The impact of technology, and changing expectations of workers, means companies are far less in control than they used to be. Here are three areas your business will need to consider if you want a thriving workplace of the future. Here are three areas your business will need to consider if you want a thriving workplace of the future.

1. 3 Ways To Future Proof Your
Business
January 2015

2. The impact of technology, and changing expectations of workers,
means companies are far less in control than they used to be. Here
are three areas your business will need to consider if you want a
thriving workplace of the future. Here are three areas your
business will need to consider if you want a thriving workplace of
the future.

3. 1. Employer Brand
Your brand used to be as simple as your logo, what you advertised and
what your website said about you. You controlled the message. A brand
is now intrinsically linked to your people, so the way your employees
speak about you will dictate how your brand is represented.
Social media and employer rating sites, like glassdoor.com, have given
employees a global voice. If you want to project a positive employer
brand, you have no choice but to create a good place to work.

4. 2. Technology
Employees will soon have better technology in their pocket than they do
at work. The Millennials (those born after 1980) will become 75% of the
workforce by 20251; think about how they interact with technology. Will
they want to work in an organisation that is behind the times?
Companies will need to improve the technology in their organisations to
attract the best employees and get the most from them.
1 Source: BPW Foundation's Gen Y study, published April 2011

5. 3. The Workplace Environment
The age of the lifetime employee is ending. Contract and freelance roles
are becoming much more desirable. Companies will need to rethink
their workplaces and replace cubicles or rigid organisational structures
with hot desks and collaborative open spaces. Encourage teams to work
together and foster innovation and creativity.

6. The key challenge of the future will be to have the most creative
and innovative workforce. When asked, very few people say they
get their best ideas at their desk. Think how you can offer
employees more time to work on projects they want to – or even
ideas that may not work – in an effort to foster a culture of
innovation.

7. Whether it’s your brand, your technology or your workplace, you
can’t do much without the right people. To attract and retain the
best people, you’ll need to build a creative environment, provide
the tools your employees need and invest in your internal brand.
This will go a long way in future proofing your business.

8. Written by: Peter Cosgrove, Director, Cpl. Talk to Cpl about finding the best people for the
job.