In observance of Labor Day in the United States, Saul Kaplan, founder and chief catalyst of the Business Innovation Factory, posted a list of ways work is changing, driven in large part by the transition from an industrial to an information economy.
Saul cited 20 changes — here are some selected highlights, with my comments added:
- “Work becomes more about meaning and impact than repeatable tasks”: Repeatable tasks are being increasingly automated, leaving the higher-level cognitive tasks to human workers.
- “9 to 5 is so yesterday”: We’re connected 24×7, and businesses need to function 24×7. It doesn’t mean workers need to be working 24 hours, but it directs their energies to times that their productivity is needed the most.
- “Global sourcing goes on steroids enabling third-world opportunity and growth”: Many observers and pundits express fear and loathing about offshoring, but the opportunities flow both ways. Robust third-world economies mean more markets.
- “Free Agent Nation becomes a reality”: Many workers and professionals will engage organizations on a project-by-project basis, applying their talents as needed, for highly negotiable rates.
- “Changing nature of work transforms our daily commute and transportation systems”: More virtual and project-driven work means less daily 9-to-5 commuting, relieving congestion on highways.
- “Education is no longer K-16 but a life long commitment”: In a hyper-competitive global economy, skills gained in a four-year college by age 22 quickly become outdated. Everyone will likely change careers several times throughout their lives; the educational system needs to adapt.
- “Workforce and economic development are transformed and become indistinguishable”: Communities are understanding that having skilled workforces is an asset for growth.
- “Industrial era organizations give way to purposeful networks”: Goodbye, centralized hierarchical organizations; hello, horizontal confederations of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs.
