​​Why Companies Need to Build an Agile Workforce

The workforce market is constantly changing, with new developments that alter the traditional way of working and current trends pointing to more flexible setups. For example, remote working has almost eliminated in-office setups, with more and more companies beginning to adapt work from home policies and allowing their employees to report off-site. This is especially true during a time of a pandemic when organizations were forced to shut down physical offices and collaborate with their employees in remote destinations. 

This is just one example of the rampant changes that plague the professional sphere. And because of how rapidly things are evolving, the only way for a company to ride the tide and survive is to know how to adapt. They need to be flexible to keep up with and meet the demands of the current era — and that’s where an agile workforce comes in. 

What is an Agile Workforce? 

An agile workforce has flexible processes, decision-making, etc., that allows a company to respond positively to changes and adapt to new trends. In short, it’s the lifeblood of a company, allowing it to innovate and overcome any developments that alter its industry and the workforce market. 

Agility is a crucial factor that fosters business performance and helps a company stay competitive and meet the needs of a constantly changing market. And it has grown more important than ever in a time like a pandemic, where the future of work is evolving.

Characteristics of an Agile Workforce 

An agile workforce can be characterized by the following traits: 

Autonomy

Most businesses have tedious and lengthy procedures for decision-making. Typically, upper management makes the decisions and lays down guidelines or instructions for the team to follow. However, if circumstances arise that are not covered by existing guidelines, employees would have to go back up the funnel to seek advice from management. 

While this traditional process has worked in the past, time is of the essence in today’s day and age. This makes it essential for management to learn to trust their employees and empower them to make decisions, identify problems, and find solutions autonomously. This helps speed up the process.

Flexibility 

An agile workforce is flexible and does not conform to previously set guidelines or groups. Ideally, the way it works is to have employees working together and being cross-functional in teams. The idea is that everyone is involved in all stages of a project, contributes to each other depending on the need, and rearranges themselves according to the demand of the work that is being done. 

Speed 

Autonomous and flexible workforces help speed up processes and procedures in the company. An agile workforce eliminates the unnecessary technicalities, barriers, and hierarchies in the process and is empowered to make their own decisions. Employees are enabled to adapt to trends, make changes within cycles, and change along with the times without going through so many steps to do it. As a result, the company can stay ahead of its competition and adapt to developments seamlessly and naturally.

Why Do You Need to Build an Agile Workforce? 

Agile workforces perform better than the traditional workforce setups and processes that we have all become too familiar with. By switching to an agile principle of working, businesses can improve their internal affairs and see an increase in the bottom line. Here are some benefits of an agile workforce:

Reduce Costs 

Because agile workforces empower employees to make their own decisions and solve problems through their own solutions, they effectively help the company reduce overhead costs. This is owing to the lack of excessive structures, long reporting chains, etc. that reduces time. When teams are able to become cross-functional and independent, they can work more efficiently and productively, make decisions faster, and reduce the need to spend time and money. 

Improve Outcomes 

An agile workforce that is made up of small independent teams and stripped of prolonged and excessive hierarchies makes the employees closer and enables them to form direct relationships with customers. This allows them to understand the needs of the end market more fully and conduct strategies to improve yields more quickly and effectively.

Increase Employee Retention

Nowadays, employees do not like being excessively micromanaged. They want to feel valued and important parts of a company and appreciate it if their superiors trust them to make their own decisions and strategize according to what they think is best. Giving employees this type of empowerment results in happier workers who feel like they have control of their growth, and as a result of happier employees, they are motivated to stay longer. 

How to Build an Agile Workforce

Building an agile workforce starts with hiring the right people with the right skills, talents, and mindsets. Businesses should hire people who embody agility and create a group that can foster a culture that reflects an agile workforce. 

Looking for employees who will make a good fit for your agile company? Reach out to GAS Global today. We can help you find talents who match your company culture, meet your requirements, and will serve as assets for your agile workforce.