Workplace Trends: Are you ready for the future?

This is the fourth in a series of blog posts looking at workplace trends and how you can best position yourself for advancement. The trends have been identified by Catalyst Canada in their paper Workplace Trends: Today’s Decisions, Tomorrow’s Successes. The full report is available for download by Catalyst members. Non-Catalyst members are able to view a description of the report only.

In order to prepare for your success you must have an understanding of what the future looks like in the workplace. Catalyst experts have identified six trends that will affect the workplace in the future.  Last week we looked at Operating in a 24/7 Business Culture. We will explore each of these trends and provide you with information you can use to plan your future advancement in the workplace.

Trend 4 - A Customizable Life

We have the ability to customize just about everything in our lives today. We can personalize our desktop pictures on our computers, add any song we like as our ringtone on our cellphones and send personalized electronic cards to our friends. So how long will be it until we can expect to be able to customize our own careers?

Companies are already starting to recognize the need to allow employees to add their own individual specifications to their employment contracts. Just as employers are increasing their demand for talent, the expectations of future employees are rising as well. Employees want more flexibility around hours of work, time spent in the office, what benefits they receive and vacation time, just to mention a few key areas.

Where does this leave you as a woman working in this changing world? How do you set yourself up to be successful in this new customized workplace?

• As companies start to change policies and programs to accommodate employees’ need for a customized workplace think about what you truly value in the workplace and what changes you would make given the opportunity. Maybe you would work more days from home, choose a location to work that requires less travel time or enjoy the flexibility to start your day earlier or later.
• Look at what other companies are offering in the way of a more customized work environment. Today’s companies are no longer focusing solely on salary as their primary draw for the best and the brightest talent.
 
As employers become more aware of the trends and the shifts that will have to take place for success, you will be better positioned to take advantage of this different work environment if you put well thought out strategies into your everyday work life.

In the New Year we will explore the fifth trend: Overcoming Cultural Barriers. Next week, we will have a look at adding career resolutions to your New Year’s Resolution List.

I wish everyone a very happy holiday season.