'Make sure you are not too internally focused'

Nicole Zimmerman is vice president of WU Way, an initiative from Western Union which aims to drive operational efficiencies through digitisation.

The strategy focuses on changing the way employees work, delivering a better customer experience and driving growth for the business.

Zimmerman told HRD that Western Union has chosen to lead a business transformation program that is leveraging methodology to ensure employees are empowered to work in different ways.

“We are focusing on enabling our employees to be part of that change so that they can become more effective and efficient,” said Zimmerman.

“That is a massive undertaking if you think about our 12,000 employees across the globe.”

Zimmerman added that Western Union has a long-standing brand awareness strategy which helps attract new talent to the company.

“Our brand is something that attracts a lot of new employees, especially the millennials that are looking for somewhere that is not only focused on their internal investment, but is also doing good in the world,” she said.

“That is something that our brand brings to the table when we are talking about finding talent across the globe.”

There are great opportunities for people who are flexible and mobile to stay within the company but move overseas, added Zimmerman.

“As an example, I have moved from Europe to the US, from a regional responsibility to a global responsibility.”

So what would Western Union’s advice be for HR professionals to stay on top of rapidly evolving workplace trends?

“My advice is the same as my advice to HR professionals generally, it is all about business alignment,” said Victoria Pickles, director of Human Resources at Western Union APAC

“Keeping knowledge up to date about what we are trying to achieve as a business means having strong relationships with business leaders and understanding their plans.

“Consequently, it’s also important that my HR partners around the region and around the globe do too.”

She added that it’s essential to look at the business not just through a HR lens but also to uncover what it is about the business leader’s strategy that means you will be able to partner with them to help deliver.

“Don’t just listen when the HR issues are being spoken about, listen to the contents of the entire project, whatever that happens to be,” said Pickles.

“You may have an opinion or a question on those other important issues and I think that is really relevant with digital.

“It’s all about curiosity: read and listen what is going on in the business and bring the outside inside.

“Listen to what the competitors are doing. Have a look at your role in another business and think about how they evolving themselves just to make sure you are not too internally focused.”