One thing is certain: we can’t predict the future of work. As the world of work evolves daily, so do the dynamics within it. However, by analysing past trends and technological advancements driving changes in the workplace, we can help you understand how work is transforming, envision what the future looks like, and prepare you for what lies ahead.
How is the world of work transforming?
In the past few decades, we have seen remarkable changes in the workplace. Remote and flexible work environments have replaced usual nine-to-five office jobs, while the emergence of gig economy has encouraged people to leave full-time jobs and shift to contract and project-based work. Moreover, with the advancements in technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), and workflow automation, jobs that require human intervention are gradually decreasing, whereas those requiring digital skills are in high demand.
This trend is likely to persist in future also as McKinsey’s report on the ‘Future of Work’ highlights:
- High-skill jobs, particularly in the healthcare sector and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), will see a substantial growth, while low or middle-skill jobs, such as in food service, production work, or office roles, will decline.
- Certain job roles may also face threats. For example, the adoption of robotics to automate mundane paperwork cloud lessen the demand for some office roles, and as brick-and-mortar and grocery stores increasingly implement self-checkout system, there may be less demand for clerks.
What is the future of work?
So, what do you mean by the future of work? To understand this concept holistically, it’s crucial to comprehend three sub-concept of this topic: the nature of work, the future workforce, and the future workplace.
- The nature of work: This involves the tasks and responsibilities that employees are expected to perform to achieve organisational objectives. Over the past few years, we have witnessed a tremendous shift in the nature of work. With the rise of AI and automation, machines have taken over the manual and repetitive tasks, while human are more focused on the creative, analytical, and social aspects of work
- The future workforce: The future workforce represents a diverse, global, digital-savvy, and multi-generational group. As baby boomers retire and millennials become the largest segment in the workforce, their expectations for work-life balance, flexible work arrangements, and purpose-driven careers will reshape the future workplace.
- The future workplace: This is all about developing an environment that caters to the above changing dynamics. With remote working and distributed teams gaining popularity, traditional workplaces are evolving into more flexible and collaborative environments. This creates a need for advanced tools powered by AI and cloud computing to support virtual communication, project management, upskilling, and reskilling.
How to prepare your organisation for the future of work?
Now that you know about the future of work and the forces shaping this concept, it’s time to prepare your business for it. Here are some key tips to adapt to the changing world of work:
Tip 1: Incorporate integrated and connected technologies
A single technology cannot run the entire show. For example, AI alone cannot be the sole solution to address the problems related to lack of communication or inefficient collaboration. Similarly, cloud-based tools cannot resolve the challenges related to repetitive and redundant work.
Integrated and connected technical infrastructure is the future of workflow. It encompasses a suite of software solutions powered by artificial intelligence, cloud technology, and data to empower the seamless functioning of your business operations. By breaking down silos between technologies, this interconnectedness enables data sharing communication across departments, leading you to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and workplace productivity gains.
Tip2: Embrace human and software intelligence
We are in an exciting new world of work, where people and technology harmoniously connect to transform the way, we work. As technology continues to evolve, our understanding of collaboration with machines also deepens. That’s why to navigate the future of work, embrace an integrated approach driven by both people and technology, where you place the needs of your employees, customers, and their people first.
Additionally, acknowledge that although the rise of digital tools empowered by AI, machine learning (ML), and automation aims to automate and streamline complex tasks and free individuals’ time to focus on more high-value tasks, these tools cannot run alone unless coupled with a strong focus on people – their skills, needs, and goals.
Tip 3: Encourage Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) more than ever
According to a McKinsey study, companies that prioritises Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) perform better. In a world where organisations strive for growth and innovation, fostering a culture rich in diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just normal imperative; it’s a key to ensuring long-term sustainability.
A diverse and inclusive work culture within an organisation creates a pool of diverse talent where employees from all backgrounds can perform and thrive. It cultivates creativity, creates a sense of belonging among employees, and make them feel more connected and productive towards the organisation.
To develop an environment of DE&I within your organisation, it’s crucial to understand each term. Diversity-related dimensions include gender, race, age, sexual orientation, disability status, and cultural background, while equity encompasses ensuring that everyone is given equal opportunities in terms of knowledge, skills, attributes, and experiences required to succeed. Lastly, inclusivity is about creating a sense of belonging among employees and making them feel values and empowered to contribute.
Tip 4: Reskilling and upskilling are the new mantras
The world of work is increasingly changing with the advancements in technology. Therefore, to stay productive and competitive in this ever-evolving world, it’s important for companies to invest in their workforce through upskilling and reskilling programs. Upskilling focused on enhancing an employee’s existing abilities, while reskilling involves learning new skills to shift to new roles. Upskilled or reskilled employees can adapt to new roles that emerge as a result of technological developments. They can also bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the table and are well-equipped to solve complex challenges, leading to better productivity and innovation.
What is the role of HR in reshaping the future of work?
According the Executive Networks’ Global CHRO of the Future report, 93% of Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs) agree that the HR team is as important as the finance team in driving better business outcomes. When it comes to reshaping the future of work, HR professionals play a crucial role by:
- Addressing the number one challenge of businesses, which is talent attraction and retention.
- Identifying and addressing skill gaps to ensure that the workforce is equipped with necessary skills for future roles.
- Establishing and implementing employee development programs, upskilling, and reskilling initiatives, and learning opportunities.
- Implementing integrated and connected technologies to streamline workflows, foster collaboration across different departments and teams, and enhance workforce engagement.
- Fostering an inclusive workplace environment where diversity is celebrated and employees feel empowered, values, and motivated.
Reshape the future of work with OneAdvanced
So, what does the future of work look like? Whether you’re a business owner, and HR professional, or any type of people leaders, the future of work encompasses both opportunities and challenges. By understanding the changing dynamics and embracing digital workflows, you can navigate through this ever-evolving world of work successfully.
At OneAdvanced, we are your reliable partner to support you in this journey. Our portfolio of solutions, powered by a resilient cloud platform providing common services for data and analytics, security, and AI, integrates with your end-to-end workflows to transform the world of work and create a unified experience for you. We empower you to always stay a step ahead in this ever-evolving work landscape.
Download the eBook ‘Power Your Productivity’ today to learn in detail how OneAdvanced powers the world of work through digital technologies in you sector.