The future of work is something that will affect all of us. And although we don’t have a crystal ball (just yet) it’s important for every organisation to keep one eye on what tomorrow will bring. After all, identifying key future skills, technology, and trends can help put your business one step ahead of the competition.
We spoke with James Haworth Wheatman, Vice President of Enactus Sheffield and third-year Physics student to get his take on what the future holds for the world of work and the key skills we might need in this brand-new landscape.
I think focusing on talent and getting the right expertise in. The people with the right degrees, the people who have great tech knowledge. I also think that Enactus and other organisations have to focus on becoming more technologically advanced. More generally, I feel that collaboration is a huge thing. You have people across industries working on the same things and I think there is a real benefit to these people coming together and collaborating. Some companies may not feel this is in their best interests, but I think it’s important for really getting the most out of ideas, particularly advancements in tech.
I think that advances in technology could potentially remove the need for some soft skills. But this could be detrimental. In the world of business, I think you are always going to have to be able to talk to people, to connect with people. The core foundation of important soft skills will probably remain the same and communication is a key one. Technology can enhance things in many ways, but it can often lead you astray when it comes to communication. Like how it’s much easier to catch a gesture or meaning in person than it is on email.
Certainly investing in new technology and streamlining their businesses through technological solutions. That is definitely something that everyone needs to invest in. They should also be part of industry events and start talking to their competitors and colleagues across the board. Having conversations and listening to experts is a great way to understand what’s coming next.