Search Results for: skills

Is anyone really thinking about the future beyond what happens next?

Is anyone really thinking about the future beyond what happens next?

by • Comment, SF, Technology, Wellbeing

I am invited to discussions about AI impacts which focus on the coming weeks and months, but it begs the question, who is thinking about the futureThe conversations around AI at the moment are interesting. Academic. Thought-provoking. Posts on LinkedIn discuss job changes and what the future may look like in theoretical terms. The words ‘streamlined’ and ‘automated’ litter the chats between Executives and CEOs. But that seems to be where consideration ends. We are talking about the future, but the very near future. I am invited to discussions about AI impacts which focus on the coming weeks and months, but it begs the question, who is thinking about the future? (more…)

The world needs amazing leaders like never before. But where are they?

The world needs amazing leaders like never before. But where are they?

by • Business, Comment, Workplace

rapid changes in today’s environment can put even the best leaders under immense strain and cause ripple effects within the organisationDemand for integrity and strength in leadership has never been greater. A wave of quickly evolving AI technologies, combined with geopolitics and other pressures, is increasing this need at an unprecedented pace. The rapid changes in today’s environment can put even the best leaders under immense strain and cause ripple effects within the organisation. In fact, even those changes that are expected to bring efficiency and simplicity like GenAI, translate into confusion, anxiety, and complexity in many situations. According to McKinsey research, a staggering 56 percent of employees report that their leaders are either mildly or highly toxic. Even more concerning, 75 percent of employees identify their boss as the most stressful part of their workday. (more…)

Co-working spaces bring a whole range of benefits for employees and communities

Co-working spaces bring a whole range of benefits for employees and communities

by • Comment, Flexible working, Property, Workplace design

Today’s co-working spaces have evolved into something more powerful – particularly in a world still reshuffling office work practices in the wake of the COVID pandemic.When you think of co-working spaces – where workers from different industries come together to share a convenient workplace – you might picture a group of young freelancers hunched over laptops. But today’s co-working spaces have evolved into something more powerful – particularly in a world still reshuffling office work practices in the wake of the COVID pandemic. As workplaces adapt to new ways of operating, from hybrid to “digital nomadism”, co-working spaces can do more than simply offer flexibility. They can support workers’ wellbeing and work–life balance by enhancing a sense of community, building trust and new friendships, and encouraging continuous learning. (more…)

Future of Work 2025: WEF report sets out the unsurprising but profound changes ahead

Future of Work 2025: WEF report sets out the unsurprising but profound changes ahead

by • Flexible working, News, Workplace

The latest report on the future of work forecasts profound but entirely unsurprising changes for the workplace over the next five yearsThe latest Future of Jobs Report from the World Economic Forum forecasts profound but entirely unsurprising changes across global labour markets over the next five years, as technological breakthroughs, demographic shifts, and the green transition redefine the physical and digital workplace. Drawing on insights from over 1,000 employers, representing more than 14 million workers across 55 economies, the report on the future of work claims that technological change—particularly the rise of generative AI (GenAI)—will be the most powerful driver of workplace transformation by 2030. Broadening digital access is expected to reshape six in ten businesses, followed closely by AI and robotics, which are both forecast to simultaneously create and displace jobs on a massive scale. (more…)

Half of businesses who have made people redundant in favour of AI think they may have messed up

Half of businesses who have made people redundant in favour of AI think they may have messed up

by • AI, News, Technology

A new poll from Orgvue claims that 39 percent of business leaders who have deployed AI in their firms have already made employees redundant. Of those, 55 percent think there's a good chance they made wrong decisions about those redundancies.A new poll from Orgvue claims that 39 percent of business leaders who have deployed AI in their firms have already made employees redundant. Of those, 55 percent think there’s a good chance they made wrong decisions about those redundancies. Orgvue first conducted its international survey of 1,000 C-suite and senior decision makers at medium and large organisations in 2024. This year, the research highlights what Orgvue says is growing caution in deploying artificial intelligence and acknowledgment that businesses need to reskill people to work with the technology. (more…)

AI ushers in the era of the ‘frontier firm’, Microsoft report claims

AI ushers in the era of the ‘frontier firm’, Microsoft report claims

by • AI, News

A new report from Microsoft claims that 2025 will mark a new point in the evolution of work, with organisations across the globe now entering what it calls the age of the 'Frontier Firm' reliant on both AI and humansA new report from Microsoft claims that 2025 will mark a new point in the evolution of work, with organisations across the globe now entering what it calls the age of the ‘Frontier Firm’. The report defines this as a ‘future-facing business model in which a combination of artificial intelligence and human collaboration reshapes work processes and redefines the very structure of enterprises’. The 2025 Work Trend Index, published by Microsoft’s WorkLab, claims to draw on one of the most comprehensive datasets to date, combining insights from 31,000 workers across 31 countries, thousands of Microsoft 365 ‘productivity signals’, and labour market trends derived from LinkedIn’s global data. The report argues that AI is no longer a novel addition to the workplace — it is becoming central to how work is done, who does it, and what organisations can achieve. (more…)

Firms scale back recruitment plans in wake of National Insurance hike

Firms scale back recruitment plans in wake of National Insurance hike

by • News, Workplace

Nearly half of all companies across the UK are scaling back recruitment plans because of the hike in employers’ National Insurance which comes into effect on April 6thNearly half of all companies across the UK are scaling back recruitment plans because of the hike in employers’ National Insurance which comes into effect on April 6th, according to a new poll by Reed. The survey found that 46 per cent of firms said that recruitment decisions would be impacted due to the tax increase, with many reporting that they were already not hiring or postponing recruitment. Reed say the findings demonstrate the negative impact the increase in employer’s NI is having on the labour market, which has already seen vacancies fall for a record period. (more…)

Two thirds of people would like to quit jobs for a more meaningful career

Two thirds of people would like to quit jobs for a more meaningful career

by • News, Wellbeing

The research, published in The Purpose Playbook: Bridging the Gap Between Career Success and Life Fulfilment, explores how lifelong learning and personal growth can help individuals find a more meaningful career.A new report from Tomorrow University claims that two-thirds of professionals say they would quit their jobs for work that better aligns with their sense of purpose, highlighting a growing disconnect between career success and life fulfilment. The research, published in The Purpose Playbook: Bridging the Gap Between Career Success and Life Fulfilment, explores how lifelong learning and personal growth can help individuals find a more meaningful career. (more…)

Five years on and firms are also suffering from the effects of long Covid

Five years on and firms are also suffering from the effects of long Covid

by • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing

Many employers are still struggling with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, five years after the first UK lockdown begaMany employers are still struggling with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, five years after the first UK lockdown began, according to the CIPD. While the pandemic led to significant changes in working practices and an increased focus on employee wellbeing, challenges around productivity and economic inactivity persist. The pandemic brought widespread upheaval, with many people experiencing job losses, business closures, and the loss of loved ones. However, the CIPD argues that it also prompted positive changes in the workplace, including greater flexibility in working arrangements and increased adoption of technology to support collaboration. Despite these developments, many businesses continue to face difficulties, particularly as the cost-of-living crisis and economic uncertainty exacerbate the challenges of workforce engagement and productivity. (more…)

Young women say they need help to escape the trap of insecure work

Young women say they need help to escape the trap of insecure work

by • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing, Workplace

New research from Young Women’s Trust suggests that insecure workers are feeling trapped, disposable, undervalued and unprotectedYoung women are urging employers to improve flexibility, provide more notice of shift rotas and cancellations, and invest in training and skills development for workers on zero-hours and fixed-term contracts – as new research from Young Women’s Trust suggests that insecure workers are feeling trapped, disposable, undervalued and unprotected. Young women are one of the groups most exposed to the challenges of insecure work because they’re more likely to enter the industries that use it. They’re also paid less than men in insecure jobs. On top of this, there’s a ‘sticky floor’ effect whereby young women feel trapped and unable to leave – almost 3 in 10 (27 percent) said that they don’t feel confident enough to move out of insecure work when they want or need to. Many also cited the lack of opportunities to develop their skills leaving them feeling ill equipped to find permanent employment. (more…)

Furniture industry body unveils its plans for growth and government engagement

Furniture industry body unveils its plans for growth and government engagement

by • Furniture, News

The British Furniture Confederation (BFC), the public affairs umbrella body of furniture and beds, furnishings and flooring sector trade associations, has unveiled its new Plan for GrowthThe British Furniture Confederation (BFC), the public affairs umbrella body of furniture and beds, furnishings and flooring sector trade associations, has unveiled its new Plan for Growth. The document supports BFC’s advocacy across four key pillars: skills and education; trade and exports; standards and regulations; and the environment and circular economy. It has been developed over the past few months, evolving from a combination of position papers written by the associations’ executives and a comprehensive survey of their collective members. (more…)

UK Government grants Crown Estate new investment powers to drive growth

UK Government grants Crown Estate new investment powers to drive growth

by • News, Property, Technology

New powers enable the Crown Estate to invest up to £1.5 billion over the next 15 years in sectors such as clean energy, infrastructure, and digital technologiesThe UK government has introduced a new bill to update the Crown Estate Act of 1961 which will grant the Crown Estate new investment powers. Officials claim this will stimulate economic growth and increase returns for taxpayers. According to the government, these new powers enable the Crown Estate to invest up to £1.5 billion over the next 15 years in sectors such as clean energy, infrastructure, and digital technologies. (more…)

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