Winmark C-Suite report 2022 & Beyond BLOG: People

HR leaders are facing intense stress as they struggle to cope with the consequences of the pandemic and the rapid acceleration of digital transformation.

Organisations need to upskill and reskill their teams during a period where there has been a record number of resignations, along with an increased demand for flexible working conditions – all against a backdrop of rising prices. In Winmark’s C-Suite 2022 & Beyond report, C-Suite network members have shared experiences in tackling the top five ‘people priorities’. A selection of their suggestions are provided below:

1/ Tackling Recruitment

• A proactive approach is required – engaging in outreach initiatives with universities or directly reaching out to potential candidates on social media platforms.
• Communicating clear commitment to employee mental and physical wellbeing – this can involve outlining steps to create a sense of belonging amongst remote workers and initiatives to avoid the negative impacts of homeworking on employee health.

2/ Tackling Upskilling

Identifying clear goals both for the organisation and for individual departments, and then identifying and allocating the skills needed to achieve those goals.

• Identifying the skills of the current employee base, define the skills needed, look at the gaps and build a plan to resolve those gaps.
• Gaining employee input into individual development plans to find the skills necessary for the different roles and the whole organisation.
• Creating a dedicated physical learning area to encourage training.

3/ Tackling Hybrid working

• Redesigning office buildings as collaborative areas rather than the traditional workstations.
• Offering a lively office culture that provides the opportunity to learn from others, build new relationships and socialise after work.
• Investing in technology to support flexible and hybrid models of working.

4/ Tackling Culture

• Creating a strong sense of purpose that is shared throughout the organisation, implemented by a strong leadership team that authentically represents and communicates the organisation’s purpose, values and culture.

5/ Tackling Productivity

• Increasing staff ‘buy-in’ and engagement through providing easy and transparent channels for them to provide ideas and suggestions.
• Building confidence in how people data and analytics are stored and used to enable full engagement and productivity.

The continuing and unpredictable disruptions we are seeing in the business landscape – inflation, energy shortages, supply chain bottlenecks, changes in employee attitudes and behaviour – mean that circumstances can change quickly. HR professionals and team leaders, more than ever, have to predict trends and react quickly. Having the knowledge and connections to keep abreast of the latest recruitment trends, innovations and best practice has never been more important.

Winmark’s network for Chief Human Resources Officers and HR Directors provides the opportunity for knowledge-sharing and learning within an exclusive community of peers. Regular roundtable sessions led by experienced Chairs, advisors and senior directors provide the opportunity to debate and discuss issues relating to people issues, leadership and strategy.