Making work ‘work’

Economic volatility, AI, and evolving employee expectations are reshaping the way organisations operate. HR leaders are tasked with not just responding to these challenges but also proactively shaping the future of work, ensuring that their organisations remain resilient and competitive in an ever-evolving environment.

Join Mark Philips, Head of Consulting, Mercer Workforce Solutions, as he moderates a discussion with other Mercerleaders on how HR can tackle these challenges and transform disruption into opportunity. Together, they will explore three critical strategies that organisations must prioritise: enhancing employee experience, fostering continuous skills development, and leveraging HR technology.

Host:

Mark Phillps, Partner, Workforce Solutions, Mercer Pacific

Guests:

Cynthia Cottrell, Workforce Solutions Leader, Mercer Pacific

David Guazzarotto, Digital HR and Technology Advisory Leader, Mercer Pacific

Emma Webb, Employee Experience and Culture Senior Associate

Learn more, visit our website: https://www.mercer.com/en-au/insights/talent-and-transformation/podcast-making-work-work/#episode22

Are we still in the hype phase, or have organisations come to peace with AI? In this episode, host Cynthia Cottrell and Mercer’s Global Business Solutions and Innovation Centre Leader, Jean Martin, explore AI in the workplace – in both its current and potential future state.

Cynthia and Jean discuss the ‘productive anxiety’ that HR executives grapple with as AI continues to evolve, which gives rise to uncertainty on how to effectively leverage the technology. This leads to discussion about the challenges and opportunities that come with AI adoption, including the risks of overestimating AI's capabilities and concerns around data privacy.

They also talk about the role of AI agents, the importance of redefining human potential within organisations, and HR's role as custodians of both AI and employee data.

The episode wraps up with an exciting preview of Mercer’s People Insights platform and AI-based job matching and grading tools, which promise to revolutionise HR functions.

Tune in for ideas and considerations when it comes to using AI in your workplace.

Listen and discover

• State of AI in organisations
• AI as a HR digital colleague
• Why HR executives feel ‘productive anxiety’ regarding AI
• Managing the risks of AI adoption
• Redefining human potential in organisations
• HR as custodians of AI and employee data
• New Mercer solutions that will transform how HR works

Learn more: ⁠https://www.mercer.com/en-au/insights/talent-and-transformation/podcast-making-work-work/the-impact-of-generative-ai-on-hr-and-the-workforce/

Host: Andrew Lafontaine, Partner, Workforce Solutions, Mercer Pacific

Guests:

Nithya Abraham, General Market Leader, Digital & Insights, Mercer Pacific

Don Barrera, Client Engagement Manager, Digital & Insights, Mercer Pacific

Description:

Drawing insights from the latest releases of Mercer’s Total Remuneration Survey (TRS) and Australian Benefits Review (ABR), this episode highlights a shift in the job market dynamics, where salary budgets are stabilising and employers are regaining power as hiring slows and turnover rates decline.

Tune in to hear more about:

Visit our website to access the reports:

https://www.mercer.com/en-au/insights/talent-and-transformation/podcast-making-work-work/

Host: Andrew Lafontaine, Partner, Workforce Solutions, Mercer

Guest: Shane O'Neill, Host of the HR Community Podcast

In this episode, Andrew Lafontaine, Partner and Workforce Solutions leader at Mercer, and Shane O'Neill, host of the HR Community Podcast, talk about Andrew’s 25-year career journey from teaching degree graduate to his current role as

Tune in to learn more about: 

This conversation was originally published on the HR Community Podcast: https://thehrcommunitypodcast.buzzsprout.com/

To learn more about the Making Work ‘Work’ podcast or to contact Mercer, visit our website: https://www.mercer.com/en-au/insights/talent-and-transformation/podcast-making-work-work/

The goal of AI is not to replace workers but to create a new constellation of jobs and skills. In this episode, Cynthia Cottrell, Workforce Solutions Leader, Mercer Pacific and Ravin Jesuthasan, Global Transformation Leader, Mercer, discuss the importance of organisations understanding how AI can substitute, augment, and transform work and being intentional in their approach to AI to ensure its ethical implementation.

They highlight the value of designing work in a way that democratises access to AI and allows for the productivity gains from AI to be shared equitably with employees.

By leading with the work, being adaptable and becoming AI fluent, business and HR leaders can navigate the transformative era of AI and create a work environment that harnesses the full potential of employees while prioritising their well-being and growth.

“Leaders should educate themselves and their workforce about AI, its potential, and how it can transform work.” Ravin Jesuthasan, Global Transformation Leader, Mercer

“As an optimist, I believe in the power of technology to augment human performance. I see AI as a tool that can unlock sustainable performance, with humans at the forefront.” Cynthia Cottrell, Workforce Solutions Leader, Mercer Pacific

Tune in to learn more about:

• The new opportunities and jobs created by AI and the potential talent gaps

• Being proactive in preparing for the future by educating the workforce about AI, experimenting with AI tools within safe zones and incorporating AI into work design

• The role of HR leaders in driving the upskilling and reskilling to efforts to adapt to the changes brought about by AI

• Democratising access to AI and ensuring that the productivity gains are shared equitably.

References:

Mercer 2024 Global Talent Trends https://www.mercer.com/en-au/insights/people-strategy/future-of-work/global-talent-trends/

Tech Council of Australia https://techcouncil.com.au/newsroom/ai-to-create-200000-jobs-in-australia-by-2030/#:~:text=2%20July%202024%20%E2%80%93%20Artificial%20intelligence,by%20Microsoft%2C%20LinkedIn%20and%20Workday

Woolworths Launches Scan&Go Trolley https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/au/en/media/latest-news/2024/woolworths-launches-scanandgo-trolley.html

Books by Ravin Jesuthasan https://www.ravinjesuthasan.com/author/

To learn more or contact us: https://www.mercer.com/en-au/insights/talent-and-transformation/podcast-making-work-work/

Imagine a company where every employee, regardless of their location, has equal access to learning opportunities, career growth and experiences. A company where the ability to solve client problems and deliver a differentiated service is amplified by the diverse expertise and perspectives of a connected global network of skilled employees.

Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of skills-powered organisations (SPOs) with Amy Baxendale, Global Capability & Workforce Readiness Director at Arcadis. With 36,000 employees in over 30 countries, Arcadis embarked on their journey to become a SPO nearly two years ago. Amy, who is spearheading this transformation, shares the valuable lessons she has learned along the way and the secrets behind their transformation journey.

Insights for HR leaders in this episode

Ready to unlock the power of skills in your organisation? Tune in now and take the first step towards your transformation today.

Discover how organisations can bridge skills gaps through data-driven strategies. Download the skills guide: https://www.mercer.com/en-au/insights/talent-and-transformation/skill-based-talent-management/skills-powered-organization-in-the-age-of-ai/

In a world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, the demand for skilled talent is reaching critical levels. As HR leaders and practitioners, it's crucial to address these skills shortages and find innovative ways to retain and develop top talent. 

In this episode we explore the career journeys of a former rugby captain and a talented artist. Through their unique experiences and unconventional paths, we uncover valuable insights that will inspire you to reimagine your talent model, skills development program, and employee value proposition. 

Discover how transferable skills can bridge the gap between industries and roles and unlock untapped potential within your organisation.  

Host: Emma Webb, Senior Associate, Workforce Transformation, Mercer Pacific. 

Guests: Dean Mumm, National Manager - Corporate Sport, Marsh Australia and Georgina Lee, Principal, Employee Experience & Culture, Mercer Pacific

To learn more visit: https://www.mercer.com.au/our-thinking/workforce/podcast-making-work-work.html 

Organisations in every industry are looking for ways to increase productivity. But rising levels of employee burnout and a decline in trust show the potential cost. Could AI be the answer?

We had over 12,000 C-suite executives, HR directors, employees and investors contribute to our Global Talent Trends 2024 study and we their input helped us uncover four trends that are shaping the people agenda this year:

We explored each of these trends in a recent webinar attended by over 400 HR and business leaders. You can listen to the insights here or watch the replay:

https://www.mercer.com/en-au/insights/people-strategy/future-of-work/talent-trends-to-unlock-human-potential-in-an-ai-world/#webinar

“To ensure that the Australian workforce truly benefits from the gains of AI, we have to shift the productivity discussion from doing more with less to doing work with less effort.” Cynthia Cottrell, Workforce Solutions Leader, Mercer Pacific

To learn more and for the episode references, visit:

Host: Courtney

Guests: Lang Ip, Principal, Workforce Analytics, Mercer, and Anne Le Blanc, Principal, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, Mercer

Do you want to build more confidence around your organisation’s pay decisions? In this episode, Mercer Workforce Solutions leaders discuss the factors contributing to the gender pay gap and share practical interventions to help close it. They explore an always-on approach to diversity and inclusion which promotes a more inclusive and equitable workplace. The conversation covers:

Tune in and take a step towards closing the gender pay gap.

To learn more and for the episode references, visit: https://www.mercer.com/en-au/insights/talent-and-transformation/podcast-making-work-work/

In this episode, Mercer’s Paul Hennessy, Australian Sales Leader and Dean Tulloch, Leadership & Talent Practice Leader discuss the links between effective leadership and organisational success. They explore the leadership behaviours that bring out the best in teams and the need to set clear expectations to build a stable foundation for collaboration. The discussion also delves into the challenges of succession planning and offers insights into how organisations can plan a smooth transition of leadership. They also cover the importance of having the right people and organisational design to execute strategies successfully. The conversation further highlights the role of cultivating a culture of transformation and the need for consistency in implementing change initiatives. These insights will provide valuable guidance for leaders and organisations striving for growth and success.

Topics covered:

•Leadership behaviours that bring out the best in teams;

•The importance of working with diverse teams;

•Addressing the challenges of succession planning;

•The need for the right people and organisational design to execute strategies;

•Culture transformation and the importance of consistency in implementing change.

To learn more, visit: https://www.mercer.com/en-au/insights/talent-and-transformation/podcast-making-work-work/