Stop for a moment and consider the role technology plays in your world. When you think about it, the touch of technology is visible almost everywhere from the cars we drive, the way we communicate with others, how we consume media and entertainment, and how we work. It’s difficult to think of an area where we don’t experience some level of technological disruption.
A New Revolution
Because of technology’s prevalence, we don’t often give much thought to the influence and potential for disruption it plays. This level of 24/7 connectivity is what some are calling the Fourth Industrial revolution. At the World Economic Forum, digital disruption was a topic of great discussion centered on how digital technologies contribute to society. The speed at which things are evolving around the world evokes changes not seen since the previous industrial revolution forever advanced hand production methods through steam power, machine tools and factory work.
Braving the Tide
The sheer number of changes and the possibility attached to each one leaves many businesses in what some are calling a “digital culture shock.” While few could or should attempt to stay up-to-date with all of the technological changes, those who successfully embrace this Fourth Industrial revolution are doing so with a people-centric approach. This includes looking to individuals within the workplace to be on the lookout for opportunities to learn new technological skills and find places to apply them.
Accenture’s People-Lead Trends
Intelligent Automation – Humans have a long-held ambivalence concerning robots and automation in the workplace. This includes the very real loss of jobs to machines as well as sci-fi dramatizations that demonstrate what can go wrong by removing the human element. Intelligent automation hopes to create a more balanced relationship between people and machines by offering improved ways of doing things in the digital economy.
Liquid Workforce – The workforce of the future creates a competitive advantage through adaptable environments able to meet digital technology demands. It’s an environment necessitating employees learn new things quickly and shift with technological evolutions.
Platform Economy – The embrace of platform models have the potential to create big macroeconomic shifts. These internal or external interlinking platform systems provide a foundation for evolution and change from a more familiar standpoint. For example, using an existing software system or a social network to create something new.
Predictable Disruption – Determining the existence of new ecosystems and markets ripe to enter with the purpose of creating a competitive advantage.
Digital Trust – Feeling safe to use and share digital information internally and externally.
Fast Times
Ready or not, the next revolution of business and digital technology is upon us. Similar to events from the last industrial revolution, businesses will rely on people to explore and use new and existing technologies to be on the forefront of creating new ideas and developing products and services able to break the common mold.
As a top Kansas City recruiting firm since 1988, Austin Nichols Technical Search has served clients in a variety of fields and specializations. Austin Nichols specializes in direct hire and contract recruiting for all generations in manufacturing, construction, engineering, and technical positions.
