Technology is driving a different approach to how we live and work. What are some of the key factors going into this, and what can organizations do now to be prepared for the next decade of change?
Q2: in the "FutureofWork, a major trend will be emerging new business models that can take advantage of the 'blurred lines' between companies, partners, customers and employees -- #automation will need to accommodate these new business models
Spot on. In fact, the breakdown of barriers will be vital for organizations to become exponential. Over time, we may even see industries give way to ecosystems, as where you work becomes less important than what challenges you’re working on.
Q1/A2 Tech is also putting pressure on both individuals and companies to lean into technology - become tech literate, employ the technologies most likely to make a difference for the business. There’s a huge need for upskilling and reskilling.
This is a two way street - there is pressure on individuals and companies to lean into tech but also for technology to become more and more consumer-like and seamless to use
A1b) As humans though, one thing won’t change, and that is the power of relationships. Connecting and communicating will still be key in the #FutureofWork, no matter how much #automation takes over. #ThinkForward
Q2/A2 We will see (are already seeing) a growing demand for and emphasis on so-called soft skills - creativity, collaboration, empathy, service - as uniquely human job skills.
A3) #Leadership needs to study #future trends and prepare for the #FutureofWork now, not in 5 years. The rate of change is exponential. Those who aren’t preparing now will be left behind. #ThinkForward
Q3: Which types of job roles do you think are most susceptible to being disrupted over the next three years, and why? #FutureofWork#DigitalTransformation
Q2/A1 We will definitely see the “offloading” of routine tasks to #AI and #automation, allowing human workers to focus on the tasks that we do best, making for more meaningful work for many.
Yup. Narrow or “weak” #AI (most of the AI we have today) is becoming remarkably good at this kind of work. In the coming couple of years this type of intelligent assistance will be nearly ubiquitous and we won’t know how we lived without it.
Q2: When you think of the “future of work,” what are some trends you expect to see in the next five years, and how can leaders be prepared? #FutureofWork
Q2/A2 In the old days we shipped the talent to the work (to offices); increasingly we will ship the work to the talent, which means we need to equip a globally dispersed workforce to work how they want and where they want. We see #cloud-based #collaboration as the answer...
More sophisticated tools with built-in intelligence that allow us to be in more places at once. Avatars to attend meetings. Voice assistants to transcribe salient points in a meeting. Technology doing the "work" so we can focus on the analysis, response and action.
Q2 A2 We’ll also have 5 generations in the workplace. Over 50% of our workforce by 2020 will be Gen Z and Millennials – people who grew up with mobile, texting, video and emoji’s versus email. To create an engaged workplace we need to offer engaging tools.
Q3/A1 Any role that comprises mostly repetitive, routine tasks is at risk. I’m most interested in what this means for white collar work - bookkeepers, accountants, paralegals, entry level consultants, bankers... all at some risk of being displaced at least in part.
Q1/A1 Technology is giving people entirely new ways to work and opening the door to a range of innovative models - remote workers, remote teams, gig economy...
