Ahead of the AESC global conference Sustaining Growth in London on November 15, Bart van Ark, Professor of Productivity Studies at Alliance Manchester Business School and Managing Director at The Productivity Institute, spoke with us about the headwinds causing productivity to stall, how this could jeopardize economic recovery and how leaders and leadership advisors can foster highly productive environments to drive sustainable growth.  Q&A with Professor Bart van Ark on Productivity Growth AESC: Multiple headwinds (the global financial crisis, COVID-19, war, political tensions, and the climate crisis) have prevented a widespread productivity improvement in the past decade and a half. If productivity continues to stall, how will this impact the economy in the future? Bart van Ark: As we have seen in the past decade and a half, a volatile economic environment with a heightened amount of uncertainty is detrimental to business investment. If firms slow their investments in physical, knowledge and human capital, productivity will slow even further. The paradox is that we are in the middle of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, during which digital transformation and the rise of artificial intelligence provide immense opportunities to raise productivity. There is a concern that the absorptive capacity of firms to adopt those [...]

Harness the Power of Digital Body Language to Build Trusting Relationships  Expert digital communication skills are key in the digital age. Daily face-to-face interactions have turned into occasional Zoom calls lacking full-body expression. Most communication is delivered in the form of short-form emails or texts, leaving room for error and miscommunication. In addition, technology issues can cause delays or cancellations. Having the necessary skills to communicate clearly, concisely and respectfully across various virtual channels can help you stand out among digital mis-communicators.   As organizations navigate hybrid and remote workplaces, digital communication skills climb the list of top in-demand skills at nearly every level: entry, mid and executive. AESC research reinforces this need for improvement and expertise, as hundreds of C-level leaders across the globe cited that communication and collaboration top the list of culture change executives would like to see in their organizations.  Improving your digital communication skills is the key to success in a hybrid or remote work environment. One of the most important skills to strengthen is digital body language. Similar to traditional body language, digital body language refers to the reliance on non-verbal body language cues via digital channels to connect with others. Strong digital body [...]

Futurist Gerd Leonhard discusses the major challenges and opportunities of shifting toward a sustainable economy in the next decade.

What Executives Need to Know About Creating Adaptable Organizations Whether we’re talking about workplaces, the global workforce or employers—adaptability is central to the future of work. In new AESC research, adaptability skills climbed to the top of the list of attributes that executives feel are most critical for the post-pandemic environment. Anu Madgavkar leads global research on labor markets and human capital as a partner of the McKinsey Global Institute. She recently spoke at an AESC global conference about McKinsey’s latest study on adaptability in the post-pandemic future of work. The findings include new information about the importance of adaptability as it applies to workplaces, the workforce and organizations. Adaptable Workplaces A recent Stanton Chase survey found adaptability and agility to be the greatest challenges facing CHROs, undeniably impacting and stifling workplace progress. As we look toward the future, organizations must seek to build an adaptable workplace for leaders, cultures and teams, effectively overcoming the major challenge. Stanton Chase offers several recommendations to create adaptable workplace environments.  The first suggestion focuses on strengthening cross-functional relationships, ensuring a greater understanding of how everyone in the organization - from the C-suite to regional employees – implements change and adapts to the latest [...]

Insights from Futurist Elatia Abate on the Future of Leadership How might we empower success in the face of great uncertainty and disruption? In 2017, entrepreneur, educator and futurist Elatia Abate put everything she owned into storage except for a single carry-on suitcase to go in search of the answer to this question. Abate was initially inspired by futurist, entrepreneur, physician and engineer Peter Diamandis, who spoke at a conference Abate attended in 2016. During his speech, Diamandis explored the technologies behind self-driving trucks and their impact on business and industry. Although excited for the innovation of the future, Abate began wondering what new technology meant for the future of employment. This moment prompted Abate’s continued research into what happens during times of large technological shift. How can human beings not just survive such an event, but thrive during it? AESC spoke with Abate to discover some of the answers she has found to this burning question and what it means for the executive talent industry. AESC: You know better than anyone that there are historic societal and demographic shifts having a major impact on organizations, and therefore leaders. What changes are on the horizon that leaders need to be preparing [...]

Consider the Following Questions to Determine Which Executive Search Firm Is Right for Your Organization  Selecting an executive search firm is much like choosing a right-fit candidate for an executive-level position. You must conduct research, create a shortlist of firms, schedule meetings with each and interview them. By meeting with the firm – either virtually or in-person – you can gain an understanding of how the firm will work and communicate with your team. During the initial consultation, it’s important you ask questions that will get to the heart of what you really need to know:   Can this search firm find the best-fit candidate, provide a smooth transition and ensure long-term success?  Will this executive search firm be a trusted advisor for current and future assignments?  When choosing the right search firm for your organization’s executive-level assignments, consider the following 17 questions to determine if the firm is the right fit for your organization and assignment:  1. Is your firm an AESC member?  By confirming an executive search firm’s status as an AESC member, you are also confirming that the organization meets a strict set of ethical standards and commits to the AESC’s Code of Professional Practice. AESC members also [...]