http://www.watsonwyatt.com Latest Watson Wyatt Strategy@Work Articles en-us Copyright 2005 Watson Wyatt Worldwide http://backend.userland.com/rss091 2/8/2012 12:57:07 PM 20 Watson Wyatt's Jim McKay, senior consultant, met recently with Liz Huldin, director of M&A and integration at Boeing, and Larry Cook, program leader of HR M&A and benefits integration at General Electric, to discuss how HR professionals can play an active role in the global M&A process. The three covered the keys to M&A success and some potential pitfalls.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=22882Flu season can be challenging for employers as well as employees, but this year’s emergence of swine flu, or the H1N1 virus, raises the stakes. Protecting employees’ health and ensuring business continuity during a pandemic requires thoughtful policies, strong communication and enough flexibility to respond quickly to changes in the pandemic’s severity.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=22850As the debate surrounding health care reform continues, four Watson Wyatt consultants weigh in on what reform could mean for employers around the country and recommend steps for employers to take now.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=22846Most mature companies across all industries want more business from their existing customers. To that end, many sales executives embark upon a mission to find the secret to successful cross-selling. Unfortunately, many start the journey by exploring their sales compensation plans, believing that insufficient motivation prevents their sales forces from expanding customer share. They often juice up their compensation programs, hoping that will provide the right incentive for cross-selling.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=22811When Sarbanes-Oxley passed in 2002, the global benefits management landscape in the United States altered dramatically. So much so that the vernacular changed. Before Sarbanes-Oxley or SOX, multinational corporations (MNCs) talked about global benefits management. Since then, MNCs have been concerned with global benefits governance.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=22737Leadership – at all levels of an organization – is an unmistakable priority. And having a leadership pipeline in place that aligns with the overall business strategy has become a strategic imperative, particularly in the current economy. Succession planning has never been more important. A strong succession planning process should focus on developing a pool of individuals with critical, adaptable skills who are ready to lead when called upon.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=22674Four Watson Wyatt thought leaders discuss what social media really means, and how businesses can use it to their advantage.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=22543Responding to the current recession, companies have turned toward downsizing as an effective way to cut costs, and competitors have seized this opportunity to recruit top sales performers. Downsizing companies risk losing their best sales and marketing talent, particularly if they lack a strong retention program. And the negative impact of losing salespeople – which is never good for either costs or revenues – is even more relevant during a recession.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=22340Health care leader Roche needed a global, non-traditional DB plan that would reduce future pension liabilities and give employees added benefits responsibility, but still comply with German law.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=22312With buy-in from leaders and a comprehensive communication strategy, CNH's wellness program sees 60 percent participation in its first year.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21800Even as employers look ahead to an eventual economic recovery, they will continue to face many challenges, such as the potential disengagement of top performers. By implementing strategic workforce planning as a key part of their business planning process, organizations can be sure they’ll have the necessary talent to achieve business goals.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=22138As companies scramble to keep their costs in check, some are cutting retirement benefits by freezing or closing pension plans or suspending their contribution matches. Four Watson Wyatt experts discuss what effect this has had on plan sponsors and employees and the shape the retirement landscape might take in the future.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=22061When it comes to adding value to an organization, employees cover the full spectrum. Some possess critical skills. Some hold jobs pivotal to their organizations’ success. And others are simply more productive than their counterparts in whatever they do.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21993Asia-Pacific employers expect some economic recovery beginning either late this year or early next year, but are still keeping a close eye on expenses. Employee benefits, which account for a sizable proportion of employee costs, are an obvious target for cost review. In the Asia-Pacific region, however, the law generally prevents employers from cutting benefits. As a result, most employers tend to control costs by stringently managing benefit claims, eliminating noncontractual perks and putting new benefit initiatives on hold.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21908Even in the best of times, companies struggle to align employees’ goals with those of the organization. That task has become even more challenging in the current economic environment. With fewer resources and smaller workforces, employees are being asked to do more with less. At the same time, employee benefits, along with merit and incentive budgets, have been cut. Caught in the middle of this dilemma, managers are searching for creative new ways to engage and recognize employees.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21897The markets have been extremely volatile during the economic downturn. Values of risky assets have declined dramatically, creating large deficits in pension funds. Risk taking has not paid off, and the prospect of sizeable increases in companies’ contributions to fund employee pensions is disconcerting.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21779Despite best intentions, it can be difficult to get sales incentive plans completed and rolled out in time for the new fiscal year. But revisiting your sales strategy and incentive plans regularly is imperative, and keeping a realistic timeline for redesign is key.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21515Let’s face it: Many employees are unsettled and distracted. Stress levels are running high, as workers worry about an uncertain economy and their own job security. As a result, helping your employees get or stay physically, mentally and financially healthy is more important than ever.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21517http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21184Five Watson Wyatt thought leaders discuss workforce reductions from several different standpoints including communication, budgetary implications, workforce planning and alternative measures.http://www.watsonwyatt.com/search/parser.asp?ID=21163