Thriving in the future of work
Prior to the “I Inspire 2019” event, we had conducted a tweet chat inviting all people to share their thoughts and opinions about the future of work and how we as a member of an organization thrive for a better workforce and work environment. We had Lalit Jagtiani, Digital Thought Leader, SAP as a guest speaker for this twitter chat.
A win-win situation.
Our first discussion was about how we can bring up a win-win situation between the organization and the employee by changing the scope and the nature of the organization and thus creating a new perspective of the workforce. Everyone shared their thoughts and opinions regarding the topic discussion.
Shivani Dhuliya shared :”Definitely! Change is the only constant these days. Scope and nature are just the variables that must change in order to grow.”
Sarika Bhattacharyya shared :”It’s a good time to be more productive creative and futuristic. Flexibility of work, machines doing repetitive work helping workforce to do more value additive work.”
Michelle Frank shared :”Probably in the long run. Right now laying the groundwork will cause struggles for both. Primarily due to systems that have to be put in place for inclusion, addressing harassment, addressing social issues etc”
Lalit Jagtiani shared :”It depends on the individual’s mindset. The higher the ability to understand your strengths and the opportunity the better the chance to win”
Pitfalls of moving to a gig economy
The next discussion was about the drawbacks and disadvantages of moving to a gig economy and what are the problems that every employee face once they’re in the gig economy. Everyone shared their thoughts and opinions regarding the topic and most of it were about low job security and lack of engagement.
Devikaa Mathur shared :”Job security will be a great challenge in the gig economy movement.People will be hired and fired pity quick.”
Lalit Jagtiani shared :”The lack of application and a potential short term view of engagements and assignments”
Sarika Bhattachharya shared :”It’s a great concept but India is far from it. We are low in value chain of the services & expertise and with large pool of talent, it’s not make economic sense. So gig economy in India is more of a myth. Few disciplines only have been able to make a transition”
Michelle Frank shared :”Reliability would be the most evident pitfall. Our economy is still on the rise and hasn’t achieved stability. Experimenting with too many things may not be the right way to go right now.”
Skills for thriving the future of work
The next topic was about the necessary skills and methods which are required to thrive in the future of work and to build a better workforce and environment. Many participants brainstormed on this and we have some of the best insights here from the participants.
Shivani Dhuliya shared :”Emotional intelligence will become the prime requirement and also a differentiator. All other skills will change and get learnt with time.”
Bhairavi Buch Sonowal shared :”Innovation and technological adaptation are two major skills that will be needed for future work”
Devikaa Mathur shared :”Since the AI and automation are growing at fast pace I think precision and fast learning needs to be mandatory to stay in tech industry”
Michelle Frank shared :”Asking for what you deserve would be one and probably the most important one. With advances in technology, skills are so versatile. Today more than years of experience your portfolio in what all you have dabbled in becomes more important.”
Challenges of a gig economy
The next discussion was about the challenges of gig economy which are faced by the employee and the organization and how it affects the organization. Everyone shared their thoughts and opinions on this topic.
Michelle Frank shared :”Both the organization and individual would have to build mutual trust and a code of ethics. It is possible to overlook the importance one has over the other. The end should be a benefit for both to have a powerful outcome. “
Shivani Dhuliya shared :”For individuals – They will miss out the total rewards part, health insurance, gratuity, tax liabilities etc. They will also miss on the job learning opportunities + Internal job change opportunity. Also, the feeling of belongingness will be gone.”
Bhairavi Buch Sonowal shared :”Getting clients for gig work and just start out is one of the challenges of gig economy .Added to it are the cash flows and benefits herein freelancers do not receive worth of their efforts!”
Lalit Jagtiani shared :”Individuals loose out due to lack of visibility and brand image, organisations loose out from long term commitment of good talent”
Impact of the future of work on the culture of an Organization
The final discussion was about how the future of the work could cause an impact in the culture and the workforce of the organization and how it is beneficial. Everyone shared their thoughts and opinions on the topic.
Bhairavi Buch Sonowal shared :”There will be huge impact on training humans for future work skills and thereby more trained workforce would be there”
Lalit Jagtiani shared :”Organisations need to focus on enhancing creativity, clarity of purpose and direction, to enable innovation and alignment”
Michelle Frank shared :”Culture of work is everything. Sam Walton of Walmart chain, Richard Branson of Virgin all build their brands on their work culture. The believed in having their employees voices heard.”
Conclusion
The tweet chat ended with all knowledge shared and brainstorming about how organisation can thrive in the future of work.
