Organizations typically make a concerted effort to identify and mitigate risks that could hinder business success. But one risk is often overlooked: Having the right workforce in place to execute the business strategy. The most well-crafted business strategy has little value unless it can be implemented successfully by a qualified workforce.

Under any circumstances, it is counterproductive for an organization to use its resources inefficiently. Considering that workforce investments can account for an average of about 40 percent of a company’s revenues, maximizing this investment is especially critical.

But workforce issues take on even greater urgency today – especially for organizations that rely on experienced, highly skilled employees. Shifting demographics, including aging workforces in many countries, are changing the available talent pool and altering the traditional employer/employee relationship. In addition, the business landscape itself is shifting, the result of a growing array of economic, operating and market pressures.

Organizations that have not planned ahead face very real business risks. If they are not effective at meeting both current and future workforce needs, they could find themselves losing ground competitively and failing to meet business goals.

Mercer’s systematic and strategic approach to workforce planning forecasts workforce risks and finds the right balance of the quantity, quality and location of critical talent – at the right cost – to drive business success over time. It identifies and addresses the critical gaps between current workforce resources and future needs.