NextConomy: the future of work & the gig economy.

August 13, 2018 Mike Smith

HR automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence. The widening skills gap and a tighter labor market. The growing freelance labor pool and a demand for more flexible work. All are converging at once on HR leaders in EMEA.

Michael Smith, Randstad Sourceright’s managing director for EMEA, sat down with NextConomy to discuss the HR trends he’s seeing and to help talent leaders understand their options: “There is scarcity in some sectors that will only increase in the coming years. This trend requires companies to look differently at the labor market. My advice? Embrace alternative work forms. Map your internal talent. Look across national borders.”

Smith adds that 87% business leaders surveyed in our global Talent Trends survey are eagerly using technology to attract and retain talent. This trend can change the recruiter’s job from a process-based role to that of a talent advisor, one that serves as a strategic partner to the business overall. “They [talent leaders] can pay more attention to personal contacts, creative designs and innovative workflows,” he says.

Other topics covered in the Q&A session include higher unemployment among older workers, training and reskilling, attracting freelance talent and more. You can read the entire interview here (in Dutch) and download Randstad Sourceright’s MSP Playbook for additional insights on maximizing the use of a contingent workforce.

 

about the author

Mike Smith

As chief executive of Randstad Enterprise, Mike Smith intentionally drives a culture of innovation and collaboration across our Enterprise businesses to build long-term client relationships with the world’s largest corporations. He consistently brings Randstad's “tech and touch” thinking to client conversations to solve complex talent challenges and create sustainable business value and agility.

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