As the world changes, so do our jobs–what does that mean for your future?
What will 2019 hold for you in the office? Will open floor plans still be gaining traction? Or are you more concerned about adapting to the trends that will keep existing customers and secure you more business? Read on for a brief look at what’s ahead in the coming months.
Work from home
For many, working from home is the dream. But the reality is usually far from the myth of someone sitting in their pajamas pounding away on a spreadsheet. In fact, Stanford Professor Nicholas Bloom conducted an almost two-year study that revealed work-from-home employees do more work (they aren’t arriving late, or dashing out early), plus they find it easier to concentrate at home. Bloom’s research also found that there was a 50 percent decrease in attrition in the work-from-home group, despite the fact that they had fewer sick days and generally took less time off and shorter breaks throughout the day.
Work-from-home employees will have an impact not only on the social behavior of a business, but also on the technology used. Devices that support flexibility in the work place location will continue to increase. It may not work for every type of business, but offering some flexibility in this regard could be a smart move for your company.
Personalizing business
For those whose business touches on marketing and advertising, which honestly is everyone, the importance of personalization cannot be stressed enough. Consumers are becoming more and more savvy to generic call to actions and campaigns. To wow them and motivate them, it is essential to create messaging that they feel speaks to them.
A big opportunity for personalization lies in email communication. Marketo found that personalizing an email will increase the click-through rate by 97 percent and even boost open rates by 26 percent. Crafting an email that is individual is clearly worth the effort, but you have to go beyond subbing in the person’s name in the greeting. Look for ways to craft content that feels focused on the person receiving the message.
A new revolution
Technology is obviously a big part of the changes facing the work force in 2019 and beyond. In fact, the World Economic Forum has said we are on the cusp of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution.” The speed at which technology is disrupting our work lives is unprecedented in our history, and how workers and businesses adapt will affect everyone in some capacity. The advantages are many, and thus far have included an increase in efficiency in multiple facets of life. But what about the challenges that come with these massive and fast-moving changes? Technology has the potential to create more inequality, as some jobs shift from being performed by humans to machines.
