SOFOFA Meeting: Where Should the Private Sector Look to Build Trust?

SOFOFA Meeting: Where Should the Private Sector Look to Build Trust?

“The future of work brings us together.”

That was the title of the 9th Conference on Sustainable Business Development, organized by SOFOFA, where our partner and general manager, Cali Trivelli, participated in the panel discussion alongside Roberto Izikson, general manager of CADEM.

The session was moderated by Rodrigo Yáñez, SOFOFA’s secretary general, who emphasized that the organization has two key resources for addressing these issues: our study, conducted in partnership with Futuro del Trabajo—SOFOFA Human Capital, Organizational Trust Pulse—which focuses on how workers perceive trust within their companies, and the Organizational Trust Barometer provided by CADEM.

Both shared their perspectives on how trust is built and redefined within companies in contexts of rapid change, where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an essential role.

Cali Trivelli elaborated on a key point: trust is not an abstract concept, but rather a concrete construct that is managed on a day-to-day basis within organizations.

“Today, companies face a significant paradox: while the business environment demands greater agility, innovation, and technological adoption, people need greater certainty, consistency, and meaning” (Cali Trivelli)

“Today, companies face a significant paradox: while the business environment demands greater agility, innovation, and technological adoption, people need greater certainty, consistency, and meaning” (Cali Trivelli)

Based on the findings of the Organizational Trust Pulse study, our General Manager emphasized that one of the main challenges is closing the gap between what companies say and what their employees actually experience.

“Trust erodes when there is inconsistency. It is not enough to have a clear purpose if it does not translate into consistent decisions, leadership, and cultures” (Cali Trivelli)

“Trust erodes when there is inconsistency. It is not enough to have a clear purpose if it does not translate into consistent decisions, leadership, and cultures” (Cali Trivelli)

In this context, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence was addressed not only as a productivity tool but also as a factor that strains labor relations. Cali Trivelli argued that its adoption must be accompanied by clear ethical frameworks, transparency in its use, and open communication with teams. Technology alone does not build trust; it is human decisions about how it is implemented that do so.

For his part, Roberto Izikson wonders why the business confidence index fell from 47 points in 2024 to 43 in 2025, breaking a trend of recovery that had been underway since the social unrest. “Transparency and how workers are treated are key issues,” he says. In addition, the level of satisfaction with wages has fallen by 20 points since 2019. “Throughout the past year, we’ve been talking about how Chile is facing a labor crisis, and we haven’t been able to ensure that wages absorb the impact of the rising cost of living,” he says.

Cali Trivelli called on companies to view trust as a strategic asset directly linked to business sustainability. In an environment where talent is increasingly critical and demanding, organizations that succeed in building cultures of trust will have a significant competitive advantage.

During the event, several interactive sessions were held in which the audience—comprising dozens of business leaders—gathered to reflect on one of the greatest challenges of our time: how companies, starting at the senior management level, are preparing for a future of work that is increasingly dynamic, technological, and demanding.

Almabrands’ participation in this event reaffirms its commitment to providing evidence, insights, and practical tools so that organizations can address the challenges of the future of work with a people-centered approach.