Lucy Spencer

HR Strategy

LUCY SPENCER | March 24, 2021

In 2020 the job market changed drastically. The global pandemic led to thousands of businesses shutting down or slimming down, resulting in a high level of unemployment. Some saw this as an opportunity to change their role or start their own business, whilst others just took any work they could get to earn an income. The future is still uncertain, but the face of employment is unlikely to return to its pre-2020 state. So, what will jobs look like in the years to come? There are already an increasing number of businesses embracing conscious business practices, as employee’s health and the environment are seen as just as important in a company’s success as the company’s financial health. You may ask why the environment is coming to the forefront. Well, it’s evident that we can’t continue to treat the planet as we do. The way we’ve gone about using its resources in the past is unsustainable. We have a finite amount of the fuels typically used in the last century available on the planet, so need to adjust to using natural resources. Our use of fossil fuels has also caused a great deal of harm to the planet. Businesses need to take responsibility and commit to drastic action to help the planet heal so future generations have a home. The environmental agenda of a company is therefore something that potential job hunters will assess in the future when job hunting. As for the importance of employee’s health… When employees are happy and healthy, it leads to a better working environment for all, and each employee is more motivated and productive. This is why companies are now operating specific wellbeing programmes, becoming increasingly creative about what they have in place for their employees. Things like fruit in the office and corporate gym memberships were once the pinnacle of employee wellbeing options. Now businesses are being more flexible about working hours, ensuring employee’s feel they have a voice and are empowered in the workplace, and are provided with opportunities to learn new skills. This could naturally result in a new employment ‘norm’. As employees look to consistently improve their wellbeing, they could choose to seek happiness through variety. One role, however well managed, can be seen as a limitation on their potential. People will therefore take on multiple part-time roles to fulfil their differing passions. For instance, they could obtain some of their income from a creative role such as being a writer, with other income coming from a leadership role in a business. Some roles will be for an existing company, whilst others may require the individual to start their own business. Now this isn’t a new concept in itself. Entrepreneurs have been working in multiple roles for decades to allow themselves to work simultaneously on differing types of projects. Yet in the future this will become the standard for the majority of the world’s workforce. Earning money will no longer be the reason a person is in a particular role. It will be a by-product, as developing yourself in roles you’re passionate about takes priority. This new look form of employment isn’t far away. Each month more people are questioning what they do to earn a living, with the desire to do something that truly makes them happy increasing. In order to retain employees that are enthusiastic about their role, businesses will have to listen and take action. So, get ready. Which of your passions do you wish to pursue in the future? How will this translate into roles?

LUCY SPENCER | January 08, 2021

Traditionally a business’s focus has been on driving the bottom line. The sales team would be in competition with each other to make the most sales as they eyed up the ‘Sales Person of the Month’ award and the ‘Sales Person of the Year’ reward of a luxury holiday. In this situation the ego was their friend. However, over the past few decades limitations have been spotted in this business approach, which has led to harm of both the employees and the company, so businesses have encouraged employees to leave their ego at the door. This is certainly apparent in a conscious business where it’s understood that employees will work together and support one another; teamwork is key. In fact, in a conscious business the structure of the business and business practices all underpin this. There is a belief that every employee plays a part in working toward achieving the mission. Transparency is important, allowing everyone in the company to regularly review the mission, values and plans. This ensures that all employees are working in accordance with them. Some companies even encourage each team member to contribute wherever possible to the company practices, so they really feel part of the company and embody its ways of working. When you show up to work with ego, you want to be the star player. In a conscious business everyone is a star player. Every idea matters. A good idea can be built upon to create truly innovative solutions, whilst bad ideas highlight what a solution shouldn’t incorporate… which can be invaluable. Mistakes are welcomed as they can be learnt from. Acknowledging and analysing them can turn an overall good idea into a great idea. It’s this ethos that leads to employees going out of their way to support each other. The values in a conscious business also encourage the team to prioritise the wellness of themselves and others. This is a big change from the time when working practices typically led to stressed out employees and potential burn out. In a conscious business you’ll find values like care and empathy. They are evident as the team collaborate on projects, impacting the way they communicate with each other. For instance, care could be seen in the words chosen when talking to a colleague or the tone used, helping to boost the other person rather than deflate them. Values promoting good health are also seen in the company benefits. Perhaps the company allows flexible working, or they offer great maternity/paternity options. Maybe the company offers a gym subscription or has fruit available in the office. There are a multitude of ways to promote the health and wellness of your team, highlighting just how much every employee is valued.   Where the ego once drove sales as people strived to be the number one employee, now its customer service. This isn’t just in terms of the support available to clients, but the amount of thought going into products to ensure a client gets exactly what they need. Providing value to a customer is paramount and the more value provided, the better. A conscious business will go as far as passing a client to another company, who once would have been seen as a competitor, if they realise that other company can actually meet the client’s needs better. This builds strong relationships with potential clients and other businesses. It can also lead to collaboration between companies as they combine their strengths to create new products for the market. With new ways of working that places heightened value on collaboration and wellness, there just is no room for ego in a successful company. In place of a toxic, harmful environment created in a company where every individual is in it for themselves, there’s now a culture that thrives on improving the wellbeing and happiness of each employee. This creates dedicated employees, a strong business and loyal clients. So where does ego sit in your business?