The future of the workplace is coming. Trends and forecasters show the workplace undergoing significant changes. If your company is still running in the traditional way, know that there are some exciting shifts in store. As you begin to plan your future, here are 5 trends to keep in mind.
1. Workspaces and Hours
The millennial generation eschews the traditional. As companies look to attract top ambition and talent to grow their companies, they must synch with the mindset of the new generation. Flexibility to manage one's own time is key. Today's workers want to thrive at work and at life. Hence, more companies are allowing their employees to work wherever they want, whenever they want, measuring productivity in accomplishments rather than hours. Many employers are also beginning to tear down the cubicles in favor of creating a more cohesive team environment replete with common areas and open work stations.
2. Going Mobile
The tech world has torn down the barriers of time and space, increasing the ability of teams to work remotely. New communication tools make working out of the office possible. Virtual companies are also on the rise, eliminating the overhead associated with starting and running a traditional company. Teams from around the world can collaborate as employers forego the cost of headquartering. The growing mobile and virtual trends fit easily into the modern shifts toward greater flexibility and work-life balance.
3. Global Recruitment
The global economy is breaking down borders, and paving the way for international employers to come knocking on your door. Global companies are looking for the best talent, and oceans and deserts are no hindrance. Europe and Asia have been particularly active in scanning the earth for ambition and drive, and for leaders who can make their companies thrive in the new global world.
4. Independent Consultants
Hiring out is trendy. Companies are diving more frequently into the freelance pool, as more specialized consultants begin to emerge. This hiring-on-demand trend is advantageous to employers because it eliminates the overhead of health insurance, ongoing payroll, and perks. Temporary employees, contract workers, freelancers and consultants save costs for companies by providing them with support on an as-needed basis. While many employers still lean toward large consulting firms for major projects like mergers, hiring by project is becoming more mainstream. For employees, this opens the door to new opportunities to branch out of the office and connect with top companies on a per-project basis.
5. New leadership
Leadership is acquiring a new face, and it's not the face of the ambitious, cutthroat who's spent his life climbing through the corporate hierarchy. The Hierarchy is fading, as leadership in the Millennial Age takes on a much more hands-on, human approach. Those who rise to the top will be those who inspire others through ideas and solid leadership skills, and those who take the time and initiative to collaborate as equals.
Ultimately, the definitive thread that connects the trends of tomorrow is an emphasis on humanizing what has been seen as the cold, austere image of the corporate world. Looking out into 2016 and beyond, the future is looking bright for the generation that thrives on human connection, equality, and getting things done.
