Randstad survey sees talent analytics and flexi-working as the future

These will be the key factors in sourcing, nurturing and retaining talent in the coming times.

With a rapid influx of innovative technologies, especially data analytics in businesses, HR is also witnessing a sea change in the way it functions, and is anticipating a more advanced outlook in the coming times. A recent survey on HR transformation in the IT sector, conducted by Randstad Technologies, the IT staffing business within Randstad reveals interesting figures reflecting the same outlook.

According to the survey, a whopping majority of 95 per cent of the 600 HR leaders in the IT sector agreed that talent analytics, which includes utilisation of various software tools to manage several people-related aspects, will play a critical role in sourcing and retaining talent in the next 5-10 years.

Amongst the other trends that will define the future of work, flexible working options will be a much sought after deal for talent. 91 per cent of the respondents believe that it is the openness to flexibility in work that will help employers attract increasingly mobile talent. This is followed by the changes that automation will bring, as 82 per cent respondents agreed that increasing automation will shift the talent needed in an organisation to highly skilled roles.

As per the survey, some of the other critical success factors to retain and nurture talent include defined career and growth plans, followed by compensation and benefits and a culture that fosters innovation.

Moorthy K. Uppaluri, MD & CEO, Randstad India says, “In this business and organisational context, an HR leader’s role today includes donning IT as well as marketing hats to leverage technology and digital platforms for talent acquisition, employee engagement as well as learning and development. Getting the right talent tops a CEO’s agenda and owing to the criticality of this, HR has clearly earned a place in the boardroom today. The role of HR is more important than ever.”

The report also reveals that 56 per cent of the HR leaders from the IT sector in India mentioned that HR is fully aligned with their organisation’s vision and strategy. But, only 29 per cent thought that they own a place at the table and are accorded the status of ‘strategic partners’. Despite IT being a mature, people-driven industry, the survey findings also indicate that 46 per cent of the HR leaders from this sector described their current role as just ‘business enablers’.