#100in2020: Top 7 essential skills in HR for 2020

In the post-COVID world, hiring the right people will define how the business recovers from the economic downturn — and HR lies at the heart of your talent acquisition strategy. Beyond managing benefits and compensations, few other corporate roles make a greater impact when it comes to defining job duties, identifying and recruiting the right talent, as well as retaining the best of the best for the long haul. People, at the end of the day, are a company’s greatest asset, and HR is the difference between a company that exists and one that succeeds. 

Here are the essential skills in HR to hire for in 2020 after the pandemic. 

1. Gen Z sourcing and retention 

Although currently at the younger end of the labour market, Gen-Z are set to make up an increasing proportion of the workforce over the next 10 years. Sourcing and retaining this talent is crucial in securing the future of your organisation. Investing in perfecting your recruitment strategy and improving your culture and offering to then retain that talent will prepare your workforce for tomorrow. Operating the newest technology and being innovative with your processes can attract new generational talent to your business.

2. People analytics

People analytics is the future of HR. More data than ever is gathered on employees; having professionals in your team who can make sense of the information and use it to make decisions will be key in your attraction and retention strategies. Making significant data-led decisions can directly impact productivity, revenue, and profits. In the future, AI will enable us to make informed decisions based on data that can help our people to improve. Therefore, it is important to have professionals with skills in this area who can drive this initiative forward.

3. Strong D&I knowledge

Diversity and inclusion remain high on the business agenda as we enter a new decade. It is crucial for businesses to have a voice in this space, and be working on action plans to improve D&I in their organisation — and also identifying new priority groups of people. A diverse workforce has proven to improve the bottom-line, productivity, and workplace culture. Therefore, having a member of the HR team that can embody this and champion it throughout the entire organisation will be beneficial throughout 2020 and beyond. 

4. Mentoring skills

Getting the most out of professionals will mean developing them to become the best they can be within your organisation. Mentoring and reverse mentoring within the team is an important skill that will connect individuals and create a culture of cross-collaboration and continuous learning. Not only can this help individuals, but it can also reduce the reliance on managers and HR professionals to help with answers. Working with a senior mentor can really aid new members of staff to learn about the culture and expectations of an organisation.

5. Remote management

As the workforce continues to develop, the way that we work together in teams changes as well. Managing remotely is becoming more common in business. This is new territory for most people. Therefore, having the skill to keep your teams engaged, even if team members or their leader aren't present in the office, is a valuable skill that mirrors the dynamic workforce of the future. Effective management is crucial to ensuring your teams are working productively.

6. Digital communication

Communication in business has always been paramount. But as systems continue to digitise, employees must be able to communicate effectively through digital platforms. Utilising tools such as Skype, Yammer, Sametime effectively can contribute to a smooth-running strategy. Being flexible in your approach will not only open digital communication to every member of your team, but allow everyone to feel comfortable and prepared to communicate digitally. Clear communication in the HR function is essential to ensure productivity in the team.

7. HR system implementation 

HR is a function that continues to develop through the implementation of new systems and technologies, and the relentless pace of change is only set to accelerate. Having members of the team that are experienced and knowledgeable in this area can help to streamline this process and implement the system in quick turnaround time. With the amount of new and improved HR systems available to businesses, professionals who know how to involve and excite the team when these are implemented can help with the process.