Dear HR Managers and Business Owners,

A recent survey by Grant Thornton of a hundred law, accounting, architecture, engineering and marketing firms across Canada showed that 42 per cent of respondents believed that difficulties finding and retaining skilled employees were "constraining" their ability to grow.

It concluded that "availability of skilled workers will be a significant issue in future" because most firms are expected to grow. Demographic and economic causes are certainly a big contributor to this issue, but one reason for the dwindling supply of suitable talent might be the different nature of today's employees.

A new generation of creative worker has emerged over the past decade. Baby boomers tended to be workaholics and were more structured but the world has changed and many jobs have become more complex. The borders have broken and the workplace is now less stable and more fluid. Younger people with skills are more comfortable with this, and form world views that fit it. But often managers, who are baby boomers, haven't kept up with them. They still think in structural terms, while younger people think more about values.

In today's project-based or collaborative economy, professionals want to be part of a team and to be recognized for the value they are bringing to a company. There's always another opportunity for them to invest their energy in.

So how will this affect your organization? Over the next decade, successful companies in BC will be intentional about creating a culture, and structure to support these needs. On behalf of People First Solutions, I wish you all the best for a productive and profitable month ahead.

Cheers,