Technology is changing work forever. Here are a few examples of companies who are adapting.
While there is plenty to be cautious about with technology, most would agree that technology enriches life more than it depletes life.
As long as the benefits outweigh the harm, humans will continue to embrace technology.
Today, technology is being embraced at break-neck speeds. For example, the dockless scooter-share company, Bird, operates in 120 cities, has over two million unique riders, and recently surpassed 11.5 million rides in just 18 months.
As technology gets embraced faster and faster, it's not only changing the way we live but also the way we work.
4 Ways Technology Is Changing the Way You Work
1. Company Structure
Labor is no longer centralized. The modern workforce is global and distributed.
Example: The ice cream company, Halo Top, grew from $230,000 in 2013 to more than $100 million in 2018 without a company office. All 75 full-time employees work remotely and use the chat app, Slack, to communicate.
2. Information Structure
Information is no longer centralized. People are informed and empowered.
Example: The note-taking software company, Evernote, allows any employee to teach anything. At the Evernote Academy, employees have taught classes ranging from managing others and navigating conflict to lock-picking and Lego-building.
3. Leadership Approach
Influence is no longer centralized. A network approach is replacing hierarchy.
Example: General Motors is going beyond the organizational chart by using social capital to provide a more realistic picture of how employees work with each other, how new ideas are discovered, and decisions are made. According to Michael J. Arena, Chief Talent Officer at GM, "The social connections that happen deeper inside the organization that may not resemble the formal organizational chart enhance speed, agility, and innovation."
4. Roles and Responsibilities
Skill is no longer centralized. Artificial intelligence and robotics will force re-skilling.
Example: At SoftWear Automation they are using robots to make clothing. Their "sewbots" can produce 1,142 t-shirts in 8 hours which is the work of 17 humans without any human intervention.
Expect these work elements and others to continue changing as Generation Z begins enter the workforce.
As a Millennial and Generation Z keynote speaker and trainer, I help companies lead, engage, and sell to the emerging generations. If you'd like help solving tough generational challenges inside your organization, click here.
