STEPHEN TRACY

Employee onboarding has been a big challenge. Since January 2020, our headcount has grown from 18 staff in 3 countries to 62 in 6 countries. We had to adapt quickly to find ways to remotely onboard our new joiners across multiple countries in a way that is both educational and engaging. I think we’re going to see an interesting split in the workplace model between companies that wish to return to a pre-pandemic “normal” versus more progressive firms that have committed to a “new normal.” Take Twitter versus Apple, for example. Both models will likely co-exist as companies commit to the approach that aligns with both their business and employees’ needs. But one notable outcome of the work-from-home model has been a greater focus on employee engagement and mental well-being. Tech innovation and enablement in this space has sprung to life in recent years, with companies now investing in digital tools to improve employee engagement like virtual coffee/water-cooler apps, as well as e-therapy apps for their employees. I believe this represents a shift in the mindset of how many business leaders think about their workforce and it’s a change that is here to stay. CEO, Milieu Insight