At the start of this new decade there is no doubt that there is a ton of stuff going on in the world around us that should have us taking stock of how and what it is we do what we do.
If you are employed in an organization my guess is that you are under a ton of pressure to innovate as your industry is being challenged by rising costs, resource scarcity and evolving consumer demands that threaten to disrupt your business.
As for you entrepreneurs, you are likely excited by the opportunities that abound in a world that embraces contract work and the gig-economy. But the hustle can take its toll and your success depends on your foresight and ability to align your skills and offerings with the challenges of a world that is evolving at a rapid pace.
With the increasing trend in contract employment, the fundamental challenge is how to get groups of people to work together in a coordinated and collaborative way, when they are not motivated by an organizational hierarchy and the rules and structure that implies.
The knowledge workers who will be in demand in the modern world of work are those who will have an unwavering commitment to learning and growth. They will actively take responsibility for their own learning and upskilling. They will build a practice of learning into their life and will resist the status quo.
Success for the modern working will require an individual commitment to embracing diverse ways of working with a multitude of talented, distributed individuals.
As for the modern organization? Culture has long been the have long been the hallmark of strategic success. It will become more important than ever for companies to develop and articulate a compelling vision that can be understood and embraced by all those working on behalf of an organization – employee or not. Second to that, modern organizations must invest in systems & infrastructure like Microsoft Office 365 that allow for the seamless collaboration and communication between employees, contractors and leadership in order meet the demands of the modern world of work.