A new era for HR to build the organization of the future As the world of work is radically shifting, so begins the era of reinvention By Kate Barker
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that organizations can perform major transformations in days, mobilize teams in new ways never imagined, and pivot products and services to changing demands. Secondly, that people are capable of the most extraordinary innovations under the pressure of a crisis; and our well-being is of paramount importance and we have the remarkable ability to adapt, learn and grow. The challenge for many now will be to sustain that momentum to discover a new permanent state of continuous reinvention to thrive in the long term, as advances in technology constantly reset the path forward. The pandemic has thrust the human resources function into the spotlight. The pivotal role played by the CHRO in this crisis has been likened to no other. HR has APRIL 2021 |
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izations had to respond to a sudden, unforeseen crisis, rethink outdated views and establish a new set of possibilities. As the world is radically shifting, so begins the era of reinvention. Organizations have by and large met the challenges of this crisis moment. But as we move toward imagining a post-pandemic era, a management system based on old rules—a hierarchy that solves for uniformity, bureaucracy, and control— will no longer be effective. COVID-19 has proved two remarkable truths. Firstly,
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ver the past 12 months, we have witnessed COVID19 disrupting global economies, viewed communities expressing opinions on the socio-political views, and experienced profound and immediate changes to how we live and work. It has underscored the urgency for organizations around the world to radically adapt to new ways of working, redesign new business models, and accelerate digitization and automation to meet changing individual and organizational needs. Organ-
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