HR has gone through a massive amount of evolution in the last number of years. In particular, HR analytics has been kicked into high gear and this trend isn’t going anywhere in 2020. Even though it’s not a new trend, analytics is still not being used in the best way, so companies who want to be ready for 2020 should be hiring HR professionals with analytics experience and driving data-driven decisions within their HR functions.
HR analytics will be vital in solving critical HR problems, especially when it comes to attracting and retaining talent The importance of attracting permanent talent into businesses is still a huge driver, so HR need to focus not only on ways of attracting talent but retaining talent and how to increase overall productivity, using technology and data.
Using data is vital and having the analytical skills to pull key insights from that data is what will make the best HR professionals stand out. However, it’s important not to get lost completely in the world of analytics and HR tech because in a candidate-starved market, it is the more holistic and human approach that will be needed to attract, retain and engage the best talent. This has become even more important as roles within HR have branched out and talent acquisition has become its own function.
RECRUITERS managing director Gerard Doyle said many of their clients have used terminology around preparing for the workforce of the future and, as a result, have sought out HR professionals with strong L&D backgrounds.
“HR professionals with a capacity for managing change and developing middle and senior line managers with a blended learning approach are in high demand,” he said. “The outlook for 2020 is positive as employers embrace HR initiatives that encourage employee retention and development. This is good news for the next generation of HR professionals who are vying for positions at senior and board level.”
Learning and development has truly bedded down within the HR industry and employers will be looking for those who can nurture the talent they already have, help them in their career development and ensure their workplace wellbeing is taken care of. In our 2020 Business Outlook Survey within our Salary Predictions Guide, career opportunities were among the top three staff retention tools, which highlights the importance of the L&D function.
Download 2020 Salary Predictions Guide
In the past, employees may have felt that the HR function within their business is somewhat disconnected to the rest of the business and therefore out of touch with how employees really feel and so cannot sufficiently keep them engaged and happy. But workers’ happiness at work is one of the most important elements when it comes to staff retention and so, HR needs to understand how their employees work, what makes them tick and what challenges they face. Only then will HR professionals truly be ready for the 2020 workforce.
Looking for your next move in HR? Talk to Gerard Doyle by email at gerard.doyle@recruiters.ie or on the phone at 353 1 632 5024. Short on time? Simply register your CV here and Gar will receive it directly.
Wrote from contributions across the RECRUITERS team
