Innovation has nothing to do with how many R&D dollars you have. When Apple came up with the Mac, IBM was spending at least 100 times more on R&D. It’s not about money. It’s about the people you have, how you’re led, and how much you get it. – Steve Jobs, Apple Founder
Employees play a part in determining how well a company functions, innovates and whether it stands a chance of moving into the future successfully. Some companies are using innovative recruitment practices and strategies to attract and retain the right kind of talent to chart an advantageous way forward.
Cross Industry Recruitment
It’s common practice in recruitment to hire someone in the same industry or to poach talent from a competing company in your field. However organisations like LVMH and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative are recruiting people from other industries as they see the value of bringing in a unique perspective. Luxury goods company LVMH did this successfully when it hired former Apple and Beats executive Ian Rogers in 2015, as Chief Digital Officer. Rogers has spearheaded LVMH’s move into the 21st century and the company is currently testing ways to integrate advanced technology like AI (artificial intelligence) and blockchain into the business. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative , Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s social advocacy organisation, has hired David Plouffe who was once Barack Obama’s adviser and a senior Uber executive, to co-lead the organisation’s policy and advocacy efforts.
Auditors Ernst and Young was one of the first companies to hire talent without insisting they have a degree. Now several IT companies are following suit. IBM is hiring individuals based on their skill sets or willingness to learn and develop new skills. With large staff shortages, the IT giant has created so-called “new collar jobs”. On its website it puts it like this: “We think the capabilities and the skills are even more important than the degree because things change so quickly in a lot of hot new fields: cybersecurity, analytics, cognitive, even things we’re doing within marketing or design.” The company has partnered with community colleges as a first step in seeking out talent. Other enterprises that are no longer insisting on a degree are Google and Apple.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/JgEzrM8-ELM?enablejsapi=1&wmode=opaque
Above: More on IBM New Collar Initiative
Leveraging technology in recruitment
Technology is one of the major reasons for disruption in the world of work. Now many companies are exploring the use of AI-powered chatbots to assist in recruiting. Ari by Text Recruit and XOR engage with job seekers via text or live chats, screening them to pick out the best candidates. Both companies ensure the security of candidates’ details, which is essential in today’s digital world. The use of chatbots is a good example of how companies are embracing digital disruption and making it work to their benefit.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/282915701
Above: XOR AI powered chatbot in action.
