Page 9 - index
P. 9
RESEARCH, ANALYSIS & TRENDS
Rather than assume that automation will primarily affect
low-skill, low-wage roles, this suggests that even the
highest-paid occupations, including CEO, involve activi-
ties that can be automated. As such, there’s a need to
think less about automating occupations and more
about ‘redefining roles and processes’.
JI redefining work InsetStaying ahead of
metal and chip
Directly related to this is the fact that keeping your
game on in future will require an ahistorical amount of
creativity and innovative thinking.
Similarly, Basecamp, who produce software for distrib-
uted collaboration, have a structure which looks a lot
We will need to differentiate that which only man can do like Automattic’s.
from that which automation may absorb. Yet, research
suggests that creativity and sensing emotions (that And this success isn’t limited to software companies.
which machines cannot closely replicate, yet) consti- Manufacturing company Gore is one of the most suc-
tutes only 4% of work activities across the US economy.
cessful firms in the world. Across its 10 000 employees,
it has only three levels of hierarchy: the CEO (elected
While these figures might be cause for alarm, they are democratically), a handful of functional heads, and eve-
also a call to arms. As automation increases, our focus ryone else.
should be on tasks that utilize creativity and emotion.
Shying away from a command-and-control structure,
Financial advisors, for example, might spend less time current CEO Terri Kelly says: “It’s far better to rely upon
analyzing clients’ financial situations, and more time a broad base of individuals and leaders who share a
understanding their needs and explaining creative op- common set of values and feel personal ownership for
tions. Interior designers could spend less time taking the overall success of the organization. These respon-
measurements, developing illustrations, and ordering sible and empowered individuals will serve as much
materials, and more time developing innovative design better watchdogs than any single, dominant leader or
concepts based on clients’ desires.
bureaucratic structure.”
Bidding hierarchy adieu Yesterday’s workplaces are evolving. Jobs will be at
risk not because of replacement, but because leader-
Critically, new ways of remaining competitive will also ship and management are oblivious of the need to re-
need to influence how we manage. As the advent of shape themselves. The businesses that do not reshape
digital increases competition, the importance of staying themselves and the role definitions of their employees
connected to the market and customer needs will in- run the risk of being beaten by the ones that do. In the
crease. future, companies who respond, restructure, and
evolve will be those who succeed. ◊
An article by Harvard Business Review (‘Hierarchy is
overrated’) suggests that change requires a level of
nimbleness large hierarchies often simply aren’t able to
provide. It also suggests that flatter structures promote
greater levels of innovation.
A case in point? About 20% of the world’s websites are
run on Automattic’s WordPress platform. It’s one of the
most important internet companies, but only employs a
couple of hundred people who all work remotely, with a By Ben Gibbs
highly autonomous flat management structure.
MediaBUZZ Pte Ltd - Independant ePublisher for Asia
Rather than assume that automation will primarily affect
low-skill, low-wage roles, this suggests that even the
highest-paid occupations, including CEO, involve activi-
ties that can be automated. As such, there’s a need to
think less about automating occupations and more
about ‘redefining roles and processes’.
JI redefining work InsetStaying ahead of
metal and chip
Directly related to this is the fact that keeping your
game on in future will require an ahistorical amount of
creativity and innovative thinking.
Similarly, Basecamp, who produce software for distrib-
uted collaboration, have a structure which looks a lot
We will need to differentiate that which only man can do like Automattic’s.
from that which automation may absorb. Yet, research
suggests that creativity and sensing emotions (that And this success isn’t limited to software companies.
which machines cannot closely replicate, yet) consti- Manufacturing company Gore is one of the most suc-
tutes only 4% of work activities across the US economy.
cessful firms in the world. Across its 10 000 employees,
it has only three levels of hierarchy: the CEO (elected
While these figures might be cause for alarm, they are democratically), a handful of functional heads, and eve-
also a call to arms. As automation increases, our focus ryone else.
should be on tasks that utilize creativity and emotion.
Shying away from a command-and-control structure,
Financial advisors, for example, might spend less time current CEO Terri Kelly says: “It’s far better to rely upon
analyzing clients’ financial situations, and more time a broad base of individuals and leaders who share a
understanding their needs and explaining creative op- common set of values and feel personal ownership for
tions. Interior designers could spend less time taking the overall success of the organization. These respon-
measurements, developing illustrations, and ordering sible and empowered individuals will serve as much
materials, and more time developing innovative design better watchdogs than any single, dominant leader or
concepts based on clients’ desires.
bureaucratic structure.”
Bidding hierarchy adieu Yesterday’s workplaces are evolving. Jobs will be at
risk not because of replacement, but because leader-
Critically, new ways of remaining competitive will also ship and management are oblivious of the need to re-
need to influence how we manage. As the advent of shape themselves. The businesses that do not reshape
digital increases competition, the importance of staying themselves and the role definitions of their employees
connected to the market and customer needs will in- run the risk of being beaten by the ones that do. In the
crease. future, companies who respond, restructure, and
evolve will be those who succeed. ◊
An article by Harvard Business Review (‘Hierarchy is
overrated’) suggests that change requires a level of
nimbleness large hierarchies often simply aren’t able to
provide. It also suggests that flatter structures promote
greater levels of innovation.
A case in point? About 20% of the world’s websites are
run on Automattic’s WordPress platform. It’s one of the
most important internet companies, but only employs a
couple of hundred people who all work remotely, with a By Ben Gibbs
highly autonomous flat management structure.
MediaBUZZ Pte Ltd - Independant ePublisher for Asia
