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Our @HarvardHBS MBA course on #ManagingTheFutureOfWork is underway!
I share a few key ideas from each class that sparked conversation.
Class 12 looked at Walmart's efforts to compete in the age of ecommerce, including by revamping its workforce (case 819-042).
I share a few key ideas from each class that sparked conversation.
Class 12 looked at Walmart's efforts to compete in the age of ecommerce, including by revamping its workforce (case 819-042).
The Great Recession hammered lower-skill workers: even in the recovery, employment numbers have been lagging. Walmart, the US' largest private employer, employs a significant proportion of lower-skilled workers - changes it makes have national impact.
Beginning in 2015, Walmart (under new CEO Doug McMillon) made a series of investments in its workforce, which required greater skills for handling groceries, increased customer service, etc. At times, the market hammered Walmart on announcing these investments, but they stuck.
Walmart also developed new training frameworks…
…and invested heavily in automation and robots. The likely end result will be a smaller but higher-skilled workforce.
Overall, the class gave good marks to Walmart, but the main lesson taken was the intense and competing pressure the many stakeholders place on Walmart.
Overall, the class gave good marks to Walmart, but the main lesson taken was the intense and competing pressure the many stakeholders place on Walmart.
Looking to Walmart in 2030, class projected: much larger use of gig workers, fewer overall employees, a higher skill/more tech-savvy workforce, and a greater focus on ecommerce.
McMillon discussed his vision in a 2017 speech at @econclubny:
McMillon discussed his vision in a 2017 speech at @econclubny:
