MILWAUKEE, Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the world leader in innovative workforce solutions, advises financial and banking institutions that the current economic environment of certain uncertainty, growing talent shortages and quickly-evolving workforce needs make it imperative to have a robust workforce strategy in place that accelerates execution of business strategy.

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Alarmingly, 76% of global financial companies are operating without a fully implemented workforce strategy, a recent survey by ManpowerGroup Solutions' Strategic Workforce Consulting (SWC) business found. In addition, more than half of financial firm respondents reported that human resources (HR) functions play no role or a limited role in implementing business strategy. This is despite ManpowerGroup's global Talent Shortage Survey showing that accounting and finance professionals have ranked among the top 10 hardest jobs to fill for each of the past eight years.

"Any company's business strategy must carefully consider the workforce implications, as that business strategy is immaterial without the talented people available to execute it," said Scott Ahlstrand, SWC global practice leader. "A holistic workforce strategy takes into account important external factors that affect current and future talent sources, including demographic shifts, the rise of emerging markets and ever-evolving technology. Without adequate planning, companies will discover all too late that 'on-demand' talent will simply no longer be available."

ManpowerGroup Solutions' new insights paper, "Why Financial Institutions Need a Workforce Strategy," released today, outlines talent management strategies human resources functions can use to develop and maximize their employees' human potential. At a time when companies' business strategies are rapidly shifting, attracting the best talent and keeping up with changing business models — and technology — poses an ever-bigger challenge.    

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, talent demands in the industry have shifted faster than supply can keep pace as sweeping regulatory reform has taken place. Not only do financial firms need to source highly technical talent to fill critical new risk and compliance analysis roles, but they continue to seek talent with cross-functional capabilities who can broadly collaborate across the organization. The evolution of mobile banking is also creating new types of jobs as transactions are increasingly completed online.     

Banking and financial institutions that leverage technology, and a range of flexible work models that incorporate full-time workers, contingent workers and remote or virtual talent with in-demand skills will have a competitive advantage. ManpowerGroup's Strategic Workforce Consulting (SWC) framework helps companies take a fact and data-based approach to determine the best balance of workforce strategies to not only achieve the best return on investment, but to ensure it is sustainable. This is achieved through a proven five-step process: confirm business strategy implications; align on workforce needs and capabilities; create workforce strategy; develop action plans: and execute, measure and refine.

"In today's environment, a company's workforce strategy becomes the frame of reference for all decisions around work models, people practices and talent sources," added Ahlstrand. "This not only protects an organization's investment in the business strategy but the workforce strategy often brings the business strategy into clearer focus and can help accelerate its achievement."

ManpowerGroup Solutions' insights paper, "Why Financial Institutions Need a Workforce Strategy," is available for immediate download from: http://www.manpowergroup.com/wps/wcm/connect/manpowergroup-en/home/thought-leadership/research-insights/

About ManpowerGroup

ManpowerGroup™ (NYSE: MAN) is the world leader in innovative workforce solutions that ensure the talent sustainability of the world's workforce for the good of companies, communities, countries, and individuals themselves. Specializing in solutions that help organizations achieve business agility and workforce flexibility, ManpowerGroup leverages its 65 years of world of work expertise to create the work models, design the people practices and access the talent sources its clients need for the future. From staffing, recruitment, workforce consulting, outsourcing and career management to assessment, training and development, ManpowerGroup delivers the talent to drive the innovation and productivity of organizations in a world where talentism is the dominant economic system. Every day, ManpowerGroup connects more than 630,000 people to work and builds their experience and employability through its relationships with 400,000 clients across 80 countries and territories. ManpowerGroup's suite of solutions is offered through ManpowerGroup™ Solutions, Manpower®, Experis™ and Right Management®. ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the third consecutive year in 2013, confirming our position as the most trusted brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup makes powering the world of work humanly possible at www.manpowergroup.com. Follow ManpowerGroup Chairman and CEO Jeff Joerres on Twitter: Twitter.com/manpowergroupjj

SOURCE ManpowerGroup