2018 is shaping up to be a very interesting and challenging year for FMCG. Not least with a changing legislative, political and economic landscape but also with rapidly evolving dietary trends.
The hiring market is witnessing some big trends over the next few years too.
Last year we talked about the skills trends 2017 affecting hiring decisions, this year we're going to be seeing trends that we think affect the mindset of aspiring commercial leaders.
We think it's less about exactly what you've done, but how you've gone about it, and more to the point, how you plan to approach your work, and your role within a business that's going to separate the pack.
Read this really insightful article from our Expert, Lyle Edwards.
We'd love your thoughts ....
1) Adaptability The FMCG market has an ageing existing workforce, in amongst competition from more tech / digital focused industries we’re rumoured to be struggling to entice the younger generations for the first time in history, creating an apparent emerging skills / mindset gap. Companies should be trying to address this by broadening their searches to bring candidates in from other industries with transferable skills. The implementation of technology and constant innovation means, the millennial generation workforce is being sought, but this will take time. Therefore, never has it been more important as a job seeking candidate for you to be adaptable, open to rapid tech changes and job profile changes, than it has today. Be prepared to flex your skills and styles to keep up with the pace of the market go and seek knowledge in other verticals particularly in digital. 2) BE PREPARED The Scout Motto is: “BE PREPARED” which means you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your DUTY. Applying this to FMCG…. It seems to be that this bit changes on a year by year basis. The hygiene factors around home-based working vs office, Company Car vs Allowance, Bonus vs Equity - the list is endless, they vary more so than they ever have done. SME businesses, in most cases, prefer an office based working policy, to create atmosphere and beat their slower, much larger, rivals in terms of pace. So be prepared to make this work, especially if you crave that entrepreneurial London vibe. The same goes for packages. Forget the cushy corporate Denplans and eyecare. The equity, profit share, revenue growth is what makes you wealthy! In SME’s, you’ll have to expect to work longer hours too in some cases … those tonic bottles won’t sell themselves 😉 Be prepared for perceived sacrifice, for ultimate gain. 3) Fearlessness FMCG businesses want candidates who take charge of their careers. Whether it’s realising things are stale, pushing back internally/externally, putting your hand up for the tough negotiations or chatting to the Founder while he is secretly pulling apart your desk! Risk taking is paramount, not just in SME, but in larger corporations now too. ABInbev launched BudLight to counteract the Craft lager boom….it worked. The Founders of Fever Tree did so without consulting Category data houses…why? Because gin was in decline…. they went with their intuition, fearlessly. The industry needs mavericks. So, get your examples together, do something different push and get outside of your comfort zone. What is the worst that can happen? 4) Commercial Gumption This sort of harps back to my 2017 post - point 3 - Real Commercial Exposure. These things are similar. We work in an ever-changing marketplace, premium brands creating category growth, retailers trying to push through the communistic one price fits all regional pricing models (not all of them), the crack down on waste, rationalisation, climate change, consumer flexitarians and rise of vegan & veggie diets amongst other things. Not to mention the age-old Brexit phenomenon and the currency and commodity markets that are all over the place.
Read the original article here