vs. 30%). Personalised and simplified professional development plans are an ask from employees – more than half (56%) of employees want curated learning to help them evolve their skills and prepare for future jobs. Technology plays a critical role – high-growth firms are twice as likely as moderate-growth firms to provide a fully digital experience for employees. 

Delivering Talent-led Change. To ensure talent is at the centre of change, HR should have a voice in business transformation. This year’s study found 61% of HR leaders involved in planning the rollout of major change projects and 54% involved in executing those plans. But, only two in five HR leaders participated in the idea generation stage of transformation initiatives. HR sees employee morale as a significant barrier to making changes stick: “Employee attrition” and a “decline in employee trust” are two of the top challenges in the year ahead. “These findings point to the need for transformation efforts to focus on people-centred design and better talent metrics to understand how people are experiencing and embracing change,” said Mr. Bonic.

Mercer’s 2019 Global Talent Trends study shares insights from over 7,300 senior business executives, HR leaders, and employees from nine key industries and 16 geographies around the world. To download the report, visit https://www.mercer.com/global-talent-trends.