Jo gets the lowdown from Laura Maffucci on AI’s game-changing impact on talent management strategies
Training Journal: You are Head of HR at G-P. What does your role entail and what strategic tips can you share for L&D professionals?
Laura: I am responsible for the company’s global workforce, talent and employee experience. I firmly believe that diversity of thought is paramount for a healthy workspace, and aim to foster a culture where people have equal voice and opportunity to contribute – no matter where they are located.
As the business landscape shifts and new generations enter the workforce, new expectations and demands for technology and talent exist. Tech, such as AI, will enable HR departments to do their jobs better and more efficiently. One area where it has significant value to HR is in accessing and managing talent, specifically for supporting compliance, overcoming language and cultural barriers, and connecting with teams.
AI is here to stay and the companies that tap into it now will have the advantage
However, introducing AI into business processes – HR or anything else – often requires new roles and skills. This is where L&D comes in. Fostering an agile learning culture and investing in internal training programmes is crucial. Each workforce needs to understand the basics of using the tools and the underlying principles and capabilities to help demystify the tech and reduce fear of the unknown.
TJ: Former England men’s football manager, Gareth Southgate, earned praise for his support of players facing racism and abuse. How can business leaders create a strong culture of inclusion in the workplace to ensure every employee feels valued and integrated?
Laura: Sports teaches us that talent knows no boundaries. Just as football teams thrive by bringing in top players from around the world, businesses can benefit immensely from a global talent pool. Global teams benefit from diverse perspectives and working styles, giving them a competitive edge by making them more adaptable and enhancing business resilience.
Fostering a culture of inclusivity requires business leaders to set the tone for the entire organisation. By modelling inclusive behaviour and encouraging open and honest communication, they can create safe spaces where employees feel comfortable sharing their experiences and concerns.
Interestingly, G-P’s Global Growth report found that nearly half (49%) of employees worry about language and cultural barriers when considering working for a global company. Addressing these concerns and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered is essential in our global economy.
Cultural diversity and the need to get cross-cultural communication right are no longer optional ‘nice-to-have’ but strategic assets that can drive productivity and foster an inclusive workplace where every voice is heard and every individual can contribute to broader business success.
TJ: Another angle of a diverse team is location or an individual’s geographic background. What are the struggles, and strategies, for investing in a broader reach of employees?
Laura: One of the most complex challenges of building and managing teams in multiple locations globally is navigating legal, regulatory and compliance requirements. Labour laws, tax codes and employment practices are different and specific to each individual market.
AI-powered global employment and employer of record solutions can help business leaders significantly reduce the challenges of building and managing global teams. In fact, G-P’s most recent AI at Work report shows that two-thirds of business leaders think that AI is critical for operating and being competitive across global markets.
Companies can leverage AI-powered HR tech like G-P’s first-of-its-kind Global Intelligence Assistant (GIA) for on-demand global regulatory compliance. Our AI has been built on more than a decade of proprietary expertise, so companies don’t need to become or hire experts on global and local HR, tax, and legal matters.
TJ: What about work-from-home or hybrid staff in today’s workplace – is that something that businesses should embrace, and how?
Laura: G-P is a global remote-first organisation, and it’s something we believe is core to our culture and success. That said, companies need to choose working environments that are suitable for their business and workforce. Some organisations and industries need to be in the office, while others, like G-P, can operate in a remote or hybrid model.
TJ: Can AI help with attracting the right talent to specific workplaces, and manage them once they are employed?
Laura: Like any emerging technology, there’s a delicate balance between embracing innovation and mitigating risk. AI is here to stay and the companies that tap into it now will have the advantage. The evolving expectations of new generations entering the workforce underscore companies’ need to adapt, particularly in their use of technology like AI. This technology is crucial in meeting these demands as these young professionals seek growth opportunities, flexibility and a global workplace. Organisations must set strategies where AI technology complements and supports human work by making it more efficient and scalable rather than replacing it.
To build teams – AI can help simplify the hiring process from helping find the right talent for specific positions, to streamlining onboarding to bring new-hires on quickly and compliantly. G-P’s AI-powered global hiring and onboarding products help HR and business leaders more efficiently manage processes like generating the offer, executing employment agreements, and supporting onboarding and benefits set up. With native AI acting as a copilot, hiring teams are guided through onboarding workflows in accordance with country-specific regulations and provided with compliant advice and suggestions without ever having to input a question.
To manage teams – AI can help support teams through the employee lifecycle. It can be used to manage everything from employment changes and benefits updates to helping manage asynchronous work across different time zones.
Laura Maffucci is Head of HR at G-P
