What Does the Future of Work Look Like?
Prior to 2020 the world of work was already undergoing a gradual transformation towards digitalisation and more flexible work hours. The conditions created by the pandemic catalysed this process and caused significant shifts, such as remote working, virtual meetings, and the rapid adoption of new technology to create connections between employers and their employees.
Back to the Future of Work
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, COVD-19 forced an 83% increase in remote working; companies were forced to accelerate digitalization by 84%. And there was a 50% jump in automation. From these statistics alone, it is not surprising that the working landscape has changed dramatically, and in a relatively short space of time. The rate at which processes are being digitalized and automated means that many roles look set to become obsolete.
At the same time however while some job roles become redundant, new positions requiring a new skill set are opening up. According to McKinsey, “The need for manual and physical skills, as well as basic cognitive ones, will decline, but demand for technological, social, emotional, and higher cognitive skills will grow.”
There are three key attributes that employers of the future are going to seek out:
- Employees who add value over and above AI and automation
- Employees who can operate competently in a digital world
- Employees who are able to adapt and evolve to new ways of thinking and doing things.
Soft Skills Pave the Way Forward for the Future of Work
One prediction is that 50% of all employees will need reskilling before the end of 2025. So, it’s time for organisations and their employees to look to the future and develop the skills needed for the unknown new world of work. As automation and AI become more commonplace, the focus will be on skills that can’t be replicated by machines.
These include:
- Imagination
- Problem-solving
- Negotiating and reasoning
- Critical thinking
- Time management
- Resilience
- Leadership and social influence
- Agility and flexibility
- Desire to learn and upskill
- Empathy
- Emotional Intelligence
The Search for Meaning
As a new generation enters the workforce and looks set to dominate it for years to come, organisations are seeing radical changes in the priorities of their employees. Millennials and Gen Zs are far less concerned with forging traditional career paths. Instead, they place a heavy emphasis on work with a purpose: In fact, “Millennials and Gen Zs have made their stance very clear – they are willing to work for less money in exchange for more meaning and impact.” As such, businesses are looking towards becoming more sustainable and socially responsible in order to attract the best future talent.
Key Takeaways
It’s time for both employers and their employees to brace themselves for a brave new world and the future of work, and embrace technology while developing key skills in their employees. Automation and digitalisation will go a long way to improving employee productivity and increasing operational efficiency. But more importantly, by embracing technology, businesses will provide a workplace where their employees are no longer bogged down by the mundane, but rather have the space to be creative, to problem solve and to innovate.
The Wyzetalk solution can help organisations in their business processes digitisation, freeing up time and headspace for employees to get the job done more effectively and efficiently. To find out how Wyzetalk can help your business move into the future of work, talk to an expert today.