Making work ‘work’

Economic volatility, AI, and evolving employee expectations are reshaping the way organisations operate. HR leaders are tasked with not just responding to these challenges but also proactively shaping the future of work, ensuring that their organisations remain resilient and competitive in an ever-evolving environment. Join Mark Philips, Head of Consulting, Mercer Workforce Solutions, as he modera...

Are we still in the hype phase, or have organisations come to peace with AI? In this episode, host Cynthia Cottrell and Mercer’s Global Business Solutions and Innovation Centre Leader, Jean Martin, explore AI in the workplace – in both its current and potential future state. Cynthia and Jean discuss the ‘productive anxiety’ that HR executives grapple with as AI continues to evolve, which gives ris...

Host: Andrew Lafontaine, Partner, Workforce Solutions, Mercer Pacific Guests: Nithya Abraham, General Market Leader, Digital & Insights, Mercer Pacific Don Barrera, Client Engagement Manager, Digital & Insights, Mercer Pacific Description: Drawing insights from the latest releases of Mercer’s Total Remuneration Survey (TRS) and Australian Benefits Review (ABR), this episode highlights a sh...

Host: Andrew Lafontaine, Partner, Workforce Solutions, Mercer Guest: Shane O'Neill, Host of the HR Community Podcast   In this episode, Andrew Lafontaine, Partner and Workforce Solutions leader at Mercer, and Shane O'Neill, host of the HR Community Podcast, talk about Andrew’s 25-year career journey from teaching degree graduate to his current role as Partner for Mercer Pacific. The conversation f...

The goal of AI is not to replace workers but to create a new constellation of jobs and skills. In this episode, Cynthia Cottrell, Workforce Solutions Leader, Mercer Pacific and Ravin Jesuthasan, Global Transformation Leader, Mercer, discuss the importance of organisations understanding how AI can substitute, augment, and transform work and being intentional in their approach to AI to ensure its et...

Imagine a company where every employee, regardless of their location, has equal access to learning opportunities, career growth and experiences. A company where the ability to solve client problems and deliver a differentiated service is amplified by the diverse expertise and perspectives of a connected global network of skilled employees. Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of skill...

In a world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, the demand for skilled talent is reaching critical levels. As HR leaders and practitioners, it's crucial to address these skills shortages and find innovative ways to retain and develop top talent.  In this episode we explore the career journeys of a former rugby captain and a talented artist. Through their unique experiences a...

Organisations in every industry are looking for ways to increase productivity. But rising levels of employee burnout and a decline in trust show the potential cost. Could AI be the answer? We had over 12,000 C-suite executives, HR directors, employees and investors contribute to our Global Talent Trends 2024 study and we their input helped us uncover four trends that are shaping the people agenda...

Host : Courtney Hughes-Lord, Principal Transformation Consultant, Mercer Guests: Lang Ip, Principal, Workforce Analytics, Mercer, and Anne Le Blanc, Principal, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, Mercer   Do you want to build more confidence around your organisation’s pay decisions? In this episode, Mercer Workforce Solutions leaders discuss the factors contributing to the gender pay gap and sha...

In this episode, Mercer’s Paul Hennessy, Australian Sales Leader and Dean Tulloch, Leadership & Talent Practice Leader discuss the links between effective leadership and organisational success. They explore the leadership behaviours that bring out the best in teams and the need to set clear expectations to build a stable foundation for collaboration. The discussion also delves into the challen...

To end the first season of Making Work ‘Work’, we revisit the question posed in the first episode: How do we make work lovable? Join our podcast host and leader for Mercer Workforce Solutions in the Pacific, Cynthia Cottrell, and Andrew Lafontaine, a Partner in the transformation business as they unpack the year. They discuss the concept of flexibility in the workplace, the challenges and tensions...

There’s plenty to debate about where the HR agenda is heading. From hybrid work, to culture, total rewards, skills and AI - what will be the key trends for next year? We asked five experts from Mercer’s Workforce Solutions team to place their big bets for 2024. Tune in to our discussion to gain insights that will help you navigate the increasingly complex world of work. Episode host: David Guazzar...

In this interview, our host Cynthia Cottrell, welcomes David Guazzarotto, Leader for our Digital HR and Technology Advisory practice, and an authority on digital transformation for the workforce and reimagining HR for the digital age. They discuss the landscape of HR transformation, particularly in the context of generative AI and technology advancements. The conversation centres on the impact and...

Did you know that in Australia, the number of software engineers outnumbers plumbers, hairdressers, or baristas? Despite this, only 15% of Australia's STEM skilled workforce are women, a stark contrast to the nearly 50% female participation in the broader workforce. Today, we delve into the efforts to bridge this gender gap in STEM fields. Our host, Cynthia Cottrell, shares her experiences as...

In this captivating episode, our host Cynthia Cottrell asks Ilya Bonic, the President of Mercer's Workforce Solutions business and Head of Mercer Strategy globally, a thought-provoking question: "Do you think AI will ever replace your job?" This question sets the stage for the conversation as they delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, exploring its impact on th...

Step into Mercer’s world of work and discover the secrets behind creating a truly great place to work. In this captivating episode, our host Cynthia Cottrell, Partner and Workforce Solutions Leader, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Gaye Morris, Chief People Officer at Mercer Pacific. They delve into the dynamic landscape of modern workplaces and explore the initiatives spearheaded...

One of the biggest challenges for organisations has always been how to monitor the skills they have and the skills they will need in the future. But as Cynthia Cottrell, Partner and Workforce Solutions Leader at Mercer Pacific, and Ravin Jesuthasan, Global Transformation Leader for Mercer, discuss in this episode, a new way of looking at work is emerging, one that takes a different approach at bui...

As businesses grapple with the challenge of ongoing labour and skills shortages, a growing number are adopting a skills-based approach to define the skills they will need in the future, flex their workforce, and purposely drive career development. In this episode, our host Cynthia Cottrell, Partner and Workforce Solutions Leader at Mercer Pacific, speaks with Amy Baxendale, Global Capability &...

Whether you're in the boardroom or living room, inflation and the rising cost of living continue to dominate the conversations in 2023. Employees are worried about their finances and the prospect of limited pay increases. Executives are concerned with the impact of inflation on both their businesses and talent management decisions. Where does this leave workers and their employers? In this episode...

Is your graduate or early talent program delivering long-term value? In this episode, Laura Manescu, Senior Talent Strategy Consultant at Mercer Workforce Solutions, Fiona Herron, Senior Manager of Graduate Programs at Commonwealth Bank, and Phil Harrington, Leader of Mercer’s Talent Assessment Business, talk about trends and best practices that will help you bring talent in early and develop and...

Do jobs really define what we do? In this episode, Cynthia Cottrell, Partner and Workforce Solutions Leader at Mercer Pacific and her colleague Anne Leblanc, talk about the evolution of work: the journey from job descriptions, capability and competencies to units of skills and the cultural shift required to unleash the value that all employees can bring to their organisations. In this conversation...

Cynthia Cottrell, Partner and Workforce Solutions Leader at Mercer Pacific and her colleague Andrew Lafontaine, Strategy and Growth leader, explore what makes workers happy at work and why it's so important for organisations to focus on creating "lovable" work experiences.  They talk about the decline of employee engagement in organisations, the rise of the Chief Happiness Officer, the role o...