Business leaders are continually striving to anticipate forthcoming trends in the workplace. However, mere speculation about the future is insufficient. Concrete preparations are required to adequately prepare for what lies ahead.
Jabra conducted an analysis of over 100 trends within society and administered a survey of 76 academic and industry experts to identify the most significant and reliable predictions for the future of work. Armed with this data and knowledgeable insights, we have developed six potential scenarios of the future of work, impacting four key areas of businesses: employees, workplaces, and technology over the next five years.
The first potential future of work involves the prioritisation of employee wellbeing. Employers are increasingly cognizant of their responsibility to care for their employees and are making efforts to support their health and happiness. Businesses will utilise technology to achieve this, integrating AI and automated solutions into the workplace to monitor and enhance employee wellbeing. Tools such as AI therapy chatbots, health tracking platforms, and wearables will enable businesses to identify and support potentially overworked or stressed employees, ultimately leading to increased employee satisfaction and a more positive working environment.
The second potential future of work involves the concept of agile superteams. Business models will shift from large core teams to smaller teams supported by a network of partners with a mix of expertise. Referred to as a ‘Hollywood’ working model, the top individuals will be chosen for each project. Seamless cross-platform connectivity, communication, and cloud-based storage and access will be essential to accommodate these agile superteams.
The third potential future of work focuses on sustainability as a core aspect of business. Amid escalating climate change concerns, businesses are assuming greater responsibility. Business travel will continue to decrease thanks to communication platforms and associated technology. Local, sustainable manufacturing will gain significance, and energy conservation will become a priority. AI and automation will use data to ensure buildings are energy efficient by monitoring temperature, automating power supplies, and optimising company processes.
The fourth potential future of work envisions an office that is dynamic and untethered from fixed locations. Work will take place everywhere, with universal cloud technology and communication platforms enabling employees to work from wherever suits them. Advanced hardware, with noise cancellation and open-plan designs, will foster collaboration and diverse workspaces, reducing background distractions and encouraging social interactions.
The fifth potential future of work highlights the need to support the whole employee in adapting to changes in the workplace. The combination of data and AI will lead to rapid growth in personalised coaching, enhancing skills such as speech, language, and presentation abilities. This will ultimately increase employee productivity and improve time management, providing personalised goals to help employees feel confident and motivated at work.
The sixth potential future of work suggests that the distinction between work and leisure will blur as employees adopt a hybrid, flexible work style. Rigid tech policies will give way to personalisation, allowing employees to choose their working styles, environments, devices, and apps.
In Conclusion, numerous studies have highlighted the lack of responsiveness from multinational corporations to their employees, resulting in a loss of trust. The comprehensive study conducted by Jabra has affirmed that businesses must adapt to the evolving needs and expectations of their workforce, supporting employee demands for a focus on wellbeing, sustainability, and flexible working habits. Embracing and implementing changes in line with these future trends will be essential for driving success and innovation across all industries in the years to come.
+ There are no comments
Add yours