Watson Wyatt Worldwide - Strategy@Work

Retiree Health: Challenges for Brazilian Companies

Employers around the world are struggling with the implications of retiree health care, and Brazil is no exception. A recent Watson Wyatt Voice of the Consumer survey asked more than 2,700 Brazilian employees how they feel about their prospects for post-retirement health care. Seven out of ten (68 percent) said they are concerned or very concerned, while another 29 percent are somewhat concerned.

A Matter of Choice

As director of HR at PT Bank Danamon Indonesia, Muliadi Rahardja knows his company competes in three important markets. First, the bank competes with other banks to attract and retain desirable customers. Second, Danamon competes in the capital market, for business expansion resources. Finally, it competes in the talent market to hire and keep the best employees.

Technology and the Workforce: How to Engage Talent and Build Strategic Advantage

As attracting and retaining critical talent becomes even more challenging, companies need to focus on how to successfully engage their employees once they�re on board. Engaged employees not only are highly committed but also understand how they make a positive contribution.

Russia�s Changing Pensions Landscape

Are you considering doing business in Russia? Already there? Then take note: Things are changing on the pensions landscape.

10 questions for George Bogdewiecz, senior vice president, human resources, Great-West Life and Annuity Insurance Company

Market Turmoil: Making Sense of Today's Investment Landscape

The subprime mortgage crisis in the United States and the declining U.S. dollar have caused market turmoil worldwide. With public officials predicting continuing volatility for the near future, investors, including pension funds, face a perplexing landscape.

New Countries, New Plans:
Preparing for More Global Expansion

China. Russia. Poland. Singapore. Mexico. With stiffer global competition and a weak U.S. dollar, many companies are considering expansion into these and other countries. The reasons are simple: To create new markets for products and services, establish a foothold for future business in a particular region and source more efficient pools of labor.

Reevaluating Your China Strategy

China�s new labor contract law is just 14 pages long, but its impact looms large for any company with employees in that country.

Evolution of Excellence

Since its inception more than 175 years ago in Trieste, Italy, the Generali Group has become one of Europe�s largest and most successful insurers, with millions of clients on five continents. Watson Wyatt has been a trusted advisor to Generali through several key milestones in that evolution, working closely with executives to help the company adapt to changing priorities, new procedures, and better ideas and strategies.

The Impact of the Cheap Dollar on HR
A U.S.-based multinational perspective

If you are a human resources professional in a U.S.-based multinational company, the cheap U.S. dollar might be distorting your vision of the world. And while that�s understandable, fluctuating currencies can have a dramatic and wide-ranging impact on people issues that, in turn, affect the bottom line. It�s important for everyone in the HR realm to understand the practical implications of a world monetary system.

A Look Ahead:
Top Trends Changing the Face of HR

Human resources professionals are accustomed to dealing with incremental, continual change. It comes with the territory and helps makes the work interesting. Sometimes, however, a major shift occurs � one that forces HR to rethink the conventional wisdom about managing a workforce and the workplace.

Global Rewards for Sales:
Creating and Managing a Program Portfolio

Imagine this: The chair of a global FORTUNE 500 company asks management for an inventory of all incentive compensation plans. The CEO thinks the company probably has 10 to 20 plans, but he passes the request along to the chief human resource officer. Then the HR executive asks the global head of rewards.

Emerging Markets: Maximizing Opportunity Across the Globe

Western employers have been expanding into emerging markets for decades, setting up offshoring centers and new sales offices. Despite their considerable global experience, many multinationals are still experimenting with the best way to make the most of their opportunities as the dominant emerging markets � Brazil, Russia, India, China and Mexico (BRICM) � mature, and other countries become increasingly attractive.

Human Capital Challenges in Latin America

Shortages of top-performer talent and changing business environments are altering the way companies in Latin America do business. To more effectively manage costs and gain a competitive edge, leaders are focusing on compensation, benefits, incentives and pension plans for their employees. They�re also tackling intangible aspects of the employment deal, such as corporate climate and opportunities for career development. By taking a regional approach with a concentration on local market practices, Watson Wyatt helps companies control the cost of labor and improve employee engagement.

To better understand the region�s human capital landscape and business realities, experts from Watson Wyatt�s Latin American offices recently discussed the core issues.

Masters of the Game

It was one of the most successful pharmaceutical joint ventures in recent history. But after combining the animal health operations of U.S.-based Merck & Co. with France-based sanofi-aventis, Merial Limited wasn�t satisfied � executives wanted to be the undisputed worldwide leader in animal health products.

10 questions for Karen Miles, executive vice president, human resources, ExpressJet Airlines

ExpressJet Airlines is one of the world�s largest operators of regional aircraft � providing both commercial services to partner airlines such as Continental and Delta, and corporate aviation flights to a variety of clients from sports teams to executives.

Taking Charge

In recent years, The First American Corporation has become a FORTUNE 300 company and one of the most dynamic and fast-growing players in the title insurance and financial services industry � to the tune of approximately 50 M&A deals a year.

10 Questions for Rebecca Ranninger, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Symantec

Hybrid Plans: Another Way to Provide Retirement Security

The new U.S. pension reform law has given employers the green light to again offer hybrid retirement plans, such as cash balance plans. Hybrid plans combine the features of traditional defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution plans, such as 401(k)s. Many organizations are now exploring ways these plans can help them manage their workforce and communicate the value of retirement benefits to employees.

Directors Panel: What the Board Wants to Hear From HR

Human resources issues, once regarded as being �soft,� are now the topic of serious discussion at the highest level in most companies: the boardroom. While many HR directors welcome this new attention, some are uncertain about how to address the board�s requests and its desire for advice and planning help.

Watson Wyatt recently hosted a discussion on this issue. Five directors offered practical advice on what the board wants to hear from HR, and how to view this transition in the boardroom.