Summit Materials

Susanna Mikaelyan

Susanna Mikaelyan is a seasoned expert in developing comprehensive global talent management strategies essential for fostering business success. Her commitment to accountability and innovation permeates every aspect of her work, leveraging her profound proficiency in employee communication, training, and performance management. Mikaelyan’s zeal for exploring diverse cultures is evident in her passion for travel, literary exploration, and studying the human psyche. Guided by her enduring values of balance and family, she adeptly steers through change, earning her reputation as a trusted coach and facilitator across varied environments.

Can you share your journey and elaborate on your current role within your organization?

Over the past decade, I have dedicated myself to elevating talent management strategies and refining employee experiences within manufacturing, industrial, and construction materials organizations. With a keen focus on global scalability, I have adeptly navigated diverse cultures to craft comprehensive talent strategies encompassing performance management, learning and development, succession planning, employee engagement, and fostering positive work cultures. Additionally, I have spearheaded change management initiatives within my current role, ensuring seamless alignment between organizational objectives and employee experiences through strategic interventions.

In my present environment, characterized by dispersed operations, I employ unique communication, training, and engagement approaches. Establishing strong connections between personnel and our organizational mission and vision is imperative, thereby fostering a cohesive and motivated workforce.

What recent developments or shifts have you observed in the industry landscape? Are there particular trends or aspects that have gained significance recently but were not as notable around 18 months ago?

My primary focus centers on skillset management within our organization, a pivotal aspect in ensuring workforce readiness for current and future demands. Effective skillset management facilitates seamless succession planning, aligns individuals with open positions, and cultivates organizational agility. In today’s dynamic landscape, swift adaptability is paramount for organizational success. Possessing the right skillset enhances productivity and fosters a competitive edge.

"Effective skillset management facilitates seamless succession planning, aligns individuals with open positions, and cultivates organizational agility"

Analyzing prevailing trends in the US market reveals two prominent factors: the ascendance of artificial intelligence and the baby boomer generation’s retirement. With approximately 12,000 baby boomers turning 65 daily until 2030, a noticeable skills gap emerges, exacerbated by technological advancements reshaping industries. Consequently, proactive talent development initiatives become imperative to mitigate this gap and fortify our competitive stance in the evolving marketplace.

What advice would you offer to your peers and colleagues on creating seamless processes within their organizations?

 I encourage fellow professionals to embrace a paradigm shift by fostering creative thinking and innovative approaches. Reevaluate job design and departmental dynamics to cultivate progressive learning environments. Reframe performance management strategies for skill development, mentoring, and succession planning. Integrating these practices seamlessly bridges the traditional-innovative divide, fostering a harmonious and forward-thinking organizational culture.

What key drivers, beyond technological advancements, do you anticipate shaping industry growth over the next 18-24 months?

In our industry, the crux of my response is deeply embedded within its contextual fabric. At its core lies a pivotal inquiry into the transformative influence of technology on my role, market dynamics, and competitive landscape. This exploration extends beyond the immediate sphere of direct competitors, encompassing the broader panorama of our industry. Effectively navigating these evolving landscapes necessitates a proactive stance: should I initiate the process of work redesign now, acknowledging its inevitability? Adapting to technological shifts is not merely a prospect but an imminent imperative, mandating seamless integration into our organizational strategies. Yet, we must not overlook the indispensable role of organizational culture. While some cultures readily embrace change, others manifest resistance despite evidence of evolving skill sets. Procrastination is a luxury we cannot afford; however, the cultural dimension will intricately shape our trajectory and solve this multifaceted challenge.