A press conference to present the Economist Intelligence Unit study in conjunction with MAXIS GBN

Maria R. Morris, Executive Vice President, Global Employee Benefits, MetLife and MAXIS Executive Board Member, together with Didier Weckner, CEO of AXA France Group Life Business, Chairman of MAXIS GBN, undertook a press conference on the topic 'Global Talent Shortage Worries Multinationals More than Revolution or Recession.'

They presented the findings from the Economist Intelligence Unit study in conjunction with MAXIS GBN - 'Scaling Risk to Opportunity'. This was an opportunity to engage members of the general and specialised press on the various factors that impact the strategies of our multinational clients in their international development.

A majority of executives of multinational corporations cite a growing global shortage of talent as a factor that could limit their entry into both developed and emerging markets more so than economic weakness or even political instability, according to a report presented today by AXA Group and MetLife, Inc.’s MAXIS Global Benefits Network (GBN).

Forty percent of the multinationals surveyed say they intend to expand their operations in both developed and emerging markets, including but not limited to the so-called BRIC emerging markets encompassing Brazil, Russia, India and China. The findings of the study, sponsored by MAXIS GBN, are based on an Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey of more than 350 executives from multinational companies. The macroeconomic focused research covers findings gathered from various industry sectors and locations, both in mature and developing countries. The report seeks to outline the international development strategies multinationals are employing to achieve successful growth at a global scale. The research also looks at the challenges to their growth.

“Far and away the biggest challenge for multinational corporations is finding the talent in local markets to expand their business,” said Maria Morris, executive vice president, Global Employee Benefits, MetLife and MAXIS executive board member. “The war for talent is alive and being fought on a global scale.”

Download the Global Talent Shortage press release (PDF) here.