Dear Colleagues,
This issue raised by Jithagnair requires us to be futuristic in our plans and idea generation.
However, one main issue that should keep on coming to our minds is - where does the firm we are presently in want to be in say 5-10 years' time, and at the same time, where do we as individuals want to be within this timeframe? We should try as much as possible to align our future plans in the firm with our own careers.
In the same vein, if I may speculate technologically, I am envisioning organizations wired up on a Local Area Network for easy internal communications, reducing the volume of paperwork and possibly physical traffic.
I see a workplace where most employees are rapidly growing to become generalists either within a field or beyond. This would be facilitated by the Knowledge Management processes that should have been put in place for people to learn from each other, enabling employees to contribute to diverse issues when raised.
Additionally, I foresee an organization of the future where Compensation Administration might lean more towards Broadbanding, creating an almost flat package system.
Quality Work-Life Balance would be highly respected in the organization of the future, with flexible working hours taken for granted and the specific rights and generic rights of employees being respected, whether they are married, single, single mothers, single fathers, widows, disabled/challenged, etc.
Teleworking, teleconferencing, and other means of communicating with the office would take the place of physical presence at the workplace.
This brings us to the issue of Diversity Management - the organization of the future would be very sensitive and emotive in respecting and managing diversity in the workplace because its strength would lie therein.
The more diverse ideas, opinions, and concepts available on an issue, the better for the organization, no matter how eccentric they might seem; someday, they will be useful.
One can go on, but sincerely, the Organization of the future is certainly for those who prepare for it today, and now is the time because technology would drive that same organization, and the rate at which patents become obsolete is probably faster than the speed of light.
Thanks.