Transforming HR

We’re on the cusp of a machine-augmented revolution in the future of work, fuelled by workers’ evolving expectations and businesses’ changing needs. Making this transformative shift will demand a keen focus on agility and sustainability. It will also require building a smarter HR function and delivering more consumer-like experiences to keep pace.

To thrive in this age of change, HR needs to evolve from its legacy as a steward of employment to become a steward of work. HR’s legacy role was designed to ensure the silent running of the enterprise — enough people with the right skills, available at the right time and price. This often led to one-size-fits-most talent and workforce solutions that were built for efficiency. As AI and the democratisation of work exponentially increase the velocity and variability, progressive HR functions are redefining their mandate to become stewards of work. They are enabling talent to connect to work as seamlessly as possible while meeting more talent on their individual terms, bending the demand and supply curves of work in a fundamentally different way.

With HR at the helm, businesses can build a more intuitive, human work experience that places people at the heart of this transformation.

Sustained transformation requires an ecosystem approach rooted in change and designed for fluidity. Transformation is successful when it creates trust in every interaction, when people and the business thrive in every experience, and when HR is empowered to transform every day.

Leaders say sustainability is the number one driver of transformation for their businesses — and when it comes to risk, it’s also their number two concern. Yet only 31% of CHROs say they’re working on sustainability initiatives.

Instead, more than half of CHROs are still focused on enhancing the employee experience and delivering a compelling employee value proposition (EVP).

But keeping promises to both the business and the workforce doesn’t have to mean juggling competing priorities. Improving the employee experience can be an integral part of building sustainable people practices and delivery models — and workforces that can go the distance.

With generative AI rapidly transforming the digital HR landscape, requiring new skillsets and specialised knowledge, there’s never been a better opportunity for the HR function to position itself as a strategic partner to the business.

Transformation is a people issue, and HR is at the heart of the redesign that will support, transform and improve the way we deliver HR services. Real transformation is an ongoing cycle of shaping and delivering solutions that align with workforce, HR and business goals to drive meaningful change. It requires a clear focus on strategy, activating that strategy and deploying it, and continuous improvement of all capabilities.

Partnering with Mercer means embarking on a journey to empower HR to deliver both the experience people deserve — and the impact the business needs. We help you excel by championing three pivotal principles: Trust, Thrive and Transform.

As experts on all things work and workforce, we’re with you throughout your entire transformation journey. With our breadth of services, you’ll have access to a wide range of expertise and solutions to streamline your consulting needs. We’ve led hundreds of HR transformation initiatives over the past two years  by offering a tailored, personalised approach to ensure alignment with organisational goals and culture.

Our transformation leaders are pushing the industry and our clients to the forefront of trends, developments and best practices. In an era of continuous evolution, Mercer can help you stay ahead of the curve by taking proactive steps with actionable solutions to drive better business outcomes.