Let's wrap up 2020!

Kia ora from me as we count down the last days of the year!

I think we’re all ready to say goodbye to 2020 (if we weren’t by mid-April, that is), but before I sign off for the year, I wanted to take some time to reflect on the top 3 lessons we learnt this year and take a punt at some predictions for next!

TOP 3 LESSONS

1. It’s ALWAYS a good time to focus on culture

Regardless of the trials and tribulations of this year, the organisations who continued to lead with a people-first approach and who kept their culture centre stage found themselves in a much stronger position than those who were short-sighted in response. According to Glassdoor, company culture and value ratings across their Culture 500 companies were at an all-time high from April to August, the early months of COVID-19. A positive culture, according to Forbes, can enhance employee productivity and creativity, as well as enhance the company’s profitability and growth rate, so it’s important to get it right. The lesson learnt? Culture should ALWAYS be the priority.

2. Never waste a crisis

Although it’s easy to focus on all the negatives that this year has brought, with crisis comes opportunity. Over these last 12 months, we have seen great innovation come to the fore. From telehealth appointments to contact tracing to a race to a vaccine, we’ve seen innovation on a global scale to drive positive change in these challenging times. In the corporate world, we’ve also seen changes to the way things are done, such as the rise of the virtual event and perhaps most impressive, the speed at which companies nationally were able to mobilise as soon as we went into lockdown.

According to Talent’s Global Hiring Manager Survey, only 58% of APAC workforces were set-up to work from home prior to COVID-19. As of May 2020, however, this had jumped to 88%, well and truly propelling us into the digital age. Those companies who adapted quickly and realised the value of measuring outcomes rather than hours are reaping the benefits now. Those who failed to adapt faced the risk of being left behind.

3. The art of communication

Communication was arguably one of the most pivotal leadership skillsets required this year. With over 63% of people feeling disconnected when working remotely (Talent Global Hiring Manager Survey), it was important to maintain communication with our teams to ensure everyone felt connected. As restrictions eased in NZ, it was those companies who consulted their staff and fully embraced whatever form of working best suited everyone, that are reaping the benefits now. This is now part of these companies’ EVPs and will be a key driver of attraction and retention. It pays to listen.

TOP 3 PREDICTIONS

With 2021 just around the corner, I am hopeful that we are in for a better year.

With more opportunities to be seized, it’s the year of stepping up to the plate and bouncing back to an even greater place than before. So looking back at the trends of 2020 and the lessons learnt, I have three predictions about the first quarter of next year to delve into.

1. Return of the (remote?) contractor

Over COVID, many companies have pressed pause on transformation programmes. However, unable to delay these programmes of work any longer, I predict that large organisations will press play on contractors at the same time, creating a domino effect in the market. This will culminate in a contractor shortage. I predict that we will see a rise in the offshoring of roles, as well as the growth of fully remote contracting roles and teams. That means Zoom is here to stay.

2. It’s a competitive world

With NZ’s borders likely to still be closed to international candidates in 2021, the war for top talent will reach its peak. We will continue to see demand grow for the top echelon of tech candidates, but supply simply isn’t there yet. It is now more important than ever to review your talent attraction strategy, your recruitment partners, your flexible working policies (a must), your culture initiatives, and your EVP. It’s a competitive world, so you have got to well and truly be in it to win it.

3. Purpose over everything

With a shift in focus away from security as a high motivator in the market, and with people re-evaluating their priorities due to COVID, I predict that purpose as a key driver for companies and roles will return. People thrive when they feel a sense of purpose in their work and with the opportunity for this to come to the fore once again as we see greater stability in the market, it is sure to be a strong theme in 2021.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

This year has not been the easiest, but we did it - we are now on the homestretch! I would like to wish you all a safe and happy festive season and all the best for the year ahead.

Have a lovely break!