To say that the current economic and geopolitical situation is a challenge is something of an understatement. Tariffs. Trade wars. General wars. Cost of living crisis – whichever way you look it seems there’s more complications, more challenges and less opportunity for businesses to relax, build and concentrate on growing or flourishing.
And yet that's what employees live for. A workforce will be motivated, content and engaged if they see their work delivering growth, improvement and generating increased reward. They will be less so if there are constant barriers up ahead, or if, despite all their efforts, the general status remains the same.
This puts HR in a difficult situation. On the one hand it is their remit to ensure employees do stay motivated, ready and willing to contribute to the business, but on the other they need to be sensitive to the pressures and stresses their workforce is under too. At the same time, the last thing that should happen is that the workforce become regarded as an increasing cost to the business – unwilling to go the extra mile when the business needs it most, not ready to be flexible or committed to what the business needs.
In the context of this challenge, Cezanne have published a report to help HR identify the way forward at this time. Backed by exclusive research from a wide-reaching survey the report offers a great insight into what business leaders see as the biggest challenges during financial downturns and what HR can do in response.
The report details:
- What HR teams should prioritise during tough financial times
- How HR can build and maintain trust within their workforce
- What can be done to reduce excessive staff turnover
- What line managers believe should be their priorities during a cost-of-living crisis
Make no mistake, this is not an easy time for HR. Strong leadership is required, clear thinking and decisive action is the order of the day. Moreover, if HR responds with clarity and determination at this time, it will demonstrate its ability to take the business forward and assume a leadership position at the head of the company.
Amidst all the uncertainty, one thing stays constant: businesses need people who can adapt, grow, and drive innovation – no matter what the markets are doing. And that’s exactly where smart HR teams step in. Not just indicating the right way forward, but ensuring the organisation has the right skills and people on hand to make that a reality. In other words it can be difficult to see the way forward without considering the work of HR and it can be impossible to go forward without the work of HR.
This makes Cezanne’s report is a must-read for HR professionals looking to safeguard their people and their business in these tough times. The report is packed with eye-opening insights and reveals what business leaders see as the biggest threats during downturns, and therefore what HR should focus on to stay ahead.
From building trust to reducing costly staff turnover, from supporting line managers and employees this is the essential guide to surviving (and thriving) when the pressure’s on.
