Change is in the air. And it’s coming fast. The Deloitte survey for the year 2017 gives us an enticing look into the future of HR. Here are some of the key things to be aware of.
1. Reorganization: New advances in digitalization are making old business models obsolete. Organizations are increasingly forced to redesign themselves, become more efficient, move faster, and learn rapidly to maintain a competitive edge.
2. Career and learning: Companies will invest more in the constant development of employees’ knowledge and skills. This will create opportunities for HR professionals who can deliver continuous learning over a range of mobile platforms.
3. Talent acquisition: You can expect increasing use of automated systems by recruiters to discover new talent and forge closer connections with them.
4. Employee experience: Companies’ focus has moved from what employees need to what they want. This has affected the way HR deals with employees. It is predicted to open up a new field of specialization within HR, focused on innovating and creating the best employee experience for companies.
A new market has opened up for pulse feedback tools, wellness and fitness apps, as well as integrated self-service tools for employees.
5. Performance management: Businesses are reassessing their performance management programs, from goal setting to incentives and rewards. This is bringing performance management into sync with the new organizational models.
Annual performance reviews are its first casualty. Many companies are changing their reviewing practices or ditching them. Performance management and compensation will be a hot topic for 2017.
6. A changing of the guard: 2017 is seeing a radical shift in leadership. Organizations are increasingly searching for younger strong leaders that are also more agile and at ease with digitalization.
7. Bots and AI: automated systems are tipped to make major advances in the hiring process. Though still in development, there’s a serious will to optimize the hiring process and use predictive intelligent systems.
8. Skill over pedigree: The new trend of hiring for grit rather than pedigree is in full swing. Deloitte, the industry-leading audit, tax and advisory service, announced at the end of 2015 that it would be hiring 1,500 college graduates and would not disclose their educational information to hiring managers. More of such activity will create a more diverse workplace and allow talent to raise to the top, whatever its provenance.
9. Greater emphasis on predictive data: the value of predictive data is on the rise. Innovations are tipped to give HR professionals greater perspective regarding the internal functions of businesses. This will be used to predict potential growth and help measure expected employee compensation.
HR will not only change in the future ; technology will help HR change the future. Taking advantage of technological advances will help HR firms remain competitive, serve their clients better, and boost businesses’ performance.