As a result of Mercer’s extensive work with clients around the globe and through our research of clients’ business priorities, five business issues have consistently emerged. Individually and collectively, these five issues are central to every CEO’s agenda and have a direct impact on human resource (HR) strategy and management:

• Driving profitable revenue growth
• Globalizing business operations
• Continuous process improvement
• Engaging employees 
• Changing workforce demographics and skills

In December 2006, Mercer brought together business and HR leaders from around the world to explore these five issues at the 2006 Mercer Global HR Conference, "The effective global workforce."

This gathering was an opportunity to network with recognized thought leaders and exchange ideas, learn from the experiences of HR executives from large global organizations, explore solutions to tough HR issues with Mercer’s experts, and identify ways to accelerate the implementation of new ideas and programs.

Now, Mercer has published a new anthology – also called “The effective global workforce” – featuring articles adapted from presentations at the Global HR Conference. This collection of seven articles, authored by Mercer consultants globally, represents the range of thinking shared at the conference to address the five business issues and the HR implications.

This compelling new publication is a must-read for global organizations. You can download a complete copy in PDF format. The individual anthology articles are also available as PDF downloads.

Anthology articles

Click on the titles below to download individual articles from Mercer’s new anthology, “The effective global workforce.”  

Introduction: Rising to the talent challenge

Beyond ‘one size fits all’: Driving business performance through talent segmentation

Through a process called talent segmentation, innovative companies are striving to align their talent models with their profit models and optimize their workforce investments.

The growing case for global health care strategies

Many employers aspire to harmonization and equanimity in the delivery of their health care benefits around the world, but achieving these ideals can be a difficult undertaking.

Global retirement plan governance that works

Three of Mercer’s senior retirement consultants recap an interactive panel discussion among multinational firms on effective global retirement plan governance.

Global retirement administration: Increasingly feasible, but still complex

A broad-based strategy is critical to achieving the primary goals of global retirement plan administration: better management of risks, better cost control and improved services and resources for employees.

Exploring the global drivers of employee engagement

Ways to create a fully engaged workforce often vary by company, by business sector and by geography, but Mercer also has identified four global drivers of employee engagement.

Performance measurement in a global setting

An effective global employee performance measurement system translates strategy into action by creating a powerful common language of success that binds an organization together.

India and China: Opportunities and challenges in emerging markets

Changing workforce landscapes in India and China are presenting both challenges and opportunities for companies that venture into these intriguing markets.

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