We talk with Charles H. Ferguson who challenges the theory that we are experiencing a talent-shortage crisis
This article was produced in partnership with Globalization Partner.
As we slowly crawl out of economic hibernation, concerns continue to build around a shortage of skilled workers being available in Australia.
While border closures have been said to be the primary catalyst, other factors including ‘the great resignation’ phenomenon, whereby an unprecedented amount of people are rethinking their priorities post-pandemic and changing careers, have played a part.
“When work is integrated with your personal space in your personal life, you start to really question: ‘Does what I'm doing every day align with my values? Does it align with the way I want to invest myself?’” says Charles Ferguson of this ever-changing landscape.
It is not only the media presenting us with figures indicating a talent shortage. The Australian government advise of only a modest increase in recruitment conditions, as seen here in a report by the National Skills Commission.
Ferguson, General Manager of Globalization Partners Asia Pacific, questions these circumstances, however. Is this talent shortage a myth? Or is it more of a perception shortage? Talent is everywhere. Are companies perceiving a talent shortage in their local market having a mindset problem? Is this conundrum a ripe opportunity for Australia to embrace all the benefits of hiring globally?
To Ferguson’s mind, employers are setting their own limitations and aren’t looking far enough afield. In light of the pandemic, remote working has been proven not only possible, but often preferable, from a multitude of standpoints.
“Winston Churchill had a quote that I love, he said: ‘Never waste a good crisis.’ We have a choice here. We can focus on the negative; we can find this too scary. Or we can say, ‘How do we take advantage of the exit of this pandemic and get ahead? The answer is our people - our talent - the best people win the war. So, you've got to find the best people, the best people for your business, and if you can't find them across the street, look someplace else,” Ferguson says.
“The good news here is - there are multiple gains for Australia. They have the option to hire internationally for the perfect talent fit they are seeking, while international companies will also be looking to Australia for their perfect fit,” he continues.
But how do companies with no prior experience in recruiting globally shift focus?
“The Globalization Partners model leads the industry and is constantly innovating,” explains Ferguson. “We've just launched a new recruitment product for our customers, called G-P Recruit, which caters to just this problem.”.
“This tool gives our customers access to an unprecedented selection of recruiting specialists in key markets around the world through the Globalization Partners’ extensive recruitment partner network. Through G-P Recruit, companies can find the perfect fit based on their unique combination of requirements including hiring location, industry sector, functional area, expertise, or prior roles – all through Globalization Partners’ industry leading technology platform. We make sure that the fee structure is in-line with that of the local market, and we support companies through the process.”
“Once talent has been acknowledged and an offer is made, we can act as a local vehicle to onboard the individual—basically, your extended HR on the ground. We’re the only business out there that delivers this through one AI-enabled and compliant platform. Our platform is built on top of the industry’s most robust global legal infrastructure. This infrastructure is the product of working with local tax, legal, and compliance experts in 187 countries for nearly a decade. This is ultimately what protects our customers’ business, and no other platform in the market comes close.”
“So, how do we overcome the barriers of this perceived talent shortage?” Ferguson concludes.
“It might all just be noise. I think it never hurts to have a conversation. The glass is half full.”
If you’re curious about what lies beyond the horizon, visit www.globalization-partners.com
Charles Hamilton Ferguson is the General Manager and head of Globalization Partners’ business in Asia. In this capacity, he is responsible for establishing scale and efficiency for Globalization Partners and its customers’ business expansion in one of the most dynamic markets in the world. Globalization Partners is the world’s leading global employment platform that makes it fast and easy for employers to hire anyone, anywhere, without having to set up international branch offices or subsidiaries. By using Globalization Partners’ proprietary, AI-enabled, automated, and compliant platform, companies can grow revenue faster, improve their access to global talent, and minimize risk. Customers receive around the clock access to the industry’s largest and most experienced team of global HR experts who can assist with questions about hiring talent in over 187 countries.
