Sponsoring and Supporting Future Talent

Why It Is So Important

Quentin Roach, Chief Procurement Officer - Senior Vice President, Global Supplier Management and Global Workplace & Enterprise Services

 Much is being discussed – in social media and across the halls and meeting rooms in so many businesses – about the future workforce (Next Generation employees from the Millennial and GenZ groups) and its impact on the future of the business world. How the workplace will need to adjust to not only welcome future generations, but to create ways to embrace and support incoming employees to truly excel is an extensively discussed topic. Certainly, creating an environment and culture which ensures all can contribute, excel, grow and thrive is essential. And, clearly, what needs to be done to be the employer of choice - to identify, integrate, invest and inspire the best of the future workforce - is incumbent on all managers and leaders to ponder and act upon.

 Changing workforce demographics show that the future workforce is coming and is needed:

·        in the US, over 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day

·        in the EU, workers aged 55+ make up over 16% of the workforce today

·        the generation (GenX) following Baby Boomers is a significantly smaller working population

These statistics highlight the changing workforce, the significant shift to a multi-generational employee group, and the need to prepare for the next generation of employees and future ways of working.

 I have the pleasure of working with the Next Generation Network and have learned so much by engaging with our entering colleagues. First, I have learned to listen more. Without any doubt, they enter the working world with as high ambitions for their professional and personal growth as any others, and they generally bring strong technological readiness and acumen. A recent US employee benefit enhancement was significantly supported and advocated for by the NGN as a meaningful way to attract and retain next generation colleagues. Their perspectives and views are valuable in understanding what the future workplace might need to entail.

 Secondarily, the broader focus on organizational purpose, inclusion and environmental sustainability are examples of the future areas of enhanced importance that align well to the Mission and work of the company. Likewise, the desire for meaningful, frequent, transparent and swift feedback on the progress of work items will challenge past managerial practices of most people managers. The ability to support – and I submit sponsor, mentor or reverse mentor– the next generation is a brilliant opportunity as we work to Fortify Our Future and prepare for the new ways of working within the company.

We have welcomed Millennial colleagues and are now greeting GenZ employees – who present some further generational opportunities; focus on increased work-life harmony; blend high touch and high-tech; desire new ways of recruiting, Learning & Development, and performance management; and further the focus on Diversity & Inclusion. I hope that all of us will continue to act as supporters, mentors and sponsors for the next generation of colleagues that are the future of the company. The wisdom and intellectual transfer from person to person and generation to generation will continue the globally impactful work of our company.