Five disruptive forces shaping the new world of work

This presentation or workshop helps companies prepare for the upturn, and take advantage of the turbulent years that lie ahead. The recession has been more than just an economic downturn – it has changed the world of work, forever. Some key trends that were already vaguely evident a few years ago have now been catalysed by the downturn, and will fundamentally change the way we work, the rules of the game and the methods by which companies will gain and retain competitive advantage in their industries.

Every recession in recorded history has ended with chaos, as unexpected winners and losers rapidly emerge. This one will be no different, and this session will show you what will shape your success in the next few years.

This session highlights the five key drivers of disruptive change in almost every industry these days: Technology, Institutional upheaval, changing Demographics, the Environment and shifting Societal values. These are the TIDES of change!

• Technology – from biomedical advances to space tourism, and web 2.0 to mobile internet, we will be shaped by the impact of convergence, augmented reality and user-generated content.
• Institutional upheaval – there is a “new normal” emerging as the rules for success in almost every industry are changing.
• Demographics – ageing populations, plummeting fertility and global migration are just a few of the demographic shifts that are fundamentally changing the world, our employees and our customers.
• Environment – sustainability is now more than ever a business imperative, and should be developed as a business critical strategy.
• Societal values – what we expect, what we value and how we live are all changing, as we change our views on issues as diverse as the role of women, homosexuality, the role of the family, work-life balance, how we want to be remunerated, what work environment we want, how we will work virtually, and how companies can motivate us. There is some surprising science behind these monumental shifts in societal values.

These five drivers of disruption provide a clear framework for strategy development for the next 3 to 5 years. Companies and organisations that understand how the world will change and the new rules for success in their industry will gain a significant competitive advantage as we emerge from recession.

It is a guaranteed paradigm shaker and conversation starter as you and your team develop your strategies. Complete with relevant and interesting facts, case studies and multi-media clips, the content is drawn from our team’s wide international experience and research. The content challenges commonly held assumptions about business and how the world works. Consequently, it invites strategic insights, understanding and discussion, and is laced with a practicality and a gently rebuking humour that makes it immediately applicable and keeps participants thoroughly engaged throughout.

A video overview of After Shock:

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Formats

This session can be delivered as a keynote presentation or strategic input, lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. We use full multimedia, laced with humour and relevant case studies. The keynote is adapted for each audience, and can be made industry-specific or function-specific in its application and focus.

The session can be delivered as a workshop, either half day or full day.

The session can be used in conjunction with our work on strategy (see “Beyond Strategy”), as part of a facilitated strategy development session. This would typically last one and a half days, and be overnight at an offsite venue. We use both appreciative enquiry and a ParticiPlan process to assist strategy development for companies or departments within companies.

Take Home Value

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand the five key drivers of disruptive change, and how these will impact their industry and their function within their company
  
• See clearly that this recession has not just been an economic downturn, but is a key change point in many of the rules for success in their industry
  
• Be motivated to think and act strategically
  
• Be inspired to think creatively about the future of their company and their department
  
• Know where competitive advantage is to be found in the next 3-5 years
  

Download a summary of the slides

PDF versions of all of our presentations are available for download. Click here for the full list, and to download a summary of this presentation.

Links to resources

Listen to a recording of a radio interview with Peter Clayton of Total Picture Radio in the USA. The interview ended up stretching over two shows, and is now available online as a podcast (two 20-minute MP3 files): The T.I.D.E.S. of Change, Part One: Introduction and Technology, and then Part 2: What Do You Need to Know to Be an Winner in the New Normal?.

Our white papers library has numerous articles on future trends. The most important are:

• After Shock – this is a summary of the presentation, giving a lot of detail about the five disruptive forces.

• The recession isn’t your biggest problem
• Eight reasons why you should take ethical consumption more seriously
  
• Why Strategies Don’t Work
  
• Green shoots or stormy skies ahead?

The TomorrowToday team writes regularly on all these issues on their blog. Click here to go directly to the appropriate category at ConnectionEconomy.com.

Book us

Book one of our world-class speakers and business experts for your next company event, team meeting, away day or company conference. Note that Graeme Codrington is the primary presenter of After Shock.