future

the wsj reports that employers remain reluctant to hiring. many companies state meager consumer spending as the main cause for their despondence. according to a blue chip ceo, “hiring is a chicken and egg dilemma” indicating that new jobs have to be created to spur consumption and encourage companies to employ new staff. however, the announced us government’s assistance has provided a little spurt of hope. temporary staffing firms are continuously experiencing good growth in the us, suggesting that job hunters are increasingly considering alternatives.

Some of the big IT trends turn out to also be the biggest risks concerning IT security in 2010:

1. credit card data
The loss of customer data will always imply a loss of confidence in the company.
Until now data is mainly protected by firewalls, but while hacker are becoming smarter, security features for data also need to improve.

2. social media
The simpler and faster information spreads online, the more harm it can do. In addition information can hardly be taken back once it’s out in the web.

3. cloud computing
Outsourcing data, next to all its merits, also involves a loss of confidentiality, integrity and availability of possibly sensitive data.

4. smartphones and PDA’s
More and more people using e.g. smartphones for business as well as private concerns, but at the same time handheld devices are not as well equipped with security features as the regular desktop computer.

Are there any points you would like to add to this list?
Go for it and share your opinion!

brian solis’s conversation prism portrays how comprehensive the social web has become and how wide the conversations range that define it:

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brian solis is a digital analyst, sociologist, and futurist. he’s recognized widely as one of the most prominent thought leaders in social media.

In December 2009 the Max-Planck-Association and the European Academy for Women in Politics and Economics (Europäische Akademie für Frauen in Politik und Wirtschaft) invited people from politics, commerce and science to a conference on the topic “Between Science and Fiction-Society and Gender 2030”.
The major questions related to the work environment were:
Who will be working in what field in 2030? How will content, requirements and qualifications change? And: Will there be sufficient jobs for everyone or even too many?

In the end the participants agreed on 4 possible scenarios what our working environment will look like.

Work will be more:

- flexible:
Flexible working hours, more people working in freelance positions, switching between full-time and part-time jobs, more business trips, staying mobile regarding times as well as the places you are working at.

- exhausting:
Technological change itself is leading to a fast pace and challenging work environment. Furthermore the need for employers being all time approachable will grow stronger.

- qualified:
Lifelong learning will be a definite requirement. The labour market will further divide in unqualified personnel having few chances and skilled personnel in demand.

- female:
Studies show that women in leading position or management boards can only be helpful for the company’s success. More and more companies as well as governments will follow this example.

What is your opinion on this?
Do you already see those changes happen?

Based on: http://www.sueddeutsche.de/jobkarriere/479/501732/text/

this post by the daily beast presents a somewhat more critical view of todays flexible working environment:

welcome to the age of gigocracy

“no one i know has a job anymore. they’ve got gigs. gigs: a bunch of free-floating projects, consultancies, and part-time bits and pieces they try and stitch together to make what they refer to wryly as “the nut”—the sum that allows them to hang on to the apartment, the health-care policy, the baby sitter, and the school fees…”

this is an interesting post by the wsj about what experts predict the requirements for professionals will be for landing jobs of the future. inspiring read.

image by jason schneider

online workspace

virtual project management software like “wizehive” is becoming a new standard thanks to easy-to-use virtual workspace technology that connects remote users across from the world-wide-web. professionals can use virtual project management software to connect with other associates from anywhere a computer or mobile device can connect to the internet.

have a look @ this short youtube tutorial: wizehive

visual economics presents a neat infographic about the state of the 40 hour work week. technology has increased work efficiency and decreased working hours around the world. here’s a look at the average number of hours people are working each week:

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based on a report by research company “fast future” and the u.k. department of business, innovation and skills – fast company casts a glimpse into the future job market. in behalf of fast company, fast future asked a network of futurists to imagine how advancements in science and technology will shape the job market in 2030. while their findings sound somewhat futuristic, fast future ended up with a wide array of “future jobs” – some of which might surprise you:

future jobs: what might you be doing?

fast company compiled a nice list of very interesting business books: “…the works offer fascinating tales of innovation, and you’ll learn everything from the secret underpinning some of the world’s fastest-growing companies to strategies and insights for building a more sustainable society in the wake of the recession.”

(image by fast company)

• “In Cheap We Trust” by Lauren Weber
• “Viral Loop” by Adam L. Penenberg
• “Create Your Own Economy” by Tyler Cowen
• “Bright-Sided” by Barbara Ehrenreich
• “Googled” by Ken Auletta
• “Busted” by Edmund Andrews
• “Change by Design” by Tim Brown
• “Adland” by James Othmer
• “In-N-Out Burger” by Stacy Perman
• “Strategy for Sustainability” by Adam Werbach