History of Innovation
Manpower has always been on the cutting edge of change, the leading player in shaping the future world of work and renewing labor markets. This endures today as the company seeks contemporary ways to advance the workforce and prepare for the labor market of tomorrow. Founded in the United States in 1948, Manpower has always been a pioneer and an innovator in the world of work. In the 1950s, women were extremely uncommon in the workplace, but Manpower provided women with a bridge to employment. This spirit of innovation and inclusiveness continued as Manpower focused on creating ways for key groups such as minorities and people with disabilities to enter the workforce.
In 1976, Manpower introduced its first-of-a-kind Predictable
Performance System, a process of recruitment, testing and training workers in order to match the right employees with the right job. This proprietary system allows Manpower to provide its clients with the most qualified employee based on their requirements, as well as place workers into positions that align with their skills, interests and abilities. More recently, Manpower has focused on expanding the range of services for its 4.1 million permanent and temporary employees and 400,000 clients in 73 countries and territories around the world. The acquisitions of Jefferson Wells International in 2001 and Right Management in 2003 were instrumental in this effort, allowing Manpower to provide services for the entire business and employment cycle.
In addition, Manpower has opened 1000 local offices since 1999, expanding the footprint of the organization by 17 countries. These countries include Bulgaria, China, El Salvador, Estonia, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Nicaragua, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Today, a major focus of the company is what’s next in the world of work and preparing for what is to come. In May 2005, Manpower announced the launch of its first international partnership office in China designed to introduce and adapt international employment best practices to support China’s rapidly expanding economy. This strategic move is an example of how Manpower is working with
employers and governments around the world to align people strategies with workplace and demographic realities, such as the impending talent shortage, that are becoming growing global challenges.
In October 2005, Manpower became the market leader for permanent placement in India, one of the fastest growing economies in the world, through a joint partnership with ABC Consultants. This enhances our ability to serve clients moving into this emerging market, and is another example of how Manpower is positioned as a leader in the labor markets of today and tomorrow.
The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is another example of how Manpower has its finger on the pulse of the world’s labor markets. The survey, which has provided a reliable forecast of hiring trends each quarter for more than 40 years, is now available in 27 countries and territories around the world. The survey is also the cornerstone of Manpower’s library of research and analysis that help employers, economists and world leaders understand what’s now and what’s next in the world of work. More than 6,300 business leaders, economists, financial analysts, employees and members of the media subscribe to the Research Center on manpower.com to receive the survey report each quarter.
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