Embracing the age of automation

DEMOGRAPHIC changes and economic forces have combined to transform today's business landscape. The shift is here to stay. With attrition rates growing in many regions, especially Asia, retention of skilled talent has become a growing concern for businesses and leaders are forced to focus more on talent management. Expectations of the Asian workforce in the region's emerging markets are rapidly evolving as well - people now want to contribute in more tangible and creative ways at work.

Apart from attracting the right talent, business leaders are faced with the challenge of sourcing and managing their workforce better in an increasingly connected world. Now, it is imperative that boardroom decisions on business innovation factor in the changing global talent pool as well as the role of technology.

Herein lies the need for advanced, intelligent technology solutions, such as robotics automation, in the workplace. Its business benefits are real - enabling companies to streamline labour-intensive, legacy processes and offer workers the chance to engage in higher-level thinking, all while delivering consistent results. Governments in the region recognise this and are channelling national resources to upskill workers and advance their nation's productivity through the use of automation. In Singapore, the government has pumped in more than S$450 million as part of the National Robotics Programme, towards efforts to become a Smart Nation.