Mobility Services Continue to Focus on Compliance, Though Client Demand in 2023 Has Shifted to Talent and Skills Management According to ALM’s New Pacesetter Report

A new report on Mobility finds that innovators among professional services providers have shifted their focus from the physical deployment of people to the mobilization of talent and skills, helping clients build long-term resiliency into the service delivery models.

New York, NY – May 18, 2023–A new report from Law.com Compass Pacesetter Research (previously known as ALM Intelligence Pacesetter Research) finds that professional service providers and their clients have mostly worked through much of the regulatory speed bumps created by the economic and political turmoil that arose in the wake of the 2008 recession and Brexit, challenging company mobility strategies. However, clients in 2023 are still grappling with mobility challenges, and some new (Russia sanctions, West-China relations) and some old (the continuing rollback of globalization), and with the elevated focus on the employee experience, mobility continues to be a global concern. As a result, the service emphasis among innovators in professional services has moved from a compliance checklist approach towards a more actively-managed employee-centric system that anchors mobility in service delivery and the customer experience.“The pandemic gave rise to a renewed war for talent and The Great Resignation forcing organizations to reevaluate their skills availability and shortages,” said Ruth Sierra, Analyst, Law.com Compass Pacesetter Research. “Today’s Innovators are those professional services providers who help clients strategically reskill and upskill talent to fill skill gaps needed to meet organizational goals.” 

Key trends identified in this research include:

–In 2023, professional services providers still operate in a reasonably reactive mode focused on compliance issues related to mobility, such as immigration, taxes, and employment law 

– Employees are increasingly placing more value on jobs that provide training and development, career advancement, skills growth, developmental leadership opportunities, etc.,  and some organizations struggle with delivering successful solutions that meet overall business goals, causing clients to look to the human capital dimension of their service delivery models for a solution

– Many clients are looking for technology platform solutions that combine a full scope of services (e.g., payroll & benefits, cost projections, immigration and visa document management, travel advisories, and project lifecycle) for solutions

– Advanced data analytics are increasingly used to help clients more actively manage skill sets (e.g., skill mapping),  employee career development and pathways, etc.

– With ESG regulations and mandated scheduled disclosures, Innovators are integrating ESG, specifically DEI initiatives, as part of their strategic talent management approach

– The pandemic created new ways of working (hybrid/remote), which have further complicated the definition of mobility

While it is uncertain if this trend will hold constant with a weakening economy and rising layoffs, through the pandemic, clients have come to realize that investing in the human capital dimension is fundamental to developing service delivery models aligned to reach overall business goals. A human capital focus has caused organizations to reevaluate their talent and skills gaps to build a strategic framework that will match skill sets to business goals. As detailed in the report, Innovators in 2023 approach mobility challenges first with a talent management lens and the standard regulatory requirements helping clients build comprehensive long-term service delivery models. In Law.com Compass Pacesetter Research: Mobility 2023-2024, the Pacesetter Advisory Council assessed dozens of providers to arrive at fifteen Innovators recognized for their ability to help clients navigate an increasingly complex market environment. The research and analysis also provide insights into the competitive dynamics and service delivery trends driving convergence across legal, management consulting, multi-service, and boutique mobility specialist providers.

In this report, Law.com Compass Pacesetter Research evaluates the innovation in Mobility capabilities and offerings of the following providers: Accenture, AIRINC, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL), Crown World Mobility, Deloitte, Eversheds Sutherland, EY, Grant Thornton, KPMG, Mayor Brown, Mercer, North Highland, SIRVA BGRS, Vialto Partners, Withersworldwide. 

Law.com Compass Pacesetter Research provides independent, objective research to providers and buyers of professional services and practical insights that inform decision-making processes. 

To learn more about the research or to obtain the full version of the Mobility report, go to https://www.alm.com/intelligence/pacesetter-research-2/mobility/.

For more information or the full version of the ALM Intelligence Pacesetter Research series, visit https://www.alm.com/intelligence/pacesetter-research/. 

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