RISK & RESILIENCE
With more than two decades of experience in workforce and human capital management, Neil helps HR, payroll and operations leaders harness technology to drive measurable growth through differentiated culture, productivity and strategic alignment.
His work empowers organisations across the supply chain to reimagine workforce potential and achieve lasting business impact.
Here, Neil discusses workforce resilience, the evolving role of human expertise and the competition for supply chain talent.
Q. HOW DO YOU SEE WORKFORCE RESILIENCE CONTRIBUTING TO OVERALL SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE IN THE COMING YEARS?
» Resilient supply chains are built on a flexible, engaged and resilient workforce. In times of disruption, from trade wars to environmental shifts, it is the adaptability, creativity and problem-solving capacity of the people that often determines whether an organisation can keep operating effectively. Technology and processes can only go so far if the people using them are not present and equipped to handle rapid change.
Building workforce resilience involves more than training. It means fostering a culture that encourages growth and collaboration, empowers individuals to make decisions and provides them with the psychological safety to raise concerns and propose new ideas. It also requires investment in wellbeing and
“BUILDING WORKFORCE RESILIENCE MEANS FOSTERING A CULTURE THAT ENCOURAGES GROWTH AND COLLABORATION”
Neil Pickering, Director of HR Innovation, UKG
work-life balance so that employees have the energy and focus to adapt under pressure. Organisations that prioritise this will have a decisive advantage when the next disruption inevitably comes.
Q. AS AUTOMATION AND AI TAKE ON MORE TASKS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN, HOW SHOULD ORGANISATIONS THINK ABOUT THE EVOLVING ROLE OF HUMAN EXPERTISE?
» Automation and AI are redefining the operational landscape by handling routine, repetitive and data-intensive tasks with remarkable speed and accuracy. However, the supply chain is not just a network of processes; it’ s a network of relationships, decisions and judgement calls. Human expertise remains essential in areas where nuance, negotiation and creativity are required.
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