Why you need an agile talent strategy – and how to build one

You’ve likely heard the buzz about ‘agile talent strategies’ – the next big thing in talent recruitment across industries. It may sound like just another pandemic employment fad, but many top companies around the world have been leveraging agile talent to gain expert knowledge without a big overhead, solve interim needs, and increase income while avoiding additional fixed costs. 

Today, 71% of human capital and c-suite leaders in 18 markets plan to shift more roles to contingent, project, or contract to get work done, the highest percentage in the report's history and a 15-point increase from last year. - Randstad Sourceright 2022 Talent Trends 

Let’s start by defining what an agile talent strategy means.

An agile talent strategy is leveraging a combination of full-time employees and experts that operate outside of an organization (like freelance or contract workers) to contribute to your company’s projects or events. In other words, companies are tapping into the freelance economy to find skilled independent professionals that work in conjunction with a company’s internal employees. 

Agility is key to staying in business., and sustainable talent strategies are more important than ever. The pandemic disrupted how industries operate from the ground up, and the ground is still unsteady with political unrest, a looming recession, and a shortage of talent. 

Like it or not, the talent game has changed. 

“Not since the industrial revolution have companies really had to think about work design, about what tasks get done and where do those tasks get done, and when and how do you deconstruct work so that it’s done in an optimal manner.”  

-Nickle LaMoreaux, Chief Human Resources Officer, IBM

While there is no denying agile talent strategies play a utilitarian role in today’s workplace, the real value lies in how they drive businesses forward by:

  • Unleashing human potential

  • Elevating products and services

  • Increasing talent retention

What is important to note is that both employers and workers both believe freelance is the future.

EA study by Randstad US showed by the year 2025, most workers (70%) and employers (68%) agree a majority of the workforce will be employed in an agile capacity (i.e. contractor, consultant, temporary or freelance)

Don’t get left behind! Start building your agile talent strategy today. Get started Learn more here.

 

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  • The State of Talent 

  • Evaluating your talent needs 

  • Building a sustainable talent infrastructure 

  • Leveraging independent talent and the freelance economy 

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