Christopher J. Dwyer, Author at The Future of Work Exchange

Embracing Change, Unlocking Opportunities: A Recap of the “Future of Work Exchange LIVE” Event

Events by Christopher J. Dwyer on 06/15/2023

Did you miss the second annual Future of Work Exchange LIVE Executive Roundtable event? Well, there’s always next year, but, until then, here’s a recap of the day’s festivities.

*Ardent’s SVP of Research (and the Future of Work Exchange’s Managing DIrector), Christopher Dwyer, welcomes a packed room to the second annual Future of Work Exchange Executive Roundtable event.*

My colleague Andrew Bartolini (Ardent Partners’ Chief Research Officer) kicked off Tuesday’s conference and welcomed a packed room to a day filled with innovative insights. After a few minutes defining the Future of Work and setting the scene for the day ahead, Opptly CEO Lori Hock moderated an incredible panel discussion, “The Rising Tide of AI in Talent Acquisition,” that featured the solution’s Head of Operations, Rebecca Valladares, and Sevenstep’s Chief Solutions Officer, Paul Harty.

*Opptly CEO Lori Hock moderates an AI-focused panel discussion with Christopher Dwyer, Paul Harty, and Rebecca Valladares.*

The panel discussed how critical artificial intelligence’s impact could be in the world of talent, especially as attributes such as the candidate experience, hiring manager experience, and the role of recruiter become ever-so-crucial in a volatile labor market. Valladares spoke of the utmost importance of the technology, stating, “Ultimately, recruiters who use AI will replace recruiters who do not use AI.”

*A panel discussion on building direct access to talent, featuring Vanessa Miller (Graphite), Lizzie Parnell (RSM), and Kevin Leete (WorkLLama).*

The day’s second expert panel featured WorkLLama’s Kevin Leete, RSM’s External Workforce Lead, Lizzie Parnell, and Graphite’s VP of Alliances, Vanessa Miller. The panel, “Building Direct Access to Talent,” featured a lively conversation around the myriad ways talent acquisition is changing the ways businesses directly-access top-tier candidates. Parnell spoke about RMS’s unique “Work Your Way: An RSM Opportunity Marketplace” initiative, which prioritizes the candidate experience and encourages hiring managers to diversify their talent acquisition efforts through omni-channel sources of expertise.

*John DeWeerd and Kristen McArdle (HireGenics) join JLL’s Caitlin Klezmer to discuss why the extended workforce is an enterprise’s greatest asset.*

HireGenics’ John DeWeerd (Senior Vice President) and Kristen McArdle (SVP of Client Success), with JLL’s Senior HR Business Partner, Caitlin Klezmer, discussed the impact of today’s extended workforce during the day’s third expert panel, “Why the Extended Workforce Is Your Greatest Asset.” The panel conversed around the contingent workforce’s role during uncertain economic times, its place in the pantheon of flexible workforce strategies, and how agile talent cascades into deeper talent acquisition innovation.

Before capping off the day with an elegant Harvard Club lunch (always a highlight of any event at this prestigious venue), FOWX Live’s attendees gathered for interactive roundtable discussions on topics such as remote and hybrid work, extended workforce management, DE&I, hiring challenges, and technology strategies.

This exclusive event was dedicated to exploring the Future of Work and addressing the unique challenges presented by the evolving workforce and business landscapes. For the procurement, HR, and talent acquisition executives in the room, this was another invaluable and engaging conference to help better guide them on their Future of Work journeys.

The Future of Work Exchange Podcast, Episode 707: A Conversation With Kevin Leete, Senior Director of Sales at WorkLLama

Podcast by Christopher J. Dwyer on 06/07/2023

An all-new episode of the Future of Work Exchange podcast features a conversation with Kevin Leete, Senior Director of Sales at WorkLLama. Kevin and I discuss the power of omni-channel talent acquisition, the importance of the candidate experience, the continued impact of direct sourcing, and much more.

Removing Limitations is the True Future of Work

Business Leadership by Christopher J. Dwyer on 06/05/2023

“When a man has put a limit on what he will do, he has put a limit on what he can do.” —Charles M. Schwab

There is something to be said about the personal effects of removing “limitations” on ourselves as people and as professionals. In order for us to truly thrive, we have to leverage rationale that doesn’t limit us in any way. We must be open to new ways of thinking that can change our lives for the better, and this often starts (or should start) with embracing change in all of its forms.

If there’s anything that the business arena learned in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that change is not always a choice. Seemingly overnight, life was halted in ways we could have never imagined. Entire sports seasons were delayed and postponed, businesses were shuttered, and concepts like “lockdowns” and “social distancing” became part of everyday vernacular (as did facial coverings in any type of public setting).

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The Future of Work Exchange Podcast, Episode 706: A Conversation With Sara Gordon, SVP of Client Relationships at Guidant Global

Podcast by Christopher J. Dwyer on 06/01/2023

An all-new episode of the Future of Work Exchange podcast features a conversation with Sara Gordon, SVP of Client Relationships at Guidant Global. Sara and I discuss the continued evolution and impact of the extended workforce, insights into the changing world of work, how automation and technology are revolutionizing talent acquisition, and more.

The Top Four DE&I Strategies in 2023

Business Leadership Diversity and Inclusion Talent by Christopher J. Dwyer on 05/25/2023

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is a foundational element of the Future of Work movement. Inclusive workplace cultures, diverse workforces, and equitable treatment of talent are all critical attributes of successful organizations. Today on the Future of Work Exchange, we present an exclusive infographic, The Top Four DE&I Strategies in 2023.

Looking Back on Last Year’s “FOWX LIVE” Executive Roundtable

Events by Christopher J. Dwyer on 05/22/2023

Today’s article features a recap of last year’s Future of Work Exchange Executive Roundtable conference. Registration is now open for this year’s edition, which will be held on June 13 in Boston at the historic Harvard Club venue. Register now!

In June 2022, Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange hosted “FOWX Live,” an executive roundtable event focused on the core Future of Work topics that are driving business transformation. For many in attendance (including me!), it was the first time attending a live event since before the beginning of the pandemic.

John Healy, founder of Whrrr.work and one of the earliest Future of Work evangelists (and a former workforce solutions executive), kicked off Tuesday’s agenda with a spirited morning keynote that distilled various points of research around the Future of Work. “The way people connect with work is broken” is how John began his keynote address, discussing how the world of work has been transformed and requires new and innovative thinking regarding how businesses connect their projects with open talent-led work models.

FOWX Live featured two engaging panels:

Atrium’s Nancy Maren, Utmost’s Dan Beck, and Sage’s Jessica Wall discussed how the extended workforce has impacted today’s businesses and how modern HR and procurement leaders can effectively harness the power of both VMS and MSP solutions to not only connect the enterprise with top-tier talent, but how to also drive true innovation and agility within extended workforce management.
I joined JLL’s Caitlin Klezmer and WorkLLama’s Kevin Leete for a conversation on perhaps the hottest topic of the day: remote and hybrid work. Caitlin, Kevin, and I discussed how businesses are adapting to fully-remote and hybrid workplace structures, as well as how talent engagement and talent acquisition strategies are shifting to account for the desired flexibility in the candidate pool.

One of the major highlights of FOWX Live was the ability for attendees to converse with each other at “roundtable” sessions on core Future of Work topics, such as remote/hybrid work, DE&I, contingent workforce management, and technology strategy. These roundtable discussions featured lively discourse around these important areas of the Future of Work movement, and when it came time to “switch” roundtables (attendees could spend 30 minutes each at two different topic-led tables), it was tough for everyone to wrap up the conversations! Truly a highlight of this week’s event.

MA State Rep. Josh Cutler closed out the day as a special guest lunch keynote; Rep. Cutler was a prominent member of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Future of Work Commission. He spent the lunch hour discussing the report’s major findings and how they were applicable to both professionals and businesses alike.

John Healy discusses why the way people connect with work is broken.

FOWX Live attendees listen to Christopher J. Dwyer’s opening address.

Jessica Wall, Dan Beck, and Nancy Maren discuss the agility and power of the extended workforce.

FOWX Live attendees spend the afternoon networking and conversing about remote work, DE&I, contingent workforce management, and technology strategy.

The “FOWX Live” Executive Roundtable Is Back…Join Us In Boston on June 13

Uncategorized by Christopher J. Dwyer on 05/15/2023

Last year, the Ardent Partners team hosted the inaugural Future of Work Exchange LIVE (“FOWX Live”) executive roundtable event, which saw executives from around the globe connect, converse, and network around topics such as the extended workforce, remote and hybrid work, the evolution of talent acquisition, services procurement, etc.

The second annual edition of our exclusive executive roundtable series returns on June 13 in Boston at the historic Harvard Club venue. Join us for an engaging and exciting event in the heart of Boston as we discuss the topics that are driving change in the world of work and talent.

This event will bring together thought leaders and industry experts to explore key topics such as the impact of technology, the changing nature of work, and strategies for attracting and retaining top talent. Whether you’re looking to optimize your procurement processes, revamp your talent acquisition strategy, or improve your HR practices, this event is for you.

Don’t miss this opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and gain valuable insights that will help you drive success in your organization. Register now to secure your spot at the Future of Work Exchange LIVE executive roundtable event in Boston on June 13. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Five Major Shifts Transforming Businesses Today

Business Leadership by Christopher J. Dwyer on 05/04/2023

The world of work and talent continues to evolve, especially in the face of global uncertainty. Over the past few years, enterprises have experienced a variety of “Future of Work accelerants” that have forever altered the ways they address how work is done. In the next edition of the Future of Work Exchange‘s exclusive infographic series, we present The Five Major Shifts Transforming Businesses today.

The Link Between Direct Sourcing and Talent Sustainability

Direct Sourcing Talent by Christopher J. Dwyer on 05/01/2023

In just a few weeks, Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange will publish their Direct Sourcing 2023: Scalable Processes, Sustainable Talent research report. “Talent sustainability” is a key focal area not only for direct sourcing strategies, but greater talent acquisition initiatives, as well. Let’s revisit a critical piece from 2022 on the link between these talent-driven programs.

Many HR, talent acquisition, and contingent workforce program leaders overlook particular phases of direct sourcing, especially talent curation and segmentation, since they have been conditioned to manage their processes within the confines of a traditional contingent workforce management (CWM) initiative that follows more procurement-oriented procedures (i.e., supply management, heavy cost focus, etc.). Even under a centralized CWM program, the most critical direct sourcing strategies and capabilities require more time, focus, and resources than what is typically available with non-employee workforce management.

For example, talent curation is a critical piece to the direct sourcing puzzle and is considered crucial to the entire hierarchy of the process. In a direct sourcing program, recruiting expertise (via an MSP, talent curation partner, etc.) curates talent for the business, ultimately helping its client build a deep talent cloud or community using a series of augmented approaches, including branded job portals, targeted ads and recruitment marketing campaigns, and artificial intelligence-led candidate matching. The solution that is leading the direct sourcing program can also leverage the organization’s brand power to attract potential candidates, as well.

While some enterprises maintain deep pools of talent that are more “general” in scope, these may not be effective from an agile workforce perspective. Organizations typically overlook talent pool segmentation and maintain a single repository of talent pool candidates; this failure to segment is a missed opportunity to build a nimbler approach to finding candidates based on geography, skillset, role, etc. Talent pool segmentation enables enterprises to better “organize” their candidates for easier, faster, and better alignment with future requirements, as well.

A typical first step in talent community segmentation is to conduct due diligence around candidate skillsets, past work history, compensation, proficiency, and overall enterprise hiring alignment. Segmentation is what allows a business to be more dynamic in how it addresses its talent needs. It also answers many current sourcing challenges while fostering relationships with candidates with emerging and new skillsets or expertise.

By spending more time in the initial phases of direct sourcing (and, subsequently, executing consistent maintenance of internal talent communities/pools), businesses are able to build a more seamless bridge to “talent sustainability,” which the Future of Work Exchange defines as a by-product of leveraging workforce solutions (such as extended workforce technology, VMS, etc.), direct sourcing channels, and both private and public talent communities, etc. to build self-sustaining outlets of talent that 1) map to evolving skills requirements across the enterprise given product development and the progression of the greater organization, 2) reflect existing expertise and skillsets across the enterprise that can be leveraged for real-time utilization, and, 3) allow hiring managers and other talent-led executives to leverage nurture and candidate experience strategies to ensure that all networked workers are amiable and open to reengagement for new and/or continued projects and initiatives.

The Great Resignation has become more volatile, and with its wide-sweeping ramifications playing critical roles in how enterprises structure their workforce in the second half of the year, it is crucial that strategies such as direct sourcing contribute to overall talent scalability. Leveraging the power of direct sourcing’s key elements (and associated technology) can assist businesses in maximizing the positive elements of the “Talent Revolution” and parlay them into means of attracting the best-fit, highest-quality talent. Talent sustainability will be the way businesses thrive in the near future…and direct sourcing is a direct link to get them there.

Next-Generation Services Procurement: Data-Driven and Optimized for the Future of Work

Contingent Workforce Procurement Talent Acquisition by Christopher J. Dwyer on 04/26/2023

Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research has long pointed to services procurement (and SOW-based projects and services) as the “next frontier” for contingent workforce management. Comprising upwards of 50%-to-60% (or more!) of the average organization’s total external workforce spending, services procurement remains a prime opportunity for businesses to drive savings, improve visibility, and, most importantly, reshape how work is done.

In a new research study underwritten by Magnit and developed by Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange, we have unveiled some new strategies that can assist enterprises in augmenting services procurement in a Future of Work era:

The large cost savings opportunities that exist for most enterprises in services procurement and the management of SOW-based services make it the next, big frontier for leaders of the extended workforce to tackle. However, a general lack of rigor, combined with issues such as globalization and uncertain economic times, are limiting business leaders’ ability to approach this complex area of spend in a more transformational way.

For enterprises to reimagine the approach to services procurement, they must follow a new model that blends Future of Work accelerants, dynamic data and intelligence, real-time automation, next-generation workforce management technology, and a willingness to adapt and adopt agile solutions.

This Ardent Partners and Future of Work Exchange research report will discuss how businesses can transform their services procurement and SOW (“Statement of Work”) management programs by (1) modifying buying behavior with advanced automation, controls, and data, and (2) developing an impactful initiative that leverages expert services and solutions.

Click here to download the new research study.