To create change, we need to stem Australia's productivity slide, Jarrod McGrath

The Canberra Times, April 1, 2023

The Productivity Commission's long-awaited five-year report found Australia is the most unproductive it's been in 60 years, with productivity falling to just 1.1 per cent growth each years. Read the complete article.

Partnering to empower people globally – UKG SKO

Check out our latest blog to find out more and come talk to us at UKG SKO.

Smart WFM are thrilled to announce we are on the road and heading to UKG SKO this month. We’ve got one thing on our mind as we build on our mission to empower people globally: Partnership. We are looking for strategic partnership opportunities with businesses that have similar purpose and values to ours. Read the complete article.

ETHRWorld, Inaugural Advisory Board appointment supports continued global expansion as Smart WFM targets the A$44 billion HCM market. May 18, 2022.

A warm welcome to Andrew Griffiths who has officially joined Smart WFM today as the inaugural appointment to our new Global Advisory Board, and as Director of Marketing, Branding and Messaging.

Andrew is the author of 14 bestselling business books and brings more than 25 years of business, marketing, and communications experience having worked with a broad range of companies and political bodies worldwide. He’s also worked closely with our founder and CEO Jarrod McGrath to launch The Digital Workforce (1st and 2nd edition), so he knows the journey we’re on while bringing an outsider’s perspective to it. Read the complete article.

ETHRWorld, Montefiore navigates COVID outbreaks with people-focused workforce management system. December 9, 2021.

Smart WFM supported the implementation of a new workforce management system to Montefiore.

Deploying the cloud-based UKG system has replaced a number of disconnected manual processes with a simple application to manage workforce logistics, including rostering. Read the complete article.

Consultancy.us, Australian-born HCM consultancy Smart WFM expands into US. November 18, 2021.

Smart WFM has expanded into the US as part of an international growth strategy targeting several new markets across the world.

The expansion follows consistent year-over-year growth for the company, achieving a 67% increase in revenues and tripling both its team and client base in the past three years. Read the complete article.

Consultancy.in, Human capital consultancy Smart WFM expands into India. November 2, 2021.

Global human capital management (HCM) consultancy Smart WFM is aiming to expand its presence in markets across the world, with India a key focus market.

McGrath says at the core of the expansion is unlocking people’s passions and developing their skills relevant to the organisations of today along with driving productivity improvements into the local and global economy. Read the complete article.

People Matters, Smart WFM expands global footprint, hires Rob Scott as operations chief. October 8, 2021.

Smart WFM has unveiled its global expansion model – setting up Indian and US subsidiaries and embarking on a new era of global leadership.

The firm has kickstarted its initiatives with the promotion of Rob Scott, from being Global Lead of Human Capital Management and Behavioural Technologist, to being Chief Operating Officer. Read the complete article.

ETHRWorld, Smart WFM reveals its global expansion plan; appoints Rob Scott as Chief Operating Officer. October 7, 2021.

The expansion and skills academy will also heighten focus on trust and transparency, people wellbeing, and building long-term engagement.

As Smart WFM decides to accelerate its global expansion in India and the US, the company embarks on this journey with a new global leadership team and a skills development academy that will focus on maximising people value. Read the complete article.

CRN, Sydney HCM consultancy Smart WFM expands global presence with subsidiaries in US, India. October 6, 2021.

Smart WFM is setting up subsidiaries in India and the USA in order to spur its global expansion.

“In the US for example, productivity is very high – particularly in the retail sector. We can leverage the insights that drive that productivity into other markets like Australia, where productivity is waning”, says Jarrod McGrath. Read the complete article.

Intelligent CXO, New book launches to give businesses roadmap for a modern digital workforce. August 31, 2021.

Align, Prepare, Track, Implement and Measure.

“This book is about changing the way we think about the workforce, creating workforce initiatives that work, and not only understanding people’s passions, but weaving those passions into the very fabric of the organisation”, says Jarrod McGrath Read the complete article.

Balance The Grind, Balancing the Grind with Jarrod McGrath, Founder & CEO at Smart WFM. August 25, 2021.

Jarrod's career, book, and approach to work-life balance.

“One day we might be looking into expansion into a new region. There’s lots of recruitment activity as we’re growing about two-fold every year, business development, checking in with the team, and I’m always looking at the operating model to see how we can improve as a business.”, Says Jarrod McGrath Read the complete article.

BusyContinent, Jarrod McGrath launches new book to give businesses roadmap for a modern digital workforce. August 25, 2021.

Leveraging insights from business and human resources leaders worldwide to maximise the value of people in business.

The importance of wellbeing is highlighted in the book, with a traditionally narrow focus impeding organisations from leveraging technology and their environments to promote wellbeing, whether it’s physical, mental, social, financial, intellectual and emotional. Read the complete article.

Economic Times, Jarrod McGrath launches new book to give businesses a modern digital workforce roadmap. August 18, 2021.

The importance of trust and transparency, wellbeing and a people-first mindset post COVID.

“Business and HR leaders are trying to understand what their workforce will look like and what will make their people tick post pandemic, and that needs to go far beyond the flexibility buzzword”, Says Jarrod McGrath Read the complete article.

Consultancy.com.au, The importance of people, trust and transparency in a digital workforce. August 17, 2021.

As business and HR leaders get to grips with the post-pandemic workforce and workplace, it’s all about putting people at the epicentre.

“I think what we really need to focus on now is redefining the boundaries of the home and work within this flexible environment, and figuring out how they come together to support wellbeing as well as business success”, says Jarrod McGrath Read the complete article.

AusBiz: Jarrod's Digital Workforce 2nd Edition; like the first, but better! August 6, 2021.

HR wisdom in the age of COVID-19

Smart WFM's Founder and CEO Jarrod McGrath, who's gone and written tome number two, has been off leveraging insights from business and human resources honcho's worldwide. The book demonstrates a five-step workforce method to maximise the value of people in modern organisations and the fact is, there's been a lot of the opposite during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the complete article.

CIOTechAsia, Businesses must adapt to the digital hybrid workforce. August 5, 2021.

Ensure investments in workforce management

“This book is about changing the way we think about the workforce, creating workforce initiatives that work, and not only understanding people’s passions, but weaving those passions into the very fabric of the organisation”, says Jarrod McGrath Read the complete article.

Time to ditch our P&L mindset as we rethink business and the economy | 17th May 2021

As we edge closer to a post-pandemic world, with the vaccine rollout underway and the end of restrictions in the crosshairs, we’re left to wonder what will really change for the long term after this profound shock to the system. Read the complete article.

AusBiz: Budget 2021 and Impacts on People

The big-spend Budget requires a fresh approach from Government and industry to how we connect people, processes and technology in the post-pandemic era. The building blocks are in place, but we can’t underestimate how important it is to apply modern workforce management practice to sectoral investment, skills training and digital economy. Doing so will ensure we don’t repeat past mistakes and create people-first digital transformation in Australia. Read the complete article.

Reskill to thrive in an era of upheaval. May 7, 2021.

To survive, it’s more important than ever to value the people you already have, nurture their talents and align their passions to achieve business goals. Read the complete article.

People are at the epicentre of everything we do- AI doesn't change that | April 2021

We need a mindset change on how we approach not just technology, but also people and processes in the workforce. Despite the prevalence and perceived threat of technologies which can upend how we earn a living, industry leaders recognise the importance of their people more than ever. Read the complete article.

Smart WFM appoints Deloitte veteran Rob Scott as global expansion continues

Key appointment follows two years’ consecutive 100% expansion as HCM consultancy continues expansion in Australia, Asia and US

Sydney, February 15, 2021 – Global human capital management (HCM) consultancy, Smart WFM, today announced the appointment of Rob Scott to the new role of Global Lead HCM & Behavioural Technologist. It follows a consistent YoY doubling of Smart WFM’s revenue, staff and customers over the past two years and expansion to Asia and the US. Read the complete article.

Smart WFM Australian Business Book of the Year Winner Announced | Thursday, November 26, 2020

The 2020 Smart WFM Australian Business Book Awards finalists, category winners and “Book of The Year” were announced last night during a virtual Awards ceremony. Read the complete article.

We’re spending nearly a trillion dollars on people with no idea of ROI | The Mandarin, Thursday November 12, 2020

The latest ABS data we have on Australian labour costs takes us all the way back to the 2015-16 financial year, with the next release date unknown – this is fitting for how little we know about how much Australian businesses spend on people, or the return they get from it Read the complete article.

COVID-19 exposes challenging gap in our management of health staff. October 16, 2020.

Healthcare professionals are battling to save lives every day, and with frontline healthcare workers also falling ill to due to COVID-19, making adequate staffing decisions to save lives is becoming more difficult.

Most of the rhetoric around the pandemic’s impact on how we work has centred on industries and roles that are more suited to working from home anyway. Many even see it as an accelerated progression of what was bound to come amid demand for increasingly flexible working arrangements. Read the complete article.

Why a new approach to technology is crucial in IR reform. July 3, 2020.

Workplace agreements struck up between enterprises, unions and staff rarely take into account the capability of company technology systems to implement them.

There’s very little about 2020 so far that could have easily been predicted, but one thing that comes as no surprise is that industrial relations (IR) reform has become centre stage for Australia’s ambitious JobMaker plan and financial exit strategy from COVID-19. Read the complete article.

Smart WFM expands into Asia with new Singapore office

"The expansion follows considerable demand in Asia for workforce management (WFM) and HR services and software"

Smart WFM’s new Singapore office is now operational, as the company looks to bring more WFM and HR services and software to help businesses drive productivity and accountability. Read the complete article.

Smart WFM launches Service On Demand to help organisations manage workforce during pandemic

Initial three services to focus on workforce enablement, industry best practice and Kronos-specific consultation.

SYDNEY, Australia – 7 April, 2020 – Australian strategic HR workforce management consultancy, Smart WFM, today launched a new set of on-demand services to simplify workforce management resulting from the sudden transition to work-from-home. The services are aimed at creating flexibility to cater for service disruption and help guide organisations through the new ways of work brought on by COVID-19. Read the complete article.

Good workers don't blame tools, so don't blame software for wage theft. Jarrod McGrath. March 2, 2020.

As some of Australia’s largest employers reel from the underpayment scandal that has run riot in recent weeks, some have been quick to blame the software they decided to purchase.

The adage of "a good craftsman never blames his tools" comes to mind here. Businesses shouldn’t blame the software they’re using if they’ve failed to get their own processes in place or if they haven’t configured them to manage their varying enterprise agreements. The level of inefficiency in many businesses can be truly shocking. Read the complete article.

Smart WFM Launches Apitome Software Suite to Optimise Workforces

Expert software suite delivers measurable benefits to increase productivity and tackle compliance and other timely workforce issues

"Apitome epitomises business software that enables organisations to quickly see what impact workforce changes may have on their business, based on their own actual business data", says Jarrod McGrath Read the complete article.

The Australian, Engaging Staff isn’t a Box-Ticking Exercise, Jarrod McGrath. June 22, 2019.

Engaging your people and acting on their feedback is expected.

Engaging Staff Isn’t Box Ticking a Box. Our CEO, Jarrod McGrath speaks about how you can use surveys to drive employee engagement, increase productivity, improve culture and attract and retain customers. Article first Published in The Australian, June 22-23, 2019. Read the complete article.

HRM Asia, Engagement: Don’t let it start and finish with a survey, Jarrod McGrath. April 30, 2019.

Engagement adds value by improving what staff needed improved upon

“Engagement is not a tick-box, one-time exercise, it must be continued activity that is constantly reviewed and improved upon”, Says Jarrod McGrath Read the complete article.

HRM, How to combine workforce management and HR systems, Jarrod McGrath.  September 7, 2018.

Four tips for implementing an effective workplace management system

“The problem a lot of professionals face is that they can’t simply smash separate HR and WFM systems together in the hope that they’ll talk to each other and operate cohesively”, Says Jarrod McGrath Read the complete article.

HRM, Inteview with Jarrod McGrath for AHRI Event, Kate Neilson.  July 24, 2018.

Five steps to implement a digital workforce strategy

“When you put HR and workforce management together you get greater value. It makes processes more efficient and can help to build and develop a culture within your organisation”, Says Jarrod McGrath Read the complete article.

Human Resources Director New Zealand.  June 21, 2018.

Is HR the key driver of culture in 2018?

According to McGrath, culture manifests itself through our ideas, actions and words in the workplace, at home and throughout our everyday lives…. Read the complete article.

The CEO Magazine, Holly Johnson. 10 May, 2018.

The robots are coming: Here’s why you should embrace it, not fight it.

The Digital Workforce teaches important lessons on how true organisational optimisation can solve problems all the way from profitability to customer retention… Read the complete article.

Fifth Qadrant, FX Editor. May 8, 2018.

New book tackles why Australian businesses are getting workforce management wrong.

As industries journey through the Fourth Industrial Revolution, most organisations in Australia don’t understand nor execute workforce management effectively, and, in fact, are woefully unaware of how technology has an impact on staff and their business. A recent global survey found that almost 95 per cent of organisations worldwide don’t know how to manage their workforce effectively… Read the complete article.

Workplace Info, Grace Ormsby. May 8, 2018.

Want a smarter way to manage your workforce?

HR expert and author Jarrod McGrath is urging businesses to embrace the new world of digital workforce management with a five-step methodology to smarter workforce management… Read the complete article.

HR Technology News, Iain Hopkins. May 4, 2018.

‘Woefully unaware’: Is your digital WFM plan destined to fail?

Too many business leaders launch a digital workforce management (WFM) transformation plan without first understanding what WFM means in an age where the workplace is being shaped not just by technology but gig workers and demands for more flexibility. That’s the key message to emerge from author Jarrod McGrath’s new book, The Digital Workforce… Read the complete article.

Steadfast, Nigel Bowen. April 30, 2018.

How to automate your business, so you can focus on what you do best?

Automating the gig economy. “As a general rule, technology used to most benefit large, well-resourced businesses,” observes Jarrod McGrath (McGrath is the owner of Smart WFM and author of The Digital Workforce)… Read the complete article.

HRM, How to combine workforce management and HR systems, Jarrod McGrath. September 7, 2018.

Four tips for implementing an effective workplace management system

“The problem a lot of professionals face is that they can’t simply smash separate HR and WFM systems together in the hope that they’ll talk to each other and operate cohesively”, Says Jarrod McGrath Read the complete article.