The Future of Work | FrameworkFocus™
Practical advice for pharmacy leaders looking to future-proof their workforce
In this episode of FrameworkFocus™, host Todd Eury sits down with Dori Armstead, VP of People at SoftWriters, to explore The Future of Work and what it means for the pharmacy technology industry. Dori shares insights on building a talent-centric organization, SoftWriters’ journey in improving hiring and retention, and how HR strategies are evolving to meet today’s workforce demands. The conversation covers key topics like attracting and developing top talent, fostering a culture of belonging, and planning for the future through thoughtful job architecture.
Early in the conversation, Dori spoke on how the workforce today looks a lot different than it did just 5-10 years ago. She noted how the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a “new way of working and new way of thinking.” She said the last few years have laid the foundation for what the future of work.
”One thing we learned is that change is constant. We are moving at a rapid clip,” Dori noted. “We had to figure out new ways of working, how work gets done, and where work gets done.”
Dori shared what it looks like to center your organization around your most valuable asset — the people. Through individual development plans to customer-focused goals, she shared how SoftWriters strives to be ahead of the curve in all that we do.
“We can’t just hire for what we need right now. We need to think about what we will need two, three, fours years from now and beyond,” Dori added. “This has an impact on how we can deliver services to our customers… they need us to be on the forefront of development.”
In the world of long-term care pharmacy, obtaining and retaining quality employees has been a struggle for pharmacy operators. Dori shared some ways SoftWriters has helped increase collaboration, engagement, and ultimately, retention, such as well-defined processes, value propositions, and strategic decisions surrounding the workplace structure.
"We’re a team… and we have to make sure all of our employees are moving along together and that we’re prepared,” Dori shared. “We’re working to develop a strategic cohort where we are beginning to educate and bring our employees along on this journey.”
With a forward-looking perspective, Dori highlights the skillsets that will drive business success over the next five years and provides practical advice for pharmacy leaders looking to future-proof their workforce.
About Dori Armstead
Dori brings a strategic mindset and over 25 years of HR leadership experience from a rich variety of industries including pharmaceuticals, media sales, education, and technology. As the leader of people, she plays a crucial role in elevating and empowering SoftWriters employees to ensure they are effective and thriving.
Dori has experience leading all facets of human resources and she has a passion for talent management, leadership development and serves as a natural champion for workplace diversity, inclusion and belonging. With her diverse industry and human resources experiences, she is a thought leader and business partner to the SoftWriters executive team.
Dori holds a master’s degree in human resources from Clemson University. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, she also enjoys a variety of music and has a passion for both travel and sports. Her commitment to others extends beyond the workplace, as she actively volunteers for causes related to education, mentorship, and mental health within her community.
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FrameworkFocus is focused exclusively on Long-Term Care Pharmacy. We release a new episode on the second Wednesday of every month that addresses the hottest topics in LTC pharmacy through timely interviews with industry trailblazers, thought leaders, and LTC pharmacists. Follow and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen so you do not miss an upcoming episode.