Microsoft’s warning: Embrace hybrid work or lose half your workforce
Technology has changed the way we work, and it’s not about to slow down. If you’re not prepared, your organization may lose half its workforce within the next decade — and that’s only accounting for job losses from the shift to automation. Organizations must create a hybrid workforce that includes digital natives and recruits from Generation Z, or they may find themselves in financial trouble soon. Here’s how to embrace the digital transformation your company needs to remain competitive in today’s marketplace.
Why this is going to happen
In the latest installment of its ongoing war on traditional offices, Microsoft has released research predicting that in just seven years, fully 50% of US workers will be employed in jobs that don’t exist yet. Although this is definitely a more positive forecast than the doom-and-gloom stories we’re used to hearing about how automation is destroying jobs, it is still a major wake-up call for businesses clinging to a model of old working practices and habits. What does this mean for organizations that refuse to take the steps necessary to become innovative and agile?
Well, if you don’t believe me, ask Kodak. And Nortel Networks. And Blockbuster Video Stores. All three were once among the largest companies in their respective industries; all three now no longer exist because they refused to accept what was happening around them, clinging instead to outdated ways of doing things even as those ways became obsolete.
What employees can do about it
Start thinking of yourself as an entrepreneur and not just an employee. Often, the two are interchangeable but it is important to know when you can leverage the skills you have in one to aid in success in the other. Whether that means buying a side hustle or investing more time into business development, consider what is going to keep you satisfied long-term and figure out how to make that happen before it’s too late. It might sound like a bold statement, but we’re not talking about sacrificing weekends or working until 2 am on weekdays.
Instead, think about how you could use your free time productively. For example, rather than sleeping all day on Saturday after working all week at the office, take a look at ways to supplement income from jobs like dog walking so that you’ll have something to do during the day without giving up on sleep.
The good news is you can make yourself more valuable in the future by embracing change
The gist of Microsoft’s warning is that change is coming and it doesn’t want to be left behind. That means embracing new technology, improved products, and more efficient work processes in order to continue being an appealing employer. Here are some things you can do now to get ahead of the changes that might be coming your way:
– Attend a trade show like CES or SXSW to see new trends firsthand. – Keep up with news from sources like TechCrunch, The Verge, Wired, Mashable and Engadget to stay current on what’s happening in tech today. – Learn about coding by taking online courses through sites like Coursera or Codecademy.
If you’re not prepared, your organization may lose half its workforce within the next decade — and that’s only accounting for job losses from the shift to automation. Organizations must create a hybrid workforce that includes digital natives and recruits from Generation Z, or they may find themselves in financial trouble soon. Here’s how to embrace the digital transformation your company needs to remain competitive in today’s marketplace.
