The workplace crystal ball

THE WORKPLACE CRYSTAL BALL

Notes from Worktech Lonodn 2011

Richard Bertram, head of business development, TSK

Worktech London is the second UK-based event of the year on the global Worktech conference circuit following the Manchester-based event, which is run in partnership with TSK, earlier this year.

I travelled down to hear some of the leading thinkers on contemporary workplace design and management impart their knowledge to a captive audience.

Three of the key speakers stood out for me.

Brian David Johnson is the futurist for technology-giant Intel. His entire job revolves around horizon gazing at the trends we can expect to emerge in the workplace in 10 or 15 years’ time.

His surprising revelation from the vanguard of one of the world’s biggest computing businesses? The future is people, not technology.

For Brian the future of technology – its role and what we want it to do – relies on people. Not just of its inventors but its users as it will evolve to suit our needs and as such, is moulded by the way we work.

Remaining firmly in the future were Alison Maitland and Peter Thompson, authors of the inspirational book, Futurework.

They explored the drivers behind the changing dynamics of the workplace.

Demographics are one. More women are working than ever before while men are taking on more domestic and family-based roles. We’re also living and working longer.

Then it’s globalisation. We need to continually find ways of reducing costs while raising productivity and retaining the best talent in the industry, regardless of where they’re from.

Peter himself then honed in on the issue of organisational culture, broadly identifying two types – command and control or autonomy. In his view within most workplaces there is a much greater desire for autonomy even if people feel reluctant to call for it.

The critical factor in determining whether people can work autonomously is simply trust.

Of the many ingredients necessary to generate mutual trust in an organisation, there was one in particular which resonated with me for having a clear synergy with a guiding principle of workplace design: treat people as individuals.

One size doesn’t fit all neither culturally nor in the workplace. 

We are hoping Peter will speak at the next Worktech Manchester event in June 2012 so you will be able to hear his thoughts on the future of work for your self. Contact me if you would like to reserve a place at the conference.