Adapting to the Speed of Technology Change

Article Courtesy of Office Depot, a WBA PROS Partner

What do you want to be when you grow up?

As recently as 10 years ago, answering that question seemed pretty easy. Computer scientist. Plumber. Doctor. Musician. Kids understood the options and picked jobs based on their interests.

Now the rapid pace of technology advancements significantly complicates the question. According to a recent study, 85% of jobs that will be in demand in 2030 do not currently exist. We are only starting to understand the impact that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics and the internet of things (IoT) will have on how things get done.

Businesses of all sizes are responding. To help professionals prepare for what’s next, organizations of all types acknowledge that the best path forward is to foster a culture of collaboration. The goal is to enable people to work together to share ideas, spark creativity and collectively solve problems.

By proactively developing mindsets that embrace change, as new technologies make their way into more mainstream applications, individuals will be prepared with the skills needed to learn, adapt and thrive. 

Technology changes everything
The advanced technology that was once the basis of story lines for science fiction movies has made its way into everyday life. The smartphones we take for granted have more computing power than the systems that guided the Apollo 11 moon landing.  Fast network speeds and mobile devices make it easier for many people to be productive away from a formal office setting.

At the same time, if not managed properly, technology also has the power to make people feel disconnected. Sure, it’s possible to connect with team members via online applications at any time of the day, but it’s easy to lose a sense of community when most interactions are done in isolation. Businesses that intentionally promote a culture of collaboration will benefit from better employee engagement and a better sense of belonging.

Nurturing the new workforce
In addition to the impact of new technologies on the workforce landscape, changes in demographics make it difficult for companies to find skilled workers. Baby boomers — those born between 1946 and 1964 — are retiring at the rate of 10,000 people per day, up from about 2,000 people per day just 10 years ago. By 2030, everyone who falls in this demographic will be 65 years of age or older.  The Generation X population — those born between 1965 and 1981 — is much smaller than the baby boom generation (66 million compared to 75 million).

Fewer people in the workforce requires companies to be more flexible about where qualified employees live and work. Now more than ever, employees are likely to be located in multiple time zones and work in teams built from representatives of many departments.

Companies fostering a culture of collaboration are critical for engaging workers and inspiring them to develop problem-solving skills and embrace the possibilities that new technologies enable.

Collaboration is key
“Collaboration is like carbonation for fresh ideas,” said Caroline Ghosn, founder and CEO of Levo, a networking platform created for young professionals. “Working together bubbles up ideas you would not have come up with solo, which gets you further faster.”

Teams that collaborate at work get access to each person’s specialized knowledge. Problems are addressed from multiple angles, and participants gain new perspectives from outside their knowledge base. It’s a chance to learn from others’ experiences of which an individual may never otherwise be exposed.

Creating collaboration-friendly environments
Social media, online collaboration tools, and always-on internet access combine to create an exciting eco-system. Companies need to be intentional about the environments in which their employees collaborate by providing furniture that easily adapts to the task at hand, support for interactive technology and collaboration tools.

Modern methodologies, such as Agile, Lean and Design Thinking, require modern tools, furniture, tech and supply assortments for product, project and solutions development.

Workspaces need to support both remote and on-site workers with compelling physical spaces that encourage teamwork. Flexible seating configurations, support for devices and easy ways to interact with co-workers around the globe are essential. Just as important are separate quiet spaces for individual reflection and focused work. Employees need access to tools that support creative thinking and ideation sessions, ranging from sticky notes and markers to mobile power stations and ideation boards.

Home environments are equally important in this equation since technology makes it easier to work from almost anywhere. Because many people spend less time in offices, solutions that connect individuals to others are important to eliminate feelings of isolation. The kitchen table just doesn’t cut it as a workspace. Dedicated home office environments with comfortable seating and a range of office supplies are spaces where people can separate their work commitments from their personal lives.

Ready for what’s next
The rapid pace of changing technology makes it difficult to predict what careers will emerge in the coming years. We do know that one thing will remain constant — the need for people to work together. Putting in place now the tools and environments that support creative problem-solving and cross-discipline collaboration prepares businesses to benefit from what’s next — whatever that turns out to be.

Office Depot® can help
Office Depot understands the needs of today’s collaborative work environments. We offer a wide range of configurable furniture and office supplies that foster productivity, inspire creativity and encourage critical thinking. Look to Office Depot for more than 200,000 best-in-class technology products from brands such as Apple®, HP, Microsoft, and Lenovo®, backed by installation, repair, and ongoing support services to keep your workplace connected and productive. Visit business.officedepot.com.

[1]“The Next Era of Human-Machine Partnerships,” Institute for the Future (IFTF) for Dell Technologies, 2017.

²Puiu, Tibi, “Your smartphone is millions of times more powerful than all of NASA’s combined computing in 1969,” February 5, 2019, ZME Science. Retrieved from https://www.zmescience.com/research/technology/smartphone-power-compared-to-apollo-432/

3 Myers, Kristin, “Americans are retiring at an increasing pace,” Yahoo! Finance, November 21, 2018. Retrieved from https://finance.yahoo.com/news/americans-retiring-increasing-pace-145837368.html

4 Martin, Anna Sofia, “The Undetected Influence of Generation X,” Forbes, September 13, 2106. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2016/09/13/the-undetected-influence-of-generation-x/#53c8f98e1efb

5 Ghosn, Caroline, “Lift Your Passion Project to the Next Level,” Medium, April 27, 2017. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@Caroline_Ghosn/lift-your-passion-project-to-the-next-level-515bada017d3