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North West in business:- "The world of work in 2018....!"
A
business-world under cyber attack, the United States withdrawing
from the world economy and employee behaviour controlled by
implanted micro-chips are all possible scenarios for business in
2018, according to a study, called... ‘Management Futures’,
the study identifies 17 possible scenarios facing organisations
across the North West in the next decade.
The analyses used current
trends, past experience and the views of economists, an academic and
business leaders to predict what the world of work will look like in
2018.
Combined with a survey of over 1,000 senior executives, the study
will be used to help business leaders in the region understand what
needs to be done, today, to prepare for tomorrow.
The findings
imply that holograms, robots and ‘intelligent’ computers all
have a role to play in the North West’s future business landscape.
However, CEOs in the region will be more concerned by changes to
current business models, trade blocs and the UK’s ability to compete
on a global scale. Some key predictions include:-
► business markets:- trade blocs, within and across markets,
will experience more competition and conflict. According to the
executives surveyed across the North West, global corporations will
exert more influence than governments (63%) and surveillance of work
will increase on all levels (93%). The data also suggests that the
marketplace will be heavily influenced by new players from Brazil,
Russia, India and China
► supply and demand:- business models will change their
nature, becoming more open to external influences. 64% of
respondents in the region suggest customer participation in business
decisions will increase. 56% predict that environmental concerns and
regulation will create products with longer lifecycles
► business structures:- organisations will alter in character,
reflecting changes in society. For example, 59% in the North West
believe ‘teams will be more multi-generational’, and 35% say
‘increased numbers of senior women will have changed management
styles’
► 17 scenarios:- predictions range from terrorists attacking
the internet, bringing work to a halt, through to a world dominated
by digitally controlled employees. With this in mind, the study
calls for a focus on ‘intellectual property banks’ to balance
requirements for openness with business protection and argues that
‘brain enhancement technology’ must be monitored to avoid misuse
► virtual reality:- only a small proportion in the region
think that holograms (28%), robots (27%) or implanted bio-chips
(12%) will be used to drive business efficiency. However 75% argue
that ‘virtual businesses’ will be commonplace and 89% say the
nature of work in 2018 will lead to increased ‘virtual contact’
► projected skills need:- organisations across the North West
will still need many of the skills required today, but the ability
to drive change will be prized. The research shows that 84% believe
project management skills will be necessary for all, with 60%
agreeing that ‘innovation and creativity will be key to most
tasks’
► home is where the heart (of business) is:- the study
predicts that the ‘work needs’ of employees will change as
they operate across wider geographical areas. 55% in the North West
expect working from home will be commonplace to reduce the carbon
footprint. 76% suggest work-life balance will be the key to job
choice
Mary Chapman, chief executive, at the Chartered Management
Institute, says:- “Looking ahead 10 years, it is clear that
the successful organisations will be those who can do more than
embrace change; they will anticipate, identify and drive it.
Of
course we cannot determine the future, but that does not mean we
shouldn’t forecast and prepare for it to ensure that organisations
and teams are effective, capable and competitive.”
The report goes on to identify ‘humanness’ as a key factor
for future organisational success. It suggests that positions and
job titles might be removed if they hinder collaboration.
Looking at the ‘private needs of people’ the study also shows
that changing demographics will compel organisations to offer more
tailored lifestyle benefits to employees.
Chapman adds:- “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.
They will also need
to shift from today’s input-driven approach to a focus on output,
achievement and a better integration between work and personal
lives.” |
PeoplE IN THE NORTH WEST pay the price for poor maths & English
PEOPLE in the North West are
losing £129 million a year as they struggle to check bills,
calculate tips or figure out the best deals for mobile phone
tariffs, a new report reveals. Learndirect, the UK’s largest
provider of numeracy and literacy skills and qualifications today
launches the ME-Q Index which shows how much money Brits are losing
year on year due to inadequate Maths and English, comparing towns
and cities across the UK. The amount of money lost last year overall
amounts to £1.45 billion; a significant increase on the previous
year’s report.
In summary, results for the North West region reveal:-
► A quarter of people find it difficult to work out best value for
money things such as electricity, gas and mobile phone tariffs
► Almost one in five have over-spent due to incorrectly calculating
how much everything would cost
► 45% use their fingers to add up
► On average, people in the North West have lost £25 in the past
year due to poor maths calculations
The ME-Q Index, the maths and English quotient, looked at basic
skills across 20 towns and cities in the UK. Of those surveyed,
Stoke on Trent was the town where people lost the most (£88 per head
with more than twice the national average of £32) while on a regional
level Greater London fared worst (£74), and Leeds was the city to
lose least (£11). Almost one hundred thousand people admitted to
losing more than a grand last year due to basic skills issues like
bill miscalculations; adding or taking away VAT or the
multiplication/division involved in working out foreign currency
when abroad.
However, while billions are being lost due to poor basic skills,
Brits seem to find it hard to admit to problems with maths and
English and almost a fifth won’t use their spare time to brush up
(17%). They are far more likely to spend a day watching TV than
refreshing their skills.
In response to the findings, Learndirect is urging the 7 million
people across the UK who have a basic skills need, to make a change.
Sally Coady, Learndirect spokesperson said:- ‘This research
demonstrates the effects of the Skills Gap in the UK very clearly
with the huge financial cost. A lack of maths and English skills can
really hit you in the pocket but there is also a cost to people’s
confidence. Some people will go to great lengths to avoid using
their maths and English and it can hold them back in many areas from
advancing their careers or helping their kids with homework. We are
urging people to spend a few hours a week on improving their
skills.’
Coleen Nolan, who is supporting Learndirect in this campaign, said:-
‘No matter what your job is you can always benefit from
boosting your maths and English skills. I have been held back by my
maths and I dread to think how much money I have lost out on due to
not calculating foreign exchange or tips correctly. Even more
important for me is that my lack of confidence stops me from helping
my kids with homework. I think we should all do something to sort it
out.’
Scores across the UK:-
1. Reading is the town that finds everyday maths problems most
confusing
2. Cambridge has the least trouble with everyday maths
3. Londoners have most difficulty working out scales on maps and
plans
4. Calculating percentages for tipping is trickiest for those from
Coventry
5. One in two Londoners use their fingers to add up
6. People from Reading are most likely to rely on other people to do
their calculations for them, with over a quarter relying on this
7. Birmingham locals are most likely to need help with their
spelling – with Spellchecker used heavily
8. Nottingham is the city most reliant on calculators at work
9. The South East was the region that found everyday maths to be
most confusing
10. Yorkshire & Humber was the canniest region when it came to money
and lost by far the least money due to their maths skills
For details of your nearest centre or information on courses that
could lead to a maths or English qualification up to the same level
as a GCSE, call Learndirect on 0800 101 901 or log on to
www.Learndirect.co.uk/courses. |
