Here's how to prepare your employees for the future while safeguarding your organisation's longevity.
One of the key things HR leaders need to do to make their organization more resilient in the face of emerging technology and changing market forces is to drive a culture of continuous learning because as technology takes over, people with ideas will be the scarcest resource.
Because, while the jobs of the future may not yet be created, the skills that will be needed for future workforce readiness are a mix of digital literacy, self-presentation and time management. In addition, workers of the future will benefit from a set of communication skills, critical and creative thinking and adaptability to navigate the world they will live in.
Some of the strategies that employers can deploy to increase their employees’ prospects of being future proof include creating a flexible workplace where there is a focus on engagement and productivity, rather than maintain old measures of impact, which may have lost their irrelevance over time. Additionally, the idea of the single job has to disappear and as such, employees have to be empowered to make decisions and participate in different aspects of the business. Most jobs will be reconfigured rather than lost, companies have to anticipate this and plan accordingly, but employees need to be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that may arise in different areas of the organisation.
Technology is blurring the lines between physical, digital and biospheres as people are necessary to leverage the full potential of Artificial Intelligence and the best outcomes happen when man and machine work together.
Technology has drastically changed the world of learning, with a massive transition from books and manuals to online content on mobile phones in recent years. Platforms that offer augmented learning experiences, as is the case in AR and VR, are increasingly gaining the attention of organisation. Access to technology to encourage experimentation is an important factor in keeping employees up to date. The opportunity to test and trial new tools and experiment with them will help inspire new ways of thinking.
The benefits of augmented learning are its 24/7 accessibility, and deeply immersive nature which stimulates multiple senses and delivers a more enhanced learning experience than more traditional mediums. Additionally, virtual platforms can be replicated without escalation of costs, are safe, efficient and offers limitless applications.
An environment that doesn’t punish creativity but rather encourages an entrepreneurial outlook, of innovation, creativity, resilience and curiosity. One of the biggest challenges organizations have to overcome is the shortening life cycle of education, therefore a mind-set of continuous learning will best prepare individuals for the uncertainty of the future.
