The Three Biggest Trends Impacting the Labor Shortage

February 3, 2022

Written By

John Frehse

Senior Managing Director at Ankura

John Frehse speaks around the world on a variety of best practices in the labor management field. John’s experience covers a wide array of strategic issues, from analytical resource deployment modeling to implementation planning and execution. Specific tactical problems include scheduling and shift management to increasing employee satisfaction, health, morale, and performance. Over John’s career, he has implemented solutions with Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. Those projects have generated over $400 million in cost savings. John has done this with diverse workgroups across almost every industry, focusing on employees who do not work the traditional 9:00 to 5:00 schedule. His proven approach has balanced operations and labor savings with employee-morale initiatives to make sure cost savings stick. John is a sought-after speaker and has authored numerous white papers and articles, including the “11 Keys to Strategic Scheduling.” He earned a bachelor’s degree in politics with a focus on the political economy from Wake Forest University.

Bob Clements

President, Axsium Group Ltd.

Bob Clements is President and CEO of Axsium Group, the world’s leading workforce management consulting firm. Over the past two decades, Bob has become one of workforce management’s most influential thought leaders. He is a frequent contributor to industry magazines, is often interviewed by the press to comment on the latest industry trends, and has been a keynote speaker at dozens of industry events and webinars. Prior to Axsium, Bob was a distinguished member of the National Retail Foundation’s (NRF) Association for Retail Technology Standard (ARTS) and led product strategy and design for several leading workforce management solutions.

What he’s passionate about: Spending time with and supporting his wife and two daughters, while also believing the Chicago Cubs will win another World Series in his lifetime and he can get his golf handicap into the single digits.

We’re pleased to present the eighth episode from the “Leadership in the Labor Shortage” series — also known as “No Suits, No Slides.” In this episode, I’m joined by Workforce Institute advisory board members John Frehse, senior managing director at Ankura, and Bob Clements, president of Axsium Group.

Today’s conversation is all about the empowered workforce, as in the leverage workers have gained in the Great Resignation era. What are the three biggest trends impacting the labor shortage, what do they mean for people looking for new jobs, and what can employers do to ensure they retain their best performers all while continuing to recruit top candidates?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/BhSi3VzJfxU

Throughout the discussion, we offer some impactful ways companies can attract and retain employees, and how technology can help maximize your effectiveness, especially at scale.

If you missed any episodes from the “No Suits, No Slides” series, you can view the entire lineup of episodes via the links below.

Episode 1: Hiring, Turnover, and the Economy
Episode 2: Where Did All the Workers Go? How Can We Get Them Back?
Episode 3: How Meaningful ESG Drives Performance: Part One
Episode 4: How Meaningful ESG Drives Performance: Part Two
Episode 5: Showing Gratitude for the Frontline Workforce
Episode 6: What Can Organizations Do About the Ongoing Labor Shortage?
Episode 7: Why Organizations Should Care About Belonging, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion