Get 2021's Priorities & Predictions Report

2021 Priorities Predictions Hero

Perhaps the most mentioned phrase of 2020 has been "when we return to normal." 

Yes, after a year of utter lunacy, a return to normalcy may certainly be what we all need at this moment. However, a return to normal cannot mean that…

  • The heightened attention to and collective resolve to make progress on economic, social, and racial inequities fade.
  • People return to multi-hour work commutes every day.
  • Time with friends and family are relegated only to early mornings, late nights, and weekends.
  • The humanization of work is relegated to the trash bin.

The onus on us all is to not allow ourselves – in our desperate attempts to reclaim some semblance of normalcy – to under-estimate the cultural forces that fight the power of positive change. Despite the urge and ease to go back to our comfort zones, we must be crystal clear on the good that we want and/or need to keep. 

And we must find the resolve to advance and sustain the renovation that continues to build on the numerous silver linings that surfaced in such a turbulent year.

Download i4cp's 2021 Priorities & Predictions report

2021 Priorities and Predictions reportThe COVID-19 pandemic has forever altered work as we know it. While where works gets done has received the most attention in 2020, we’ve also seen dramatic changes in the type of work that gets done and when, how, and who gets the work done. The changes to the work environment are as extraordinary as we’ve ever seen.

This year's Priorities & Predictions look at the year ahead through the distinct perspective of senior leaders who serve on i4cp's six executive Boards, which includes heads of HR, talent, learning, talent acquisition, DEI, and people analytics.

Read their priorities and priorities for the year to help you better navigate the next normal we all face.


Kevin Martin

Kevin Martin is the chief research officer at the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp); the leading research firm focused on discovering the people practices that drive high-performance.

In addition to guiding i4cp’s research agenda and deliverables, Kevin also advises corporate and human resources leadership teams on best- and next-practices in a broad range of topics that range from talent risk management and corporate culture, to human capital strategy and organizational agility. He also serves as executive sponsor of i4cp's distinguished Chief HR Officer Board.

Prior to i4cp, Kevin worked for several years at research firm Aberdeen Group where he built one of the industry’s leading human capital management (HCM) research practices and then held a variety of roles of increasing responsibility which included SVP of Research Operations with general management oversight of the company's 17 research practices, and SVP of International Operations where he led the firm’s expansion efforts in to Europe.

A highly sought-after international keynote speaker on all aspects of human resources and talent management, Kevin has been recognized as a “Top 100 HR Influencer” by HR Examiner. His and his team’s research have been cited in leading business media, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Inc. Magazine, Bloomberg, the Financial Times, CFO Magazine, CIO Applications, and on CNBC.

He is also an occasional contributor for the Financial Times.

Kevin currently serves on the advisory councils for the University of Dayton's school of business administration and school of engineering. He also serves on the board of advisors for Bullseye Engagement. From 2005 to 2014, Kevin served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Massachusetts, which included a two-year term as board chairman (2009-2011). In 2006, Kevin was awarded the Commonwealth of Massachusetts's "Big Brother of the Year".

Kevin earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of Dayton. He resides in the Massachusetts with his wife (Laura) and their three sons.