eye on the Working smarter rather than harder has long been a business mantra, so why do we seem to be working harder than ever? Human Capital looks at workforce planning and some of the latest analytic HR tools on the marketplace
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Consider just for a moment the challenges facing HR directors across the nation right now. Not only are there unprecedented demographic challenges, but the patchwork economy is generating its own unique hurdles. In the high speed economy – mining, oil, gas – there are undoubtedly issues of attraction and retention and getting the remuneration strategy right. In the lower speed economies there are challenges around engagement and attraction. However, there is one pressing issue that Fiona Reed, principal in Mercer’s human capital business, says carries across all industry sectors: having the right people in the right job at the right time. It boils down to workforce planning. Unfortunately this is an Achilles heel for many organisations. “A fundamental issue here is the lack of sophisticated workforce planning in organisations,” says Reed. “In my observation, it’s only really come onto the table in the last 12 months.” Part of the problem, Reed believes, is that many organisations are driven by annual financial planning, so