PG #68: Competing for talent in the post-Covid world

We’re all aware that organisations engage in competition with each other at a product and service level – in fact, within industries and markets we’ve designed rules and regulations to ensure competition, with the recognition that it leads to better outcomes for customers and communities.

We are less aware of another form of competition, including perhaps the fiercest one – the competition for talent. Businesses with switched-on, highly skilled employees who understand how to connect with clients and customers will always have an advantage over the competition.

While salary is motivating up to a point, leading organisations have an employee value proposition (EVP) that goes further. Crucially, they have historically attracted talent by offering flexible working conditions, including working from home options.

That advantage is now gone. The competition has caught up. With COVID-19, even the most stodgy, traditional companies are allowing employees to work from home. If organisations want to retain their talent advantage, they’re going to have to level up their employee value propositions.

Paper Giant has been thinking about the employee experience for some time now, but I’d be very interested in how your organisation is approaching this – if you have time, please share your thoughts by replying directly to this email or messaging me on LinkedIn.