6 trends small businesses should look out for in 2017

Recruiting expert Hays has revealed its predictions for the coming year.

6 trends small businesses should look out for in 2017
Recruiting expert Hays has revealed its predictions for the coming year.
  1. Millennials to drive flexibility: Millennials’ work-life balance expectations will increase, and active-desking and work from home options will be utilised more often. Those working within a set workplace will expect greater flexibility around their hours.
  2. Work-life integration not work-life balance: The concept of flexibility will be challenged as the gender diversity debate progresses to question employers’ policies and practices for working fathers and paternity leave. As a result, and with the working week becoming 24/7 in many knowledge-based sectors, the concept of work-life integration rather than work-life balance will come to the fore.
  3. Digital skills gap: The customer experience will be at the forefront of what drives a business, adding to the shortage of digital skills and capability.
  4. Adaption of traditional leadership hierarchies: Millennials want a supportive boss who is a coach or mentor and offers a close, informal relationship. With millennials now accounting for the highest percentage of the workforce, in 2017 people managers will need to adapt their leadership style accordingly.
  5. Demand for mouldable candidates: Rapid technological advances have changed roles and created completely new jobs. Therefore employers will look for candidates open to learning new skills and train them into a role.
  6. Performance management evolves: The situation will be similar for performance management, with more regular check-ins replacing the annual review, which generally leaves people less motivated than if they didn’t have a review at all.