By Aly Virrey
Last July, the Aboitiz Equity Ventures’ People, Transformation, and Strategy Team Members came together for a special People Team Learning Session on 2024 Global Human Capital Trends, with the theme Thriving Beyond Boundaries: Human Performance in a Boundaryless World. Organized by the Transformation Team, the session provided invaluable insights from Deloitte’s latest Human Capital Trends report and set the stage for reflections on how these trends can be leveraged within the organization.
Exploring the Future of Work
The session was facilitated by the Deloitte Team led by Rukhsana Pervez, Executive Director and Partner at Deloitte Consulting Southeast Asia. They emphasized the acceleration of technological and social changes, including the rise of generative AI, which are reshaping the boundaryless world of work. They highlighted that reimagining work in this context is not optional but essential for thriving in today’s dynamic environment.
Bridging the Knowing-Doing Gap
Deloitte also delved into the critical concept of human performance. They pointed out that while most leaders recognize the importance of focusing on human performance, there remains a significant gap between understanding this and implementing effective strategies. According to the firm’s research, organizations that successfully bridge this gap are significantly more likely to achieve both business and people outcomes.
Key Trends Shaping Human Capital
The session further explored specific key trends from Deloitte’s 2024 Global Human Capital Trends report, each offering unique insights and actionable strategies:
1. Beyond Productivity
Traditional productivity metrics are no longer sufficient. Organizations need to shift towards measuring the value created by workers, emphasizing outcomes over activities.
2. Transparency Paradox
While increased transparency can enhance trust, it must be managed carefully to balance privacy and openness. Effective transparency involves clear communication about what is shared and why.
3. Boundaryless HR
HR is evolving from a specialized function to a boundaryless discipline integrated across the organization. This shift aims to enhance productivity, human sustainability, and employee engagement.
4. Workplace Microcultures
Recognizing and fostering microcultures within the workplace can significantly impact organizational success. These microcultures reflect the unique ways teams operate while aligning with overall organizational values.
5. Leadership Evolution
Leadership must adapt to balance technological advancements with human-centric approaches. This includes fostering psychological safety, involving workers in strategic decisions, and leveraging technology responsibly.
You may also access Deloitte’s report here, to find out about the other key trends shaping the world of work.
Insightful Conversations on People
Participants found the session highly valuable, offering new perspectives on human capital management. Assistant Vice President for Strategy Gabrielle Saqueton, shared how she found the session both insightful and enlightening.
“The Deloitte team did an excellent job validating my thoughts on how generational differences impact the workplace and underscored the importance of navigating this diversity effectively. As our organization undergoes transformation, these insights are reassuring and affirm that we are on the right path. Additionally, the team’s expertise and engaging presentation made the experience even more valuable,” she explained.
For his part, Transformation Manager Isaac Galang shared, “Talking about the current trends of work gave me the opportunity to know more about the matter, especially being familiar with the emerging ways of working that are happening across the globe. This will help our organization to understand why certain practices are happening that can help us adapt with the changing times.”
“This is also timely as the Aboitiz Culture Tribe gives importance to continuously innovating on how we work, shaping our mindsets, and building capabilities,” he concluded.
Culture and Engagement Officer Joyce Cuy also emphasized how the session can help her in her role moving forward. She said, “My key takeaway is the importance of bridging the gap between knowing and doing, especially when it comes to human performance and workplace microcultures. Understanding these trends is just the first step; effectively implementing strategies to address them is where the real challenge lies.”
“The session provided valuable insights for fostering a more adaptive work environment. The discussions on microcultures and transparency will help me create more inclusive engagement strategies. The focus on human performance will enhance our initiatives to boost productivity and employee well-being. The segment on generative AI was particularly relevant since we have recently wrapped up conducting generative AI testing. It reinforced my belief that GenAI is a tool to augment human capabilities, not replace them. Overall, the learning session was informative. I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate and take away such valuable knowledge,” she concluded.
Moving Forward
The insights gained from this session will be instrumental in shaping the People Team’s strategies. By embracing flexibility, building resilient leaders, prioritizing well-being, enhancing diversity, and leveraging technology, Aboitiz is poised to thrive in a boundaryless world.
The Transformation Team is dedicated to supporting AEV Corporate Service Units’ and Strategic Business Units Transformation initiatives, ensuring that every Team Member is equipped to contribute to the Group’s collective success. Interested in learning more about the session or collaborating with the AEV Transformation Team? Reach out to aev.transformation@aboitiz.com for more details.
