As we get ready to flip our digital calendar pages to the year 2013, it’s worth reflecting on the directions in which our companies are likely to evolve over the coming months.
In a recent TechSling article, titled “Top Business Trends for 2013,” writer Edwin Chan outlines four trends that businesses should consider as they seek improved business processes, improved employee recruitment and retention in the coming new year.
You might contemplate these trends as possible resolutions for the New Year:
- Embracing mobile technology. There’s a growing need for businesses to recognize that smartphones and tablet devices can be used for exploring new opportunities and interacting with prospective employees. To stay on top, businesses should consider investing in recruiting processes that make use of mobile technology.
- Removing the stigma of “remote.” For many leaders, telework is still a difficult pill to swallow. Today, major companies allow their employees to telecommute at least three days per week. Employees increasingly expect that their employers will be flexible when it comes to work hours, and approaches to getting the work done.
- Using a multifactored approach to employee retention. The TechSling article cites an AchieveGlobal study in which we discovered six key factors to ensure employee satisfaction and retention, including:
- Targeted recruiting to hire workers likely to stay
- Ensuring employees have the right tools to succeed at their job
- Staying familiar with learning and development goals for employee
- Giving employees recognition and opportunities to contribute to corporate achievements
- Making connections between employees and others in the organization who can help them achieve their career goals
- Encouraging collaboration by hiring competent workers who work well with others on the team.
- Targeting global markets, by using the talents of local employees via outsourced staff.
It’s an increasingly competitive world of business, and to stay on top, takes a commitment to monitoring and adjusting strategic plans based on the latest trends.
If I had to sum it up, in 2013, it’s likely a formula for success might be found in three words: technology, telecommuting, and talent.
Sharon Daniels is CEO of AchieveGlobal in Tampa, Florida
