ARE MORE CONFIDENT IN THEIR ABILITY TO INNOVATE THAN PRE-PANDEMIC
0%
CITE RAPID AND EFFECTIVE INNOVATION AS CRITICAL TO FUTURE GROWTH
0%
HAVE A BUDGET SET ASIDE TO FUND INNOVATION
0%
NAME ACCESS TO EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AS KEY ENABLER FOR INNOVATION
0%

The innovation imperative

The past couple of years have demonstrated how resilient, adaptable, and creative every industry has become in response to the ongoing stressors. 86% of the business leaders we have surveyed this year feel more confident in their ability to innovate as compared with pre-pandemic. This buoyant mentality is further reflected in their agendas. New product and service launches, emerging technology investments, innovation around talent management and sustainability are among their top-cited priorities. However, levels of optimism are more muted when it comes to talent capabilities, as well as financial means to fund innovative projects. This year’s risk radar for global business leaders has also shifted from addressing the direct implications of the global pandemic to improving access to talent and addressing macro-issues such as rising risks of inflation, regulatory changes, and climate change. Across the board, leaders are compelled to switch from managing their response to the crisis to seeking new opportunities from the disruption. 83% of respondents agree that more rapid and effective innovation is critical to future growth. But first they will have to overcome three formidable challenges: funding, people, and culture, which we explore in this year’s report.

Championing diversity and inclusion

For our business to thrive, we need our people to thrive. At HLB, we believe that creating a diverse and inclusive environment through all layers of the organisation boosts innovation and employee engagement. We aim to provide the best opportunities for our people and attract and retain top talent, to ultimately service our clients better. We champion diversity and inclusion by:

  • Engaging in diversity and inclusion related conversations
  • Being an advocate for workplace flexibility
  • Facilitating talent mobility programs for our members
  • Promoting leadership behaviour that fosters workplace diversity and inclusion

Bill Bradshaw

Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader

Bill leads the network’s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) initiatives and oversees its strategy and objectives. Bill is no stranger to the professional services industry. He began his career with EY on the client service delivery side, working in both the audit and tax functions. He quickly found his niche in the Human Capital market and has never looked back. Bill has worked across multiple dimensions of diversity, collaborating with leaders at all levels, and has worked on many large scale projects. He is a sought after thought leader in the D&I space and was named to the 2019 NJ Out 100 Power List for his work in leading LGBTQ workplace inclusion.

Bill sits on the Board of Garden State Equality (GSE), New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ organization, and The Center, a non-profit HIV/AIDS service organization at the Jersey Shore. Bill has a strong passion for social justice and recently taught Lead for Diversity, a week-long journey by the American Conference on Diversity to high school students throughout the tri-state area.

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