Digital Work/Life Restoration for Displaced Talent: Extending Bridge To Next Beyond Borders
In a world marked by increasing volatility, conflict, and displacement, the need for holistic support programs for skilled professionals has never been greater. Publicis Sapient’s Bridge To Next program, originally launched to support tech and consulting talent affected by the war in Ukraine, stands as a beacon of what’s possible when digital business transformation is paired with a people-first approach. Now, as crises continue to disrupt lives in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, the question arises: how can this proven framework be adapted to restore hope, stability, and opportunity for displaced professionals worldwide?
The Bridge To Next Model: A Blueprint for Holistic Support
Bridge To Next was designed to address the full spectrum of needs for displaced talent—offering not just jobs, but a comprehensive suite of services that enable individuals and their families to rebuild their lives. The program’s core offerings include:
- Professional Support: Full- and part-time roles in Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data & AI (SPEED) capabilities, with options for remote work, visa assistance, and relocation services.
- Personal and Emotional Support: Access to mental health counseling, stress and PTSD therapy, childcare services, and language instruction in multiple languages.
- Community and Belonging: Communal workspaces, community outreach, and a network of support for both full-time and gig workers.
This holistic approach has proven transformative, enabling individuals to not only regain employment but also restore a sense of normalcy and dignity for themselves and their families.
Unique Needs Across Global Conflict Zones
While the foundational needs of displaced professionals—safety, stability, and opportunity—are universal, each region presents unique challenges and cultural contexts:
- Middle East: Displacement often occurs across borders with significant language and cultural barriers. Many professionals face interrupted careers and family separations, requiring tailored support for remote work, Arabic language instruction, and trauma counseling.
- Africa: Conflicts and instability can disrupt access to digital infrastructure and education. Programs must address connectivity, upskilling, and community-based childcare, while also supporting multilingual integration.
- Latin America: Economic and political crises have led to large-scale migration, often within the region. Here, the focus may be on supporting nearshore delivery, Spanish and Portuguese language services, and leveraging local talent pools for global digital transformation projects.
Adapting SPEED Capabilities and Support Services
Publicis Sapient’s SPEED framework—Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data & AI—provides a flexible foundation for adapting work/life restoration programs to new contexts. By leveraging these capabilities, the company can:
- Enable Remote and Distributed Work: Drawing on experience with globally distributed delivery models, Publicis Sapient can offer displaced talent the ability to work from wherever they are, supported by robust digital infrastructure and agile methodologies.
- Tailor Language and Cultural Integration: Through partnerships with language platforms and local organizations, language instruction can be expanded to include Arabic, French, Swahili, Spanish, and Portuguese, ensuring professionals can integrate into new markets or remote teams.
- Expand Mental Health and Family Support: Collaborations with behavioral health partners can deliver regionally relevant counseling and trauma support, while scalable childcare solutions help families adapt to new environments.
- Upskill and Reskill Talent: Leveraging digital learning platforms and partnerships, displaced professionals can access training in high-demand digital skills, ensuring their continued relevance in a rapidly evolving job market.
Building Partnerships for Greater Impact
The success of Bridge To Next has been amplified by strategic partnerships—with behavioral health companies, language platforms, and community organizations. Extending this model globally means forging new alliances:
- Local NGOs and Community Groups: To ensure cultural relevance and on-the-ground support.
- Technology and Cloud Providers: To deliver secure, scalable digital workspaces and learning environments.
- Government and Multilateral Agencies: For visa, relocation, and legal support, as well as to align with humanitarian and economic development goals.
A Global Commitment to People-First Digital Transformation
Publicis Sapient’s expansion into regions like Latin America, through acquisitions and new delivery centers, demonstrates a commitment to reaching talent wherever it resides. By adapting the Bridge To Next framework, the company can help displaced professionals in conflict zones not just survive, but thrive—restoring careers, supporting families, and contributing to the digital economy.
As the world faces new and ongoing crises, the need for holistic, scalable, and compassionate solutions is clear. By building on the success of Bridge To Next and leveraging its SPEED capabilities, Publicis Sapient is uniquely positioned to lead the way in global digital work/life restoration—empowering displaced talent to pursue their next chapter with resilience, dignity, and hope.