The human resource professionals are one of the most crucial parts of any business’ success because they are responsible for the management of the most indispensable asset in the value chain: the workforce. The chief human resource officer’s responsibilities include building agile and resilient workforces that are a win for all stakeholders. HR’s role has not changed; but the perception, mindsets, and skills around them has.
The Harvard Business Review reports that the CHRO now has the opportunity to expand responsibilities and shape the future of their organisation. There is a new dynamic forming, and HR is transitioning from a reactive management strategy to a proactive one. The difference comes down to workforce planning and using data to manage a different type of workforce.
With regards to upskilling and reskilling, HR is required to become a strategic talent management technology hub. Those that fail to adapt to the changing skill set requirements will find a significant career challenge. Digitalisation is changing everything, from core functions like the way employees get hired to how talent is developed.
Recruiting dynamics will see a change, but it will be an ongoing process, rather than an instantaneous one. Responsibilities will include the ability to use technology to make the candidate and employee experience as seamless as possible in every stage of the process. While the customer experience is now taking centre stage at many companies, the same tools that involve artificial intelligence technology to monitor customers will also be used to monitor employee happiness and engagement.
COVID-19 has caused massive disruption within the global economy and workforce. As such, organisations are scrambling to meet the demands of changing perceptions and expectations of a rapidly evolving global economy. According to the global research firm Gartner, the scale and velocity at which companies have adopted new technologies during COVID-19, is “triggering massive skill shifts,” with more than 58 percent of workforces reporting skill transformation.
The rise of AI and chatbots is another dynamic that is stealing the spotlight for HR. HR professionals are increasingly embracing AI tools for employment assessments to blind hiring to writing inclusive job advertisements. Usage of such tools are also creating new jobs on the HR team.
Just as the C-suite is rethinking the HR department’s role as mostly reactive to a more proactive strategic partner, HR professionals must make the effort to rise to the upskilling and reskilling needs to be a member of the new HR technology hub. While hard skills are essential, soft skill will continue to be just as important.
