The new shape of work

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Businesses are reinventing in response to COVID-19. The new shape of work reflects a focus on values critical to business success. More flexible, sustainable work models and business practices are the keys to helping companies address today’s realities an

Mercer


    • Apr 30, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 26m AVG DURATION
    • 57 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The new shape of work

    The Skills-Powered Organizations: A conversation with Standard Chartered

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 33:43


    Kate Bravery, Global Leader of Talent Advisory at Mercer, is joined by Ravin Jesuthasan, Mercer's Global Transformation Leader, and Tanuj Kapilashrami, Chief Strategy and People Officer at Standard Chartered Bank, to discuss The Skills-Powered Organization: The Journey to the Next-Generation Enterprise, their recently released book.Together, they explore the concept of skills-powered organizations and their transformative potential in the workplace. They discuss the shift from traditional job structures to a focus on skills as the currency of work and highlight the need for organizations to adopt a systemic approach to talent management that aligns with business strategy. Tanuj shares insights from her experience at Standard Chartered Bank, detailing how they integrated skills development into their growth agenda and engaged employees in the transformation process. Ravin stresses the importance of understanding the economic implications of skills-powered practices and the need for organizations to be agile in responding to changing work demands.

    Using the power of data to drive pay fairness and transparency

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 31:49


    In this episode, Gordon Frost, Mercer's Global Rewards Solution Leader, emphasizes the importance of using data to improve pay fairness and transparency within organizations. He is joined by Deena Harvanek, Change and Communication Leader at Mercer, and Will Self, Workforce Strategy and Analytics Leader at Mercer. Together, they discuss the rising awareness of pay disparities, recent legislative changes requiring pay transparency, and the growing employee expectations for fairness and clarity in compensation. They also explore how proactively utilizing data for informed decision-making and effective communication can help create a positive workplace culture.

    Delivering the Future of Work at Anglo American: the CLO role

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 33:56


    In this episode, Kate Bravery, Talent Advisory Leader, interviews Tim Walker-Jones, Chief Learning Officer at Anglo American, about the evolving role of the Chief Learning Officer and the future of work. They discuss the increasing importance of talent agility and the need for continuous learning in response to rapid changes in the workforce and technology. Tim shares the significance of a long-term vision and proactive agency in shaping the future of work, highlighting the need for collaboration and innovative approaches to skill development.

    Bridging the gap: C-Suite and HR priorities for success in 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 44:29


    Join Kate Bravery and Gord Frost and they share a preview of the results from both Mercer's 2024-2025 Global Talent Trends survey report and 2025 Executive Outlook survey. They cover the evolving landscape of human resources, focusing on the critical role of employee engagement and retention, the importance of harnessing data-driven insights to create a thriving workplace culture that attracts top talent. They also share the similarities and differences in the priorities of HR, CEOs and CFOs as they look at the path forward in 2025.

    A microscope on total rewards: Trends for 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 27:42


    The demands on the total rewards function are quickly changing. Listen as Kate Bravery and Gordon Frost discuss the increasing challenges HR professionals face as they navigate pay transparency, economic uncertainty, and the integration of AI in total rewards strategies. They highlight the importance of addressing pay gaps, aligning compensation with organizational philosophy, and preparing for upcoming legislative changes. The conversation underscores the need for HR leaders to leverage data effectively, enhance their understanding of skills-based compensation, and foster transparent communication with employees regarding pay practices.

    The realities of HR's role in AI with Susan Youngblood

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 29:42


    HR professionals are moving along the AI adoption path to focus on the practical application for their teams and workforces. In this discussion, Kate Bravery is joined by Susan Youngblood, founder and CEO of Chief People Solutions for a discussion about the training needed to adjust to the fast-moving changes in GenAI, how the role of HR is shifting and becoming more appealing, and the opportunities for deeper returns on investment. 

    Balancing AI value and risk with Jason Tamara Widjaja

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 39:23


    AI is evolving quickly, and organizations are trying to keep up. It seems that everyone is on the Generative AI journey, but there's a broad distribution of maturity along the path. In this episode, Kate Bravery is joined by Jason Tamara Widjaja, Executive Director of Artificial Intelligence at MSD, to discuss the benefit of thinking about the quick evolution of generative AI and the benefit of viewing it through the lens of both value and risk.

    Thinking big: Talent and growth in the Middle East and India

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 30:03


    The Middle East and India have tremendous growth ambition and are making great strides toward their goals. But fast growth also comes with talent management chalenges. In this episode, Lisa Lyons, Mercer's Regional Transformation Center for Excellence Lead for Middle East, India and Africa talks about workforce trends, challenges and opportunities in the market. Through the conversation they discuss the impact of GenAI on work, the focus on developing skills for the future, and the role of HR in helping employees prepare for work and workforce changes.

    Total rewards reinvented: Harnessing the potential of GenAI

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 34:05


    While organizations have been exploring how AI can support their productivity and growth across many functions, one area that has been taking a more cautious approach is the Total Rewards function. With a variety of confidential data about employees managed by this team, there is an understandable hesitance to jump in too quickly. But there is also a risk of not being at the table to help shape how AI will used in the HR function.

    Pay fairness and transparency: Rewards for the modern workforce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 20:46


    In this episode, Kate Bravery and Gordon Frost of Mercer explore how employee expectations and legislative imperatives are reshaping total reward strategies with the shift to pay fairness and transparency.

    The Journey to agile HR. Insights from Rabobank

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 39:02


    Janine Vos of Rabobank shares the challenges and opportunities on the path to becoming an agile HR team, and the mindset shift that is crucial to the transformation.

    AI and productivity: People at the center of sustainable change

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 33:31


    Are we positioned to access the full potential of AI-driven productivity gains when 82% of employees feel at risk of burnout?

    Step out of your comfort zone with Wanda Wallace

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 26:35


    Wanda Wallace shares the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, knowing when it is time to move on, and building supportive relationships in your organization.

    Embracing AI in the rewards function

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 43:33


    In this episode, we speak with Martin Smit, Head of Global Compensation Solutions at Takada, about Generative AI in the rewards function, the opportunities for GenAI to improve efficiency and productivity, as well as ideas to help employees become more comfortable with AI tools. 

    Maintaining a People-Centric Culture at Volvo Cars

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 32:16


    Hanna Fager shares how the focus on long-term employment and investing in people's development supports performance and culture at Volvo Cars.

    10 truths for winning in the people age

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 37:46


    In this episode, we are sharing practical guidance for making sustainable people mangement work in today's global economy. The advice shared comes from a new book from called Work Different: 10 Truths for Winning in the People Age.

    Revolutionizing HR: The Impact of AI and skills on HR transformation

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2023 40:18


    The use of generative AI can enable HR teams to work more efficiently with data, find talent with future-fit skills, and enhance the employee experience. What steps are employers taking to embrace this transformation?

    From protection to prevention: The shift in workplace well-being

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 34:07


    The conversation around well-being is expanding from health into new areas including financial well-being, job quality and even social isolation. Workplaces can be powerful communities to influence improved well-being outcomes. How are employers tapping into the opportunity?

    Think and be digital: How AI will improve jobs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 36:29


    The fast pace of change has employees exhausted, but adding AI into the HR digital transformation has the potential to enhance jobs in the future. Jason Averbook joins our podcast to share three pressing trends for the future of HR.

    How Novo Nordisk paved the path for inclusive business transformation

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2023 33:42


    How did HR and IT at Novo Nordisk collaborated to elevate DEI as a critical piece of the business transformation agenda? Listen to the journey they took and what they see moving forward.

    Benefits in transition. How Ericsson is enhancing the employee experience

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2023 28:32


    Transforming total rewards programs to create consistent and cost effective benefits offerings for employees can be an effective way to attract and retain top employees. In this episode we share the total rewards transformation journey Ericsson has taken to enhance employee experience while reducing benefit costs and risk. Read here for more information about New Shape of Work.

    Work Here Now: Think like a human and build a powerhouse workplace

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2023 32:14


    How can we do things differently today to improve the future of work? Melissa Swift shares practical fixes to basic things that are wrong with work. Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Infosys placed skills at the center of rewards for success

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 27:34


    Organizations are looking for ways to win the war for talent. In this episode, Nandini Nathan, Group Head of Compensation and Benefits at Infosys, talks about how putting skills at the heart of the talent and reward processes has been critical for their success. Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    People are central to success in M&A deals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2023 22:39


    In this episode Jeff Black, Mercer's Global M&A Advisory Leader, shares how organizations need to understand the talent they have and ensure they have people, with the right skills and in the right roles, to make an M&A deal move forward effectively. Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    AI at work: What is shifting and how HR can help

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 38:52


    Today we'll be diving deep into Generative AI to discuss how generative AI is impacting the workplace, and more critically how we can at an individual and organizational level prepare ourselves for its impact. Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Refocusing on employee experience in a challenging market

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 42:11


    Employee engagement is critical, but as people rethink their relationship to work, organizations have an opportunity to improve their approach engagement. Hear two of our specialists sharing their ideas on how organizations can refocus on employee experience. Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Embracing equity, inclusion and belonging

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 19:24


    In the discussions about the evolving future of work, the idea of transitioning from traditional roles into skills-based work has many people excited. But it brings with it a challenge that we cannot overlook. According to our Global Talent Trends study, women tend not to believe that the skills that they have today could be suitable for a role they might move in tomorrow. This brings concern for gender equity in the future of work. Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Attract and retain the talent you need

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2023 24:51


    Organizations worldwide are facing big challenges. Whether it is talent shortages, inflationary challenges and how they affect compensation, or recession concerns in different countries, 2023 is starting as a challenge. Our conversation today features three global experts from Mercer talking about these talent challenges and opportunities. Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Prioritizing a living wage with Yara

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 15:48


    Forward-thinking organizations are reinventing themselves under the new shape of work as responsible, innovative employers making proactive commitments to good work. In this episode, hear how Yara International is working to ensure a living wage across their full time employees. Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    How the economy is influencing business and people agendas

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 9:38


    In this episode, we speak about the current economic situation and the potential impacts on the business and people agendas in 2023. Amelia Hadfield the Head of the Department of Politics, Dean International at the University of Surrey Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Addressing the human energy crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2022 21:20


    We are seeing a human energy crisis in workplaces today. People are feeling especially depleted and HR is concerned that if we can't bring back people's energy, the whole conversation around returning to the office is a non-starter. In this episode, we hear about the four types of energy as well as how we need to work collectively as individuals and organizations to recognize and resolve the human energy crisis. Eren Rosenfeld Managing Director, Leadership at The Energy Project Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    The ROI of supporting employee mental health

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 25:16


    Employees have been bruised by the events of the last two years and many are feeling a form of despair, anxiety and a lost sense of belonging. While the road ahead still appears rocky, employers can provide mental health options to help cultivate a feeling of belonging, encourage psychological safety, and provide tools and training to help struggling employees find the support they need. Wolfgang Seidl, Leader of workplace Health consulting in the UK and Europe for Mercer Marsh Benefits Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Total rewards at the center of innovation at SAP

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 29:19


    The employee reward landscape is adapting to better support new ways of working and it is becoming a critical lever in culture change. In this episode, Chetna Singh, Head of Total Rewards at SAP, shares how total rewards goes beyond compensation and benefits to support transformation and innovation for employee culture and careers. Chetna Singh, Head of Total Rewards at SAP Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Radically transforming HR with BMW

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2022 20:45


    In this episode, we are talking with Moritz Kippenberger, head of HR services at BMW group, about how HR needs to radically transform the way it operates to survive post-COVID. And, the role of employee experience can play to ensure that the jobs that we have are attractive today and offer growth path for skills of the future.

    Delivering workforce security and flexibility with Unilever

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 23:07


    Workplace flexibility is high on the business agenda and, as a result, organizations are looking at adjustments to their work operating model. This has big implications for people responsible for talent management. In this episode, Placid Jover, Unilever's VP HR for Latin America, talks about a new approach to talent management that balances the need for critical skills and workforce flexibility to help both the company and employees succeed. Guest: Placid Jover, VP HR for Latin America, Unilever Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Help employees thrive with total wellbeing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2022 14:19


    Executives ranked total well-being as one of the top employee initiatives that will deliver ROI in 2022. Learn what employees are looking for from their employers based on the Health on Demand research, and how employers are responding by offering new and innovative benefits programs. Guest: Nicole Passmore Cohen, Principal, Advice & Solutions, Global Health & Benefits at Mercer Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Redesigning work, working and the workforce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 15:24


    Employers are managing through a tremendous amount of change. In this episode, Ravin Jesuthasan and Brian Fisher with Mercer discuss employers' need for agility, and how technology, new operating models and cultures need to come together to help employers be successful in the future of work. Guest speakers Brian Fisher, Global Skills Solutions Lead Mercer Ravin Jesuthasan, Global Transformation leader Mercer Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Blending Talent and Transformation ambitions with Bayer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2022 28:04


    At its core, transformation is more than just business model transformation, it is also about people. We can start the transformation journey by thinking about the needs of our people and our cultures to help us define the path forward. Guest speaker Sarena Lin, Chief Transformation and Talent officer with Bayer Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    How men can break the bias

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2022 16:05


    With men still holding the majority of the positions of power in the global workforce, gender equality will simply not happen without their involvement. Join us as Mercer's Angela Berg discusses how to equip men to participate in the DEI journey and how embedding DEI across the organization can lead to competitive advantage. Guest: Angela Berg Global Diversity, Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    A revitalized vision for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2022 23:18


    COVID-19, racial and social unrest, and a growing ESG agenda have accelerated the need for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world. Join as Till Leopold and Gitanjali Chaturvedi from the World Economic Forum discuss how companies can make a positive societal change as part of their own sustainability agendas. Guests: Till Leopold and Gitanjali Chaturvedi with the World Economic Forum Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Progressing ESG and sustainability goals

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2022 16:57


    At this stage in the pandemic, many organizations are finding themselves on growth trajectories again. But, those growth trajectories need to be sustainable and factor in environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals to meet the expectations of employees, customers and investors. Guest: Kai Anderson, Transformation leader for Mercer Europe Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Progressing ESG and sustainability goals

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2022 16:57


    At this stage in the pandemic, many organizations are finding themselves on growth trajectories again. But, those growth trajectories need to be sustainable and factor in environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals to meet the expectations of employees, customers and investors. Guest: Kai Anderson, Transformation leader for Mercer Europe Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Reskilling employees to win the war for talent

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2022 15:09


    In part two of our conversation with Tripti Jha, we discuss the importance of skills, building a skill-fueled culture, and how you might approach the talent marketplace as a way to bring in new skills to the organization, and to build skills more effectively in the organization. Guest: Tripti Jha, Chief Talent and People Solutions officer at Novartis Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Employee well-being is a core part of your business culture

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2022 29:13


    Tripti Jha, Novartis discusses the shift away from seeing well-being as a benefit, as well as how the unbossed culture journey that Novartis started prior to the pandemic has allowed them to focus both on understanding and meeting employee needs, and working toward their vision and purpose for the future of working. Guest: Tripti Jha, Chief Talent and People Solutions officer at Novartis Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Evolving for the new shape of work while optimizing for today

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2022 31:37


    David Henderson Group CHRO at Zurich Insurance shares how the future of work has shifted during the pandemic; the critical role that upskilling and reskilling play in having an organization that can perform today and stay relevant tomorrow; and the role of psychological safety as they build toward work sustainability. Guest: David Henderson, Group CHRO at Zurich Insurance

    Addressing people risks in the US healthcare industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2022 22:46


    The healthcare industry faces a variety of significant risks from rising demand for service, rapid technology adoption and a workforce on the front line of the pandemic response. We discuss these issues and ideas on how providers can address these issues now and in the near future. Guests: Gisele Norris, Managing Director, US National Healthcare Practice at Marsh, and John Derse, Partner, Healthcare Industry at Mercer Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Addressing people risks in the US healthcare industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2022 22:46


    The healthcare industry faces a variety of significant risks from rising demand for service, rapid technology adoption and a workforce on the front line of the pandemic response. We discuss these issues and ideas on how providers can address these issues now and in the near future. Guests: Gisele Norris, Managing Director, US National Healthcare Practice at Marsh, and John Derse, Partner, Healthcare Industry at Mercer Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Is the future of work agenda shifting?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2022 12:48


    The workplace and the workforce has changed at an accelerated pace. It's clear that we're still figuring out how best to respond to this new landscape. We're diving into how the future work agenda has been reset, and what individuals, companies and societies do to thrive in this new world order. Guest: Till Leopold, World Economic Forum Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Flexing to support growth at Pandora

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2021 30:04


    77% of companies said that flexibility is going to drive their transformation agenda this year according to our Global Talent Trends research. Companies are looking to understand how to develop a more flexible workforce and work model. Our guest shares the flexibility journey Pandora is taking. Michele Wilkinson, Chief Talent Officer at Pandora Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Factoring DEI data into business decisions at GE

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2021 18:48


    Organizations' are increasingly focused on ensuring that different populations of their employees are truly thriving. Join us as we speak with Travis Barton, Talent manager and analytics leader at GE to hear the proactive steps that GE has taken on the path to a more diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment. Guest: Travis Barton, Talent Manager and Analytics Leader at GE Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

    Leading the way on diversity

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2021 17:58


    The pandemic has magnified the impacts of social inequality. There is more awareness of racial discrimination, gender inequalities, and mental health challenges. It is more critical than ever for companies who want to remain relevant and best positioned for the future to have leaders committed to DEI. Guests: Angela Berg, Mercer Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and engagement practice partner and David Jackson, Mercer talent strategy partner Website: https://bit.ly/2XAZ7pp

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