We wish all of our colleagues, clients and
friends personal and professional growth in 2013. The year ahead will be
challenging; pundits suggest that economic growth will be slow and slight
across the globe, with an aversion to risk in established sectors/economies and
a marked slowdown in the maturing BRIC
economies. There are, however, a number of value and belief systems that view
2013 as an auspicious year. At apt, we believe that this year, and the years
beyond, are much like those behind us: focused on transformation. Our
clients have shared their agendas for the year ahead, and we’ve noted some common focus:
·
Driving
Innovation: Building the tools and culture to
institutionalize innovation while reducing risk. This is no small challenge and
requires planning, methodical focus and patience. The race to meet demand
entails a decidedly different approach to leadership: shifting takes effort and
consistency over time.
·
Leadership
Diversity: More women are moving to “C suite” roles than ever before, and,
with the focus on women on boards, this is likely to continue. We expect strong
efforts to further diversify leadership, not only embracing ethnic and
geographic diversity, but an increasing bias for stylistic diversity. Diversification
will challenge recruiters and may offer some surprises to middle management.
·
Integration
and Cultural Assimilation: The “work to live” ethos of those entering
today’s workforce is acutely perplexing to management. In tough economic times,
there is an expectation of gratitude and loyalty. Helping new workers and
existing managers to unbind their assumptions; to experience and understand
action and motivation without assumptions, is a key challenge critical to
effective recruitment, retention and engagement.
·
Reducing
Fixed Cost: Successive years of
recession fueled optimization have left many companies wondering what is left
to tackle. Shifting large expenditures from a fixed to variable cost basis is
high on the 2013 priority list. We anticipate a greater emphasis on variable
compensation, seasonal/cyclical/as needed workers and co-sourcing. Challenges
are not limited, however, to opportunity identification, planning and
implementation but the on-going management of a new and different model of
business.
· Social and Digital Media: It
is here. Most everyone is using it, but businesses are still challenged to
determine how best to integrate social and digital media vs. enlisting it as a
distinguished platform. We believe that tech savvy, “around the box” (both
inside and out) thinking and outcome based metrics that reflect core business
results are key to integrated optimization.
·
Return
to Location: Technology and the rise
of skilled outsourcing have driven globalization and worker flexibility for the
past decade, but a contrasting “headquarter/location bias” is emerging,
characterized by recall of off-shored functions, increased executive travel and
a reduction in worker flexibility to ease operations. If elected, care must be
taken to build the communication and operational rigor needed to avoid regional
siloes, which started the driver toward
globalization and flexibility.
Success in these endeavors will depend on
quality transformation management, professional development and organizational
design.
Change is afoot at apt talent
partners, as well. Over the past five years, we have learned your
business and your market; counseled and coached your leaders; teamed to develop
your clients and your people and; strategized,
planned and implemented hundreds of plans, policies and programs to tackle new
challenges and triumph over old ones. We have enjoyed working with you
and are grateful for the trust you have placed in us, time and again.
In reviewing our business and its future, Vidya and I have recognized that we must either
grow our team substantially or move on to new challenges. Our personal career
interests are deeply rooted in “client work”, and we know that apt’s growth or
merger would require us to focus our time internally. As a result, we have
elected to “move on” and have accepted no contracts extending beyond April 1st.
Our partners, PeopleResults, Objective
HR and Hanover Stone Partners, will be available to provide our clients
with quality project resources, and select members of the apt team will remain
available for direct contract opportunities. We will be reaching out
to each of our clients over the next few weeks to discuss specific transition
requirements, and to assure that all files and project collateral are
accessible before closing our client portal.
Vidya and I will, of
course, always be available to provide transition, referrals, guidance or
candid opinions to each of you. We hope to maintain the valued relationships we
have built with you over the past several years. We look forward to an exciting
year of change.
Best regards,
Stephanie
