Its no secret that the way companies will do business is going to completely change in the coming years. Not only have things such as AI and automation completely revolutionized how business is conducted, but with globalization also a key factor, many business owners are constantly shifting how they approach their business model. Here are some of the key future of work factors organizations are keeping front of mind:
Robots will take your job
Employment is becoming less effective as technology advances, says Daniel A. Miller, a speaker on future of work. He has spent years studying how people work and what impacts productivity.
More and more frequently, we see robots being used to complete tasks that were once considered impossible for computers.
If you want another sign of the shift toward automation, look at the number of jobs that demand human interaction have decreased over time. Jobs such as receptionist, retail sales person, or bank teller are examples of low-pay, low-benefit jobs that can be easily replaced by machines.
And it's not just manufacturing workers who are struggling to keep their jobs while robotic performance increases. Office jobs are also at risk of having components that require human input entirely removed.
Collaboration tools
The future of work will be defined by our ability to collaborate, communicate, and engage with others easily and effectively. Businesses that can’t adapt or rely on external resources are at a distinct disadvantage and may not survive in this environment.
As more and more businesses adopt digital platforms, collaboration becomes increasingly important. This is particularly true for larger companies who depend on internal teams to deliver data and content.
Tools such as Skype and Slack have become ubiquitous inside organizations. Even IFB allows you to talk online with colleagues outside of your own team.
The importance of being able to work across tools cannot be overstated – if one platform fails, there are dozens of other options just around the corner.
And while we’re talking about choice, why not consider making these available to everyone? Tools like Google Suite, Office 365, and Dropbox have all the functionality you need to get through the day plus social features that help people feel part of the organization.
Design thinking is also becoming more prevalent among brands. These days, even big corporations are using design approaches to solve business problems.
They use techniques such as empathy to understand the target audience and create solutions that resonate with them. Design thinking focuses on creating products and services that users love so they stay and buy longer.
Sensory enrichment
More than ever, people want opportunities to develop their passions and interests outside of work. If you wish to pursue your passion more professionally, here are some tips for how you can do it without damaging your career.
You can find greater satisfaction from doing something because you feel that you “need” to be doing it. For example, if you love painting, then you should spend time painting even if you aren’t necessarily looking toward a career change.
The same goes for signing up for volunteer or community service positions. If you care about someone else or want to give back yourself, just make sure that you don’t put in any extra effort when you’re already going above and beyond at your job.
"If you need to shut off your creativity while you work, that’s fine" says Sean Adams at Motivation Ping. "But you should still create a balance between working hard and pushing your limits. Adding a little sensory stimulation to what you do will help you get out of your comfort zone and enjoy your day much more quickly."
For instance, instead of reading a book now and then, try watching a movie or listening to music. Try playing an audio game or taking a shopping trip or hiking through a park. Do anything but nothing official.
Try buying a new shirt or taking your dog to the vet. Give yourself permission to chill and take a break by letting others demand accountability from you.
The importance of creativity
In today’s job market, employers are looking for people who can think creatively to solve problems. This includes creative problem-solvers, disruptors, and innovators.
However, thinking creatively is only part of the equation. It is also important to be able to communicate your idea thoughtfully and with clarity.
You will need to do this whether you are working as an inventor, engineer, researcher, or administrator.
In each case, you will have to create written documents that explain how you accomplished what you did. And in each case, you will have to translate your ideas into worksable solutions or plans.
It’s easy to get stuck in an R&D (research and development) mode where you fixate on solving problem X when you could be developing solution Y.
Instead, "try to organize your thoughts and search for different ways to approach the problem" suggests John Rogan of Motivational Speaker. You might actually enjoy trying several different approaches while you're at it.
That way you'll have fun while you're doing it and find out if there are any interesting possibilities.
Also, keep in mind that no one else has the same problem that you have. What works for someone else may not work for you. You have to believe in yourself and execute your own plan to succeed.
Robots will take your job
Employment is becoming less effective as technology advances, says Daniel A. Miller, a speaker on future of work. He has spent years studying how people work and what impacts productivity.
More and more frequently, we see robots being used to complete tasks that were once considered impossible for computers.
If you want another sign of the shift toward automation, look at the number of jobs that demand human interaction have decreased over time. Jobs such as receptionist, retail sales person, or bank teller are examples of low-pay, low-benefit jobs that can be easily replaced by machines.
And it's not just manufacturing workers who are struggling to keep their jobs while robotic performance increases. Office jobs are also at risk of having components that require human input entirely removed.
Collaboration tools
The future of work will be defined by our ability to collaborate, communicate, and engage with others easily and effectively. Businesses that can’t adapt or rely on external resources are at a distinct disadvantage and may not survive in this environment.
As more and more businesses adopt digital platforms, collaboration becomes increasingly important. This is particularly true for larger companies who depend on internal teams to deliver data and content.
Tools such as Skype and Slack have become ubiquitous inside organizations. Even IFB allows you to talk online with colleagues outside of your own team.
The importance of being able to work across tools cannot be overstated – if one platform fails, there are dozens of other options just around the corner.
And while we’re talking about choice, why not consider making these available to everyone? Tools like Google Suite, Office 365, and Dropbox have all the functionality you need to get through the day plus social features that help people feel part of the organization.
Design thinking is also becoming more prevalent among brands. These days, even big corporations are using design approaches to solve business problems.
They use techniques such as empathy to understand the target audience and create solutions that resonate with them. Design thinking focuses on creating products and services that users love so they stay and buy longer.
Sensory enrichment
More than ever, people want opportunities to develop their passions and interests outside of work. If you wish to pursue your passion more professionally, here are some tips for how you can do it without damaging your career.
You can find greater satisfaction from doing something because you feel that you “need” to be doing it. For example, if you love painting, then you should spend time painting even if you aren’t necessarily looking toward a career change.
The same goes for signing up for volunteer or community service positions. If you care about someone else or want to give back yourself, just make sure that you don’t put in any extra effort when you’re already going above and beyond at your job.
"If you need to shut off your creativity while you work, that’s fine" says Sean Adams at Motivation Ping. "But you should still create a balance between working hard and pushing your limits. Adding a little sensory stimulation to what you do will help you get out of your comfort zone and enjoy your day much more quickly."
For instance, instead of reading a book now and then, try watching a movie or listening to music. Try playing an audio game or taking a shopping trip or hiking through a park. Do anything but nothing official.
Try buying a new shirt or taking your dog to the vet. Give yourself permission to chill and take a break by letting others demand accountability from you.
The importance of creativity
In today’s job market, employers are looking for people who can think creatively to solve problems. This includes creative problem-solvers, disruptors, and innovators.
However, thinking creatively is only part of the equation. It is also important to be able to communicate your idea thoughtfully and with clarity.
You will need to do this whether you are working as an inventor, engineer, researcher, or administrator.
In each case, you will have to create written documents that explain how you accomplished what you did. And in each case, you will have to translate your ideas into worksable solutions or plans.
It’s easy to get stuck in an R&D (research and development) mode where you fixate on solving problem X when you could be developing solution Y.
Instead, "try to organize your thoughts and search for different ways to approach the problem" suggests John Rogan of Motivational Speaker. You might actually enjoy trying several different approaches while you're at it.
That way you'll have fun while you're doing it and find out if there are any interesting possibilities.
Also, keep in mind that no one else has the same problem that you have. What works for someone else may not work for you. You have to believe in yourself and execute your own plan to succeed.