EMERGING TRENDS: FOTI’S FOCUS FOR 2010
Self-Connecting Collaborative Systems
For decades organizations and individuals have tried to build and be part of teams with mixed success. Hierarchy, isolation and poor communication, individual goals and reward systems have made collaboration difficult. We are now embracing transparency, changing conventional ideas about privacy. leveraging technology to connect people anywhere, anytime and making it easier for everyone to share and contribute. There is less hierarchy and people are more able to reach out to anyone who can contribute ideas or skills.
From Titles to Roles
Organizations are realizing that innovation and engagement come from removing hierarchy, employing people able to span many disciplines and do a variety of tasks, and from simply having fewer people. We are moving from organizations full of narrow, deeply-skilled employees to ones filled with people who have broader and more general skills. Firms are using consultants and outsourcing firms to provide in-depth expertise in many areas that are not core to their business.
The Dominance of Choice in Working Styles
Large numbers of us are seeking employment in non- traditional ways. Temporary, contract and part-time work are all becoming common. People are opting to work some-of-the-time and once-in-a-while. Organizations are realizing the value of having a mix of regular and other workers. Third-place work where people enjoy almost total freedom from restrictions of space and time is becoming more normal. Work can be timed-shifted and even physical movement is easy and relatively cheap.
The focus in on output and results instead of effort and time.
Too Many Choices
Rather than having to deal with limited resources and the constraints imposed by geography and poor communications, we now have freedom of choice unprecedented in history. With vast reservoirs of knowledge that can be tapped for free, with multiple data sources and instant communication, and with eased laws and social constrictions, coupled with vast and low cost communication networks , our emerging problem is how to deal with all this choice.
Blogs
From Social Networks to Communities
by Kevin Wheeler on 17 June 2010
Social media and social networks are all the rage. They are supposed to help us connect to a wider range of people, find like-minded associates, build brand loyalty, locate and engage candidates for employment, provide education and real time learning, and stay in touch with dispersed family members or workers. Over the past half decade [...] Read More >>
Challenging Assumptions – Why Plans, Budgets and Deadlines Should Go Away
by Kevin Wheeler on 23 May 2010
Freedom of choice, control over outcomes, and accountability are better drivers of success than plans, budgetsm, adn deadlines. Read More >>
What’s Happening in Learning in South Africa?
by Kevin Wheeler on 12 May 2010
South Africa faces huge talent challenges. Unemployment is around 20% not because there is no work, but because many people lack basic skills. How to provide skills rapidly is the question. Read More >>
