Is it just me or did the COVID 19 pandemic breed a whole new world of buzzwords and trends that otherwise didn’t exist? First everything was “unprecedented” then when we got used to a new post COVID world we started talking about what “the new normal” would look like. This discussion included things like “remote work”, “social distancing” and one in particular (that certainly piqued my interest) was the “future of work”.
So the question remains is the future of work just a post COVID hype word or is this something legitimate that all companies should be talking about?
I’d say it’s a bit of both. The future of work is definitely something that companies should be talking about but I think the term has been overused and blown out of proportion since the pandemic started.
The thing is, the future of work was always going to be a topic of discussion, COVID or no COVID. With technology evolving at the rate that it is, it was only a matter of time before we started having conversations about AI taking over jobs, remote work becoming the norm and flexible working hours becoming more prevalent.
COVID just expedited these conversations and forced companies to reassess their policies and practices much sooner than they would have liked.
What is the Future of Work?
When we talk about the future of work, we’re really talking about the way work will be done in the future. This includes everything from the technologies that will be used to how employees will interact with each other
Some experts believe that the future of work will see more remote working arrangements as companies look for ways to cut costs and become more agile. Others believe that the future of work will be more about collaborative technologies that allow employees to work together even when they’re not in the same location
And then there are those who believe that the future of work will see a rise in AI and automation as companies look for ways to increase efficiency and productivity
The truth is, only time will tell…
Considering technological, generational and social shifts in context to work, it’s evident the future of work is a topic that should be on every company’s radar
What’s important to remember is that the future of work is not some far-off concept – it’s happening right now. And, as such, companies need to start preparing for the changes that are coming their way
So, how can companies prepare for the future of work?
There are a few things companies can do to get ready for the future of work
1. Review Their Company Culture
The first step is to take a good hard look at your company culture. Is it supportive of remote work? Is it conducive to innovation? Is it open to change? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then you need to make some changes
2. Encourage Employee Development
The future of work is going to be increasingly competitive. To stay ahead of the curve, companies need to invest in their employees and encourage them to develop their skills. This can be done through things like training programs, e-learning courses and mentorship programs
3. Embrace Flexibility
The future of work is going to be more flexible, so companies need to start embracing that now. This means offering things like flexi-time, remote working arrangements and job sharing options
4. Invest in Technology
If you want to be prepared for the future of work, you need to invest in the right technology. This includes things like project management software, collaboration tools and employee tracking systems
5. Rethink Their Hiring Practices
Finally, companies need to rethink their hiring practices. In the future, it’s going to be less about finding employees who fit a certain mould and more about finding employees who are adaptable and have the right skill set.
The future of work is not something that companies can afford to ignore. With the right preparation, however, they can future-proof their businesses and stay ahead of the curve.
loopnetwork.blog 
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