“Revolutionary, trend-spotters, trailblazers, passionate, dedicated.” These are just a few of the glowing terms Associate Editor Danny Romero used when I asked him to describe this year’s Staffing 100 – Europe honorees. And don’t forget “digitally savvy.”
“Most honourees have a mission to accelerate digitisation at their firms,” Romero said. This focus couldn’t come at a better time. Artificial intelligence and automation are sweeping through every corner of the workforce solutions ecosystem. Anyone not using these tools to improve their work processes and their company’s offerings risks being replaced by someone who does. Not only that, but “their challenge will be harnessing these new technologies to compete effectively in a market experiencing long-term skills shortages,” SIA’s director of global research, John Nurthen, tells me.
Another characteristic of this year’s honourees: how many hats they wear. Their job descriptions may include CEO or director, but a single title doesn’t express the depth of their experience in entrepreneurship, regulatory reform, mentorship, DE&I initiatives and cross-border dealmaking.
These diverse skills will serve them well over the coming years. Economic slowdowns are already challenging their abilities to grow their companies. These honourees will also need to steer their teams past regulatory hurdles and roadblocks thrown up by the evolving gig economy.
There’s another characteristic Romero used to describe this year’s class.
“They seem to be younger than in previous years,” he tells me. Will their perceived youth help or hurt this year’s Staffing 100 – Europe honourees? Don’t wait to find out. Instead, reach out. Collaborate. The people named here aren’t the only dedicated, trailblazing trend-spotters — you are, too. Learn and grow together.
