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Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today
Strategic Recommendations for Future-Ready Organisations
In an era of unprecedented technological advancement and shifting workplace dynamics, organisations are reimagining their approach to employee engagement. Our extensive research, spanning over three decades and encompassing partnerships with more than 2000 organisations across 20+ industries in the last year in India, reveals fascinating insights into how companies are navigating this transformation. As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work® brings industry- leading research and data to help every organisation build a culture of excellence.
The AI Revolution: Building Trust and Capability
The integration of artificial intelligence into workplace processes presents both opportunities and challenges. Recent findings from the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer highlight a critical divide: while 38% of employees embrace AI when managed effectively, 43% reject it under poor implementation. This underscores a fundamental truth–the success of AI adoption hinges on leadership credibility and transparent communication.
Our data reveals a compelling correlation: when employees express strong confidence in their leadership team's judgment, 92% feel valued, and 93% report being part of an innovation-celebrating culture. When employees trust their leaders' decision-making abilities, they are more than 2 times as likely to feel engaged and valued in their work. These sentiments are important indicators of a culture that fosters innovation. This relationship between leadership trust and innovation readiness becomes particularly crucial as organisations navigate the AI transformation journey.
The future workplace demands an intentional balance between technological advancement and human-centric approaches.
Upskilling: The cornerstone of future readiness
Through our partnerships with hundreds of CXOs from India Inc., we've observed that growth and development consistently rank in the top three among employee priorities for workplace improvement. This aligns with our finding that upskilling and reskilling talent has emerged as the top priority for Indian workplace leaders in 2024. Organisations that excel in this area typically implement comprehensive development programs that combine technical skills with essential soft skills, preparing employees for the future.
Industry-specific evolution and challenges
Different sectors are experiencing varying trajectories in employee engagement. While some industries like Manufacturing, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals show improvement, others face unique challenges. The IT sector has faced headwinds to growth, creating uncertainty among employees and straining trust within organisations. As a result, one in five employees now question their job stability, expressing heightened concerns about job security.
Our proprietary framework and research methodology have helped us identify specific trends across industries:
Looking at training and development scores across sectors reveals interesting patterns:
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Training and development scores reveal promising trends across sectors, with most industries scoring between 80-84%, indicating a consistent and strong commitment to employee growth. Retail and Healthcare continue to set benchmarks with innovative approaches, such as leveraging AI for personalised customer experiences and streamlining patient care. Emerging sectors like Construction are incorporating sustainable building practices and cutting-edge design tools, showcasing their readiness to reshape industry norms.
A critical success factor: The 'wellness imperative’
Our For All™ Model has identified workplace well- being as a crucial driver of organisational success. However, several concerning trends emerge from our research:
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One in four employees hesitate to discuss stress, burnout, or anxiety without fear of judgment.
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In response to declining workplace wellness scores in 2023, organisations are implementing initiatives to support employee growth and engagement. A leading organisation has developed a global AI-driven talent marketplace called MyPath that aligns employees with projects and opportunities based on their skills and aspirations. This platform fosters internal mobility, encourages cross-functional collaboration, and enhances skill development. It empowers employees to advance their careers while addressing critical organisational needs.
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE-READY ORGANISATIONS
1. Embrace change with empathy and strategy
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Launch comprehensive training programs focusing on digital literacy and AI understanding.
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Introduce technologies like AI, automation, or AR gradually start with pilot programs, test thoroughly, gather feedback, and refine as needed. Invest in upskilling employees to ensure smooth implementation and maximise value for both employees and customers.
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Target high-value areas like personalised customer experiences or enhanced employee productivity through smart tools.
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Foster cross-generational learning through reverse mentoring, where tech-savvy Gen Z employees guide senior leaders on emerging platforms and technologies, ensuring inclusive and forward- thinking strategies.
2. Prioritise holistic Development
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Create personalised learning pathways aligned with both individual and organisational goals. For example, another leading organisation launched the V-Learn Calendar, an open platform offering a wide range of skill-building programs. Employees have the flexibility to enroll in virtual, instructor-led workshops on various topics, conducted through platforms like Skype and MS Teams.
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Foster mentorship programs that facilitate knowledge transfer across generations.
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Encourage cross-functional skill development to build versatile teams.
3. Build psychological safety and wellness
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Implement robust mental health support systems with confidential access.
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Show genuine interest in employees by actively listening to their perspectives and addressing their individual needs. Establish open feedback channels at all levels, promoting honest dialogue and learning from mistakes without fear of judgment.
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Recognise and celebrate diverse perspectives and contributions.
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Develop comprehensive wellness programs that address both physical and mental health, ensuring they extend to immediate family members.
As we continue our mission of helping organisations build High-Trust, High-Performance Cultures, we've witnessed firsthand how these strategies translate into sustained business results. The future workplace demands an intentional balance between technological advancement and human-centric approaches.
Success in this new era requires more than just implementing new tools or policies. It necessitates creating an environment where every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their best. The journey ahead is both challenging and exciting. Organisations that successfully navigate these changes continue to lead by example, creating workplaces that attract and retain the best talent while driving innovation and growth. Through our continued partnership with leaders from India Inc., we remain committed to transforming India's workplace culture.
*Mr. Balbir Singh, CEO of Great Place To Work India and an alumnus of IIM Calcutta, brings over 20 years of experience in strategic operations and client management. He is committed to the mission of making India a Great Place to Work FOR ALL by leveraging data-based insights and best practices that enhance workplace culture.
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Mr. Balbir Singh
Chief Executive Officer - Great Place To Work® India
Owned by: Institute of Directors, India
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the articles/ stories are the personal opinions of the author. IOD/ Editor is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in those articles. The information, facts or opinions expressed in the articles/ speeches do not reflect the views of IOD/ Editor and IOD/ Editor does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
