CATALYST Issue 2 | Page 12

Future Proof W How Deloitte is embracing the open- talent economy To meet the needs of a disrupted ‘future of work’, Deloitte is approaching workforce strategy in a more flexible, holistic way, writes Laurence Collins, Partner and Consulting Leader for the Future of Augmented Workforce Strategy. alexandermannsolutions.com 12 hen discussing total workforce, a key element is looking at how we embrace automation and the open-talent economy. Our work has emanated from a recognition of seven forces with which clients are reckoning: The change in nature of a career. Every five years people are refreshing their skills to explore new career avenues. An explosion of contingent and freelance work: in terms of the people wanting to work like this and firms accommodating it. Advances in cognitive and artificial intelligence, providing opportunities to blend human and non- human workforces. Business is technology. Looking at what tech means for core business models and how customer propositions impact on the skills needed and jobs created. The reduction of mundane tasks: machines doing the routine; people doing the purpose. Generational changes. An ageing workforce in developed economies and population growth in other markets. A massive explosion in data, as a result of all the above. Imagine an organisation as a domed structure, creaking from all sides as each of these seven forces impacts upon it. Organisations’ response, historically, has been to hire more people on permanent contracts, who sit on the balance sheet. But this isn’t always the optimum profile for organisations to thrive in the new disrupted future of work. My team and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7