SWIFT AND AGILE

Ubiquitous singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has had quite the year. In 2023 she joined the billionaires’ club for the first time on the back of her record-breaking Eras Tour, and she broke into the top ranks of Forbes’ annual list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. First on the list was European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, followed by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, United States Vice President Kamala Harris and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Swift, who jumped from the 79th spot in 2022, rounded out the top five.

SCALE TALE

Looking to expand your business in 2024? Do it right, says Impact’s Head of Creative Change Dominic Fitch. “Not all companies manage to scale successfully,” he says. “Common mistakes include attempting to grow too fast, overlooking systems to drive efficiency and hiring new people just for the sake of it.”

A world expert in leadership development, Fitch has put together a list of tips for how to effectively scale your business:

• Set out roles and responsibilities. As companies grow, so do roles and responsibilities. Fitch says an increased headcount should involve clearly defining expectations surrounding individual tasks and duties. “Should there be hiccups along the way, let your people know it’s not the end of the world.”

• Invest in tech and automate admin tasks. Research shows that 40 percent of the average work day is wasted on digital admin processes. Investment in technology can repair this imbalance, says Fitch. “What’s more, tech tools can allow you to keep up to speed with trends in the world of business.”

• Hire sensibly. It’s crucial not to prioritize quantity over quality. A ‘bad’ hire can delay the overall growth of your business. “There’s nothing worse than bringing in people who – for whatever reason – are simply not the right fit for the role.”

• Nurture your company culture. A bigger team means more space to get lost in the mix. It can be challenging for people to adapt, and this is something management should recognize. “Make sure your employees feel seen and supported at all times. Show appreciation for hard work and reward people for their efforts.”

A MOST EFFICIENT YEAR

Being asked to do more with less? You’re not alone. In fact, you’re a part of what’s expected to make 2024 the “year of efficiency”, say some of the world’s top HR professionals. While technological innovations will be par for the course this year, “fairness and equality must also be top priorities,” says Josh Merrill, Co-Founder and CEO of performance management platform Confirm. Eightfold AI Chief Economist Sania Khan believes AI talent will be a focal point of 2024, with “AI transformation” driving a job surge.

Emerging technology will turn a corner in 2024, says Pluralsight CEO Aaron Skonnard, as “we’ll see a shift from AI adoption to AI maturity”. Meanwhile, meQuilibrium CEO Jan Bruce believes business leaders must stay optimistic and guide their teams through a “disordered world”, adding that with leadership “making a full commitment to the potential of their organization, employees will be better able to handle difficult change and come out stronger for it.”

GOLD MEDAL

A radical pivot by an Australian corporate litigator has resulted in the world’s first haircare range for self-tanners. Melanoma survivor Lana Kelly founded Auriche after years of skin cancer operations left her uncomfortable in her own skin. Content to stick to fake tanning rather than risk more time in the sun, Kelly found that DHA, the active ingredient in tanning products, was damaging and discoloring her hair. In response she developed Auriche, which prevents and treats tan-damaged hair using Australian botanicals. “Forced to choose between my hair and my skin was an impossible decision, so I decided to find a solution that meant I wouldn’t have to sacrifice one for the other,” Kelly says.

GO GREEN MACHINE

Hardware and electronics giant Acer has shared its ongoing efforts to tackle global warming. Two new energy storage solutions and its new “conscious technology” were unveiled in December as part of the company’s commitment to the RE100 initiative, which seeks to source 100 percent renewable energy by 2035. “We must speed up the adoption of renewable energy to fight climate change caused by global warming,” said Acer Chairman and CEO Jason Chen. The company’s Conscious Technology for a Brighter Tomorrow exhibition highlights Acer’s environmentally friendly products and services dedicated to uniting and educating its employees to better face environmental challenges. “In 2022, the Acer Group reached 44 percent of renewable electricity usage,” Chen added.