With the year 2024 quickly coming to an end, companies are once again at the crossroads, needing to assess the past months and lay the groundwork for the opportunities and challenges of the upcoming year. According to GoodHabitz, the international corporate training platform, six key trends will define how organizations can adapt and remain competitive amid rapid technological advancements and AI integration.
Based on insights gleaned from over 3,500 client companies, GoodHabitz’s findings reflect the perspectives of HR and Learning & Development (L&D) leaders who aim to provide effective and engaging learning solutions. Data from the platform reveal notable trends among Italian users throughout 2024, with interests varying from time management and sustainability to psychological wellbeing.
The growing intrigue surrounding artificial intelligence highlights the desire for employees to understand and integrate new technologies at work. Their reports indicate, “AI's influence is omnipresent as organizations explore its potential to reshape work dynamics.” The first trend highlights the necessity of honing human skills as AI usage escalates.
Trend 1: A Focus on Human Qualities Amid Increasing Automation
The widespread use of AI compels individuals to invest time and resources in developing personal skills to retain the workplace's quality and value. A recent GoodHabitz study revealed approximately 70% of UK workers are using AI for personal and professional tasks, predominantly among Gen Z, with 76% relying on AI for various objectives.
Despite this, 79% of workers believe AI can spark new learning opportunities; nonetheless, 67% feel unprepared to work efficiently alongside it. “The adoption of AI brings forth both possibilities and challenges; training is key.” This sentiment is echoed by Gartner's HR trends for 2025, which anticipates functional productivity improvements of 23% within 12 to 18 months due to generative AI.
Trend 2: Significance of Change Management
Businesses are experiencing unprecedented levels of organizational change, driven by new technologies, cultural transformations, and generational gaps. Research from Gartner suggests 74% of HR professionals feel managers are ill-prepared to direct such changes, with 73% stating employees often suffer from change fatigue.
The learning and development of continuous training act as catalysts to help personnel navigate transitions. “Facilitators must be equipped to instill resilience and adaptability,” emphasizes the report.
Trend 3: Ongoing Leadership Development
Essential to change management is leadership development, particularly among middle managers. Improving leadership skills can amplify employee motivation, streamline conflict management and boost overall team performance.
GoodHabitz's roundtable discussions reveal many organizations promote highly skilled technical professionals as leaders, yet these individuals may lack the emotional intelligence needed to guide teams effectively. The need for emotional intelligence training is evident as it fosters conflict resolution and team cohesion.
Trend 4: Personalization of Training Programs
AI's emergence has led to personalized training programs, allowing employees to create their own learning journeys based on individual needs. According to GoodHabitz, 62% of respondents find pleasure and engagement through personalized learning experiences.
Investment toward continuous training enhances productivity and retention, adapting to the dynamic nature of today’s careers. The shift from conventional career trajectories increases the demand for soft skills, with 81% of respondents highlighting the need for self-awareness, and 79% advocating for talent development.
Trend 5: Centering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)
Inclusive organizations offer equitable access to opportunities, promoting connection and respect within work environments. It is imperative to integrate DE&I principles within corporate practices, as well-implemented strategies improve opportunity access and cultivate belonging.
The ISO 30415:2021 framework provides organizations with guidance for embedding diversity and inclusion practices to align with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Trend 6: The Rising Influence of Employee Wellbeing
Mental health and employee wellbeing rank high on many companies' agendas. Recently released studies reveal about 30% of Italian employees express intentions to change jobs due to growing fatigue from their roles, with only 55% satisfied with their career progression.
Investments toward stress management and personal development programs can mitigate these concerns, yet the awareness toward soft skills development remains limited among Italian workers. “The ability to adapt to current trends is key to fostering successful company culture,” notes Paolo Carnovale, Country Director for GoodHabitz Italy.
Meanwhile, enterprise leaders across Europe are grappling with the impact of generative AI on business operations. Cathy Mauzaize, President of EMEA for ServiceNow, highlights several overarching trends poised to define 2025 as the year organizations focus on realizing value.
Organizations discover the importance of data integrity when implementing AI-driven projects. Mauzaize emphasizes the need for clean, structured data to prevent project failures, noting, “Proof of concept often falters without real data.”
Ensuring transparency surrounding data management will become imperative as the AI environment matures. Security, risk, and effective governance will dominate organizational leader concerns, transitioning these issues from IT boards to CEOs at the forefront of corporate strategy.
CEOs must champion ethical AI usage to build and uphold trust among stakeholders. The governance of AI should align with broader business strategies, concentrating on creating value and encouraging responsible innovation.
The workforce's future hinges upon humans and AI collaboratively advancing workplace potential. Mauzaize asserts this transition focuses more on human skills rather than requiring extensive technical proficiency, enabling new roles to emerge embracing both human and artificial intelligence integration.
Companies poised for success will learn to integrate AI effectively, ensuring their workforce evolves with this changing technological stance. “Recognizing AI’s potential as supportive rather than limiting is pivotal for future success,” says Mauzaize. Together, leaders, employees, and AI can create powerful synergies, steering the business world toward enhanced possibilities and productive work environments.
