13 May 2008
Your comms role in a decade's time
We may become virtual – but we’re human too.
Threats and opportunities for 2018 – and what to do about them – are the focus of Management Futures, the latest Chartered Management Institute study.
“The World Continued”
The report suggests 17 possible scenarios, but “The World Continued” is seen as the most likely. But a basic safeguard against the unexpected is to become more flexible and open to change.
The World Continued scenario predicts increasingly polarized business models ranging from global corporates to virtual community-based firms.
People in these organizations will be more diverse, with different generational issues and cultural backgrounds – differences that will create more complex talent markets for recruitment.
Wisdom – a valuable resource
The nature of work will change dramatically, with many tasks currently performed by us being done by machines.
The report supports previous studies in highlighting the increased use of technology. But it acknowledges the person-to-person aspects of organizational life and says wisdom will become a valuable resource.
The report acknowledges the person-to-person aspects of organizational life and says wisdom will become a valuable resource.
“Organizations will want to access the societal, cultural and organizational memory via practices such as organizational rituals, gatherings and accounts of long-term employees,” the report says. “This tacit knowledge can be accessed via storytelling, anecdotes and case studies.”
Senior executive views
Management Futures's research combines trend analysis, the views of economists, and academic and business leaders with a survey of more than 1,000 senior executives. This month’s Professional Manager, the Chartered Management Institute’s magazine, provides a glimpse of the survey findings:
- Global corporations will exert more influence than governments (66%).
- Customer participation in business decisions will increase (63%).
- Teams will be more multi-generational (63%).
- Project management skills will be necessary for all (63%).
- Virtual businesses will be commonplace (74%).
- Homeworking will increase (65%).
- Work-life balance will be the key to job choice (73%).
We’re all human in the end
The report says “humanness” will be a key factor for an organization’s success and collaboration will be vital.
Given increased virtualization of work, effective management of distributed teams, and connecting with distant staff, will be key.
Steven Holliday, chief executive, National Grid, says we need to become better at managing remoteness. “We need to connect people on a regular basis with those who are leading them and put structure and sense into the work they are doing.”
Mary Chapman, chief executive, Chartered Management Institute, says, “A greater degree of emotional intelligence will be required by managers and leaders so they can understand how people work and their likely reaction to change.”
Management Futures – key actions to prepare for the future
- Articulate the key questions about the future of your business.
- Uncover the assumptions of your team and experts about the future of your business.
- Be aware of possible surprises that may shake your business foundations.
- Identify key opportunities for the future of your business.
- Have a clear vision of your business in the short, medium and long term.
- Ensure the short, medium and long term strategy is articulated and implementable.
Download the study from the Chartered Management Institute.
Have your say
Like other futures reports, this one also highlights technology trends and the increasingly virtual workplace. But this report also balances hi-tech with hi-touch and urges leaders to make the workplace more “human”.
How “human” is your organization? What is the future role for communicators in “humanizing” the world of work?
Share your thoughts on these issues with other comms practitioners by joining the Internal Comms Hub members' group on the Communicators' Network.
Other recommendations:
OPINION: India’s communication opportunities
How will tomorrow's employee behave?
Got a news story? Contact the newsdesk