Welcome To The Future
A changing world
The workplace of the future will be driven by the need to have the right mix of permanent core staff and freelance external contractors.
Managing staff from a slimmed down centre complemented by remote workers with high-value skills will be a key feature of successful organisations.
The growing effect of technology will change traditional business models and reinforce the ability to adapt as a key element of superior performance.
People without suitable skills or the ability to work flexibly will struggle and find themselves isolated and excluded from a competitive and cruel labour market.
A more flexible workforce will force employees to take greater interest in, and responsibility for, their training, personal development and career.
Employees will have to manage themselves and their progression as part of a growing transfer of responsibility from the organisation to the individual.
Skilled workers with the aptitude to solve problems will be in demand as others fall prey to endless cost cutting and rounds of redundancy.
Organisational change
The idea of an organisation as a structured hierarchy that rewards staff for loyalty and long service is under severe strain as finding and harnessing talent takes priority.
Service industries too are growing apace and driving demand as traditional roles come under pressure and replaced by computers and automation.
Manufacturing jobs in many areas are declining as cheaper labour from emerging countries coupled with advances in robotics provide greater output and efficiencies at lower cost.
The changes are leading to a polarisation of the labour market where mid-level jobs are lost leaving plentiful work for those with contrasting high and low-level skills.
Changes are also leading to more contract work, temporary-work, part-time work and self-employment, as a new and harsh labour market emerges to replace the old.
Self-employment is replacing employment in some cases where employers reassign traditional roles to those willing to operate as self-employed.
Under-employment is a growing feature too as companies cut back and are reluctant to increase core staff who enjoy perks and permanency.
The workplace, however, is still an ideal place to learn as employees gain experience from working with different colleagues and on different projects.
It also teaches people the importance of softer skills as it provides direct and immediate feedback, which improves and accelerates learning.
Workplace experience also provides the specific training needed for a particular industry and eliminates any skills gap new recruits may possess.
SO, the workplace is changing and technology is dictating people’s carers and what they must do to stay relevant and in demand.
