The Future of Global Workforce: Trends and Innovations
The future of the global workforce is likely to be one of the most important aspects of our working lives. With advancements in technology, increasing globalisation, and rapid change in all areas of work, it’s more important than ever to understand how the future of the global workforce is likely to play out.
Industries around the world are already experiencing a major shift in workforce trends, innovations and new roles, as companies take advantage of new technologies to increase efficiency and develop new business models. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most talked-about trends and innovations that experts believe will shape the future of the global workforce.
Remote Work
Remote work is one of the most significant trends that has been shaking up the global workforce. In recent years, increasing numbers of companies have been giving employees the flexibility to work from home, or other locations away from the traditional ‘office’ setting.
This trend has been made possible by advances in technology, such as cloud computing, real-time project management and collaboration tools, as well as improved connectivity and bandwidths that enable employees to remain connected to their teams and projects.
The benefits of remote working goes beyond improved employee satisfaction and increased productivity; it could be a decisive factor in helping cultivate a more globally dispersed workforce. Companies who implement remote working policies will be able to broaden their talent pool and source employees across the world, no matter where the headquarters might be located.
AI & Automation
The emergence of AI and automation is arguably the most significant development in the world of work over the past couple of decades. AI has given businesses the opportunity to automate mundane, repetitive tasks to save time, effort and cost. With machines becoming increasingly sophisticated and capable of using advanced data analysis and learning algorithms, AI has become a powerful tool used to automate entire operations.
For instance, algorithms can be used to carry out data analyses, assignments or to manage customer service operations. As the use of AI and automation continues to grow, we will likely see a decrease in routine jobs, as machines take on a larger proportion of the work. At the same time, the emergence of such technology is expected to create new job roles and opportunities, such as growth hacking and automation engineering.
Data Security
As an integral part of any business’s success, data security is becoming more important than ever. A data breach can have huge repercussions for both business reputation and market share, as well as loss of customers, so companies must take steps to ensure security of their data.
In the future, organisations will be expected to put in place more detailed processes and procedures to protect and secure data, such as rigorous password protocols and cyber security training for staff. Regulations such as GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act are already starting to take effect and there is little doubt that similar laws will be enacted in other countries in the future.
Freelancing
The world of freelancing has been growing over recent years and is likely to be an important factor in the future of the global workforce. More and more people are choosing to become part of the ‘gig economy’, i.e. they work in an array of different projects, on a freelance basis, to mix up their working environment, gain experience and set their own hours.
Furthermore, freelancing by nature can help achieve globalisation on a personal level, as talented professionals can quickly find projects or assignments in different countries across the world. By enabling individuals to take control of their own careers, freelancing is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between local and global talent sourcing.
Robust Talent Acquisition Processes
In order to stay competitive in today’s competitive global market, companies need to leverage robust talent acquisition processes. Companies are increasingly looking to develop their own recruitment processes and systems, as well as ways of measuring the performance of prospective employees.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning can help with identifying talent and predicting which employees will be the most successful within the organisation. Additionally, companies can also utilise gamified skill tests and virtualised job interviews to assess the capability of candidates early on in the interview process, ensuring to choose the best people for the job.
Cloud Collaboration Platform
Online collaboration platforms that run on the cloud have become increasingly commonplace in the past couple of years. Companies have embraced such platforms due to the added flexibility and collaboration opportunities that they provide.
By leveraging cloud-based collaboration platforms, organisations can also reduce overhead costs and improve communication and collaboration, as everyone involved in a project or a task can access and contribute to projects from anywhere.
Enhanced Diversity
The increased connectivity brought by the emergence of technologies has enabled conversations and initiatives around diversity to become commonplace in the workplace. Enhanced diversity affects almost all aspects of work, from recruitment, to the development of products and services and even the job market.
Diversity is beneficial for companies worldwide, as it can reduce costs, help build teams of high performing individuals and increase customer satisfaction. Furthermore, diversity can contribute to better decision-making and help companies become more involved with the communities they serve.
From remote working to artificial intelligence, the future of the global workforce is set to be defined by a lot of changes. As workplaces worldwide are increasingly connected, companies have more opportunities than ever to tap into global pools of talent, automate mundane tasks and improve their recruitment processes. As organisations look to embrace new trends and keep up with the ever-evolving technological landscape, it’s more important than ever for companies to understand how the future of the global workforce is likely to shape up.
