HR Elevate: People & Tech News [Edition #17]

November 8th

Hey there, folks! Welcome to Edition 17 of HR Elevate. Buckle up, because we're shaking things up this week. After compiling these articles for 17 weeks straight, I had a bit of an "aha" moment. It hit me that we've been circling the same topics over and over, like a dog chasing its tail.?

Nothing is really changing. The topics remain stuck on things like AI for HR, RTO mandates, layoffs, HR transformation, productivity, skills, etc … I’m not dismissing the importance of these topics, rather calling out that lack of progress and reluctance to make change.

Remember the early 2000s? Sales and marketing went through this crazy transformation. Tech exploded, and those revenue teams? They jumped on that bandwagon faster than you can say "ROI." Now, it's HR's turn to step up to the plate. But here's the thing - HR is like the last kid picked for dodgeball when it comes to tech advancement in business.

While everyone else is zipping around on hoverboards, HR is still trying to figure out how to tie its shoelaces. We've got AI practically begging to help us out with everything from hiring to keeping employees happy. Data analytics? It's just sitting there, waiting to revolutionize how we plan our workforce and manage performance.?

But for some reason, a majority of businesses are stuck in first gear.

Is it because businesses are scared? Is it that HR teams are not getting enough support? Or maybe people just don't know where to start? Maybe execs just don't care ... Whatever it is, it's time to get over it. This is HR's moment to shine!

The whole business world is watching, waiting for HR to finally join the 21st century.

You have the tools, the knowledge, and trust me, you've got the mandate. So what's stoping progress? It's time to stop talking and start doing. Be the change. This is your opportunity to redefine work, to make it something people actually look forward to on Monday mornings.

The ball is in your court. What's it gonna be?

<<stepping off my soapbox>>

Below are this week's articles,

Enjoy ??

TL;DR:

→ HR is stuck

→AI and digital transformation

??→ HR's crucial role in future work success

→ Mental health and workplace stigma

→ Gen Z challenges and preferences

→ Engineering talent shortage

→ Reskilling HR for the future

→ Team performance optimization

→ Creative generative AI implementation

AIs impact on talent trends and HRs role in digital transformation

URL: https://hrnews.co.uk/top-talent-trends-for-2025-ais-impact-hybrid-hurdles-skill-gaps/ Publisher: HR News (05/11/2024)

Overview: AI is reshaping talent trends for 2025, influencing hybrid work models and highlighting skill gaps in the workforce.

Key Points:

• AI adoption is accelerating, with 75% of companies planning to increase AI investments in the next 18-24 months
• Hybrid work models are evolving, with a focus on balancing flexibility and in-person collaboration
• Skill gaps are widening, particularly in AI and data analytics, prompting organizations to prioritize upskilling and reskilling initiatives

HRs critical role in digital transformation success

URL:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hrs-involvement-will-make-or-break-digital-transformation-success-in-the-future-of-work-new-research-from-mclean--company-302296929.html Publisher: PR Newswire (07/11/2024)

Overview: New research emphasizes HR's pivotal role in driving successful digital transformation initiatives in organizations.

Key Points:

• HR involvement is crucial for aligning digital transformation with organizational culture and employee needs
• Effective change management led by HR can significantly increase the success rate of digital initiatives
• HR leaders must develop digital competencies to effectively guide transformation efforts and workforce adaptation

Reducing stigma around mens mental health in the workplace

URL:https://hrnews.co.uk/six-steps-to-reduce-the-stigma-around-mens-mental-health-in-the-workplace/ Publisher: HR News (06/11/2024)

Overview: The article outlines six strategies to address and reduce the stigma surrounding men's mental health in professional settings.

Key Points:

• Encouraging open conversations about mental health can normalize the topic and reduce stigma
• Providing mental health training for managers helps create a supportive environment for all employees
• Implementing flexible work policies can support better work-life balance and mental wellbeing

Gen Z challenges for managers and workplace preferences

URL: https://www.hrdive.com/news/gen-z-is-stressing-managers-out/732254/ Publisher: HR Dive (06/11/2024)

Overview: Managers are experiencing stress in managing Gen Z employees, while Gen Z seeks stability and work-life balance.

Key Points:

• 82% of managers report stress in managing Gen Z employees due to differing work expectations and communication styles
• Gen Z prioritizes stability and work-life balance, challenging traditional workplace norms
• Effective management of Gen Z requires adapting leadership styles and fostering open communication

Addressing the engineering talent shortage

URL:https://www.hrdive.com/news/companies-need-engineering-talent-but-where-are-the-engineers/731982/ Publisher: HR Dive (03/11/2024)

Overview: Companies face a significant shortage of engineering talent, prompting the need for innovative recruitment and retention strategies.

Key Points:

• The demand for engineers continues to outpace supply, creating intense competition for talent
• Companies are exploring alternative talent pools and investing in upskilling programs to address the shortage
• Retention strategies, including competitive compensation and career development opportunities, are crucial for maintaining engineering talent

Reskilling HR for the future of shared services

URL: https://hrexecutive.com/reskilling-hr-for-the-future-navigating-the-shift-to-shared-services/ Publisher: HR Executive (07/11/2024)

Overview: The shift towards shared services models in HR requires significant reskilling and adaptation of HR professionals.

Key Points:

• HR shared services models are becoming increasingly prevalent, necessitating new skills for HR professionals
• Data analytics and digital competencies are crucial for HR professionals in shared services environments
• Change management skills are essential for HR leaders to guide organizations through the transition to shared services

Unlocking peak team performance

URL:https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2024/11/05/teams-need-these-four-components-to-unlock-peak-performance Publisher: HR Brew (05/11/2024)

Overview: Research identifies four key components essential for teams to achieve peak performance in modern work environments.

Key Points:

• Psychological safety is fundamental for fostering open communication and innovation within teams
• Clear goal alignment ensures all team members are working towards shared objectives
• Continuous learning and adaptation are crucial for maintaining high performance in dynamic environments

Creative implementation of generative AI for employees

URL: https://www.thehrdigest.com/getting-creative-with-bringing-generative-ai-to-employees/ Publisher: The HR Digest (07/11/2024)

Overview: Organizations are exploring innovative ways to introduce generative AI tools to employees, focusing on practical applications and ethical considerations.

Key Points:

• Companies are developing custom AI assistants tailored to specific job functions and industry needs
• Ethical considerations and data privacy are paramount in the implementation of generative AI tools
• Training programs are being developed to ensure employees can effectively and responsibly use AI tools

That's all for this week!

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