ManpowerGroup: Simplification is Key to Winning in the Human Age

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the world leader in innovative workforce solutions and World Economic Forum (WEF) strategic partner, today asserted that businesses must remain flexible and agile in response to unpredictable macroeconomic forces, and that the only way to achieve this is through strategic simplification.        

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ManpowerGroup's new insights paper, "Simplify to Win in the Human Age: Organizational Agility a Must in Certain Uncertainty," is released today at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. ManpowerGroup shares its annual analysis of the trends impacting the world of work, explaining that the forces it has identified previously are accelerating and converging. Margins continue to decrease, creating the need to do more with less and elevating human potential as the major agent of economic growth; technological evolutions are redefining how work is done and the skills necessary to do it; and talent shortages are increasing with shifting demographics and the rising sophistication of employers who look for specific skills to meet ever-changing needs. 

"The current economic environment means businesses need to focus on what they can control — being flexible and agile to respond to ongoing change," said Jeffrey A. Joerres, ManpowerGroup CEO and Chairman. "Executed correctly, organizational simplification results in streamlined processes, aligned business and talent strategies, improved collaboration and a clearer line of sight to company goals and objectives. This ensures companies' long-term sustainability and relevance — whatever the future may bring."

ManpowerGroup's 2014 Organizational Agility Survey of more than 18,000 employers in 42 countries and territories shows that most organizations have demonstrated a commitment to becoming more agile over the past 12 months, but barriers to agility are frequently cited, including: speed of decision making, employee commitment, leadership focus, technological capabilities and workforce capabilities.

"Simplify to Win in the Human Age: Organizational Agility is a Must in Certain Uncertainty," explains that simplification must be CEO-driven and supported by a fully-aligned leadership team, with CHROs playing a critical role in implementing a one-size-fits-one talent strategy that encompasses people practices, work models and talent sources.

"Leaders must constantly challenge themselves to consider how business operations can be carried out simpler, faster and more efficiently," added Joerres. "Understanding how to unleash human potential and being thoughtful about using different work models in the face of fluctuating demand is key to driving faster time-to-value and winning in the Human Age." 

"Simplify to Win in the Human Age: Organizational Agility a Must in Certain Uncertainty" is available for download at: http://www.manpowergroup.com/wps/wcm/connect/manpowergroup-en/home/thought-leadership/research-insights/#.Ut1JFRDnZQI

Follow @ManpowerGroupJJ on Twitter and look for our official hashtag #HumanAgeEvolving for updates and news.

About ManpowerGroup

ManpowerGroup™ (NYSE: MAN) is the world leader in innovative workforce solutions that ensure the talent sustainability of the world's workforce for the good of companies, communities, countries, and individuals themselves. Specializing in solutions that help organizations achieve business agility and workforce flexibility, ManpowerGroup leverages its 65 years of world of work expertise to create the work models, design the people practices and access the talent sources its clients need for the future. From staffing, recruitment, workforce consulting, outsourcing and career management to assessment, training and development, ManpowerGroup delivers the talent to drive the innovation and productivity of organizations in a world where talentism is the dominant economic system. Every day, ManpowerGroup connects more than 630,000 people to work and builds their experience and employability through its relationships with 400,000 clients across 80 countries and territories. ManpowerGroup's suite of solutions is offered through ManpowerGroup™ Solutions, Manpower®, Experis™ and Right Management®. ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the third consecutive year in 2013, confirming our position as the most trusted brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup makes powering the world of work humanly possible at www.manpowergroup.com. Follow ManpowerGroup Chairman and CEO Jeff Joerres on Twitter: Twitter.com/manpowergroupjj

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SOURCE ManpowerGroup