Word-Of-the-Week #898: Innovation
October 21, 2021 by Susan Clarke
Innovation – introducing something new or different.
Did your company have to pivot and innovate to stay afloat? Were you included in making any new decisions or ways to do things differently?
This is the follow up “10 Workplace Trends To Watch For In 2021,” by Carrie Schochet at Forbes, to last week.
The changes brought about by the pandemic will likely have long-lasting impacts on the job market. While technology and processes shifted, I’ve observed that the differences in mindset have been the most profound changes. Going into 2021, here are some trends that I believe you can expect to see:
- Selective Candidates
Despite unemployment levels being higher, recruitment will still be challenging. Candidates are being selective in their job moves, and companies will need to put their best foot forward to demonstrate that they’re an employer of choice. It is also important to approach with a strong initial offer, as many candidates are hesitant to make a move during the pandemic. Many companies may be operating under the assumption that they have the upper hand amid the pandemic, but that is not entirely true, especially for individuals who are currently employed.
- Additional Cybersecurity
There will be an increased need to mitigate cyber risk. With a great percentage of the workforce accessing systems from home, cyber thieves will continue to exploit weaknesses to steal customer data. Ransomware attacks on companies pose a significant threat. These threats will require companies to invest time and resources into cybersecurity. Ensure that individuals working from home have the proper resources and support from IT to ensure they are protected. Investing in a strong IT function has become more important than ever before. An additional best practice is to limit the number of clouds in which you are storing data. While multi-cloud approaches are convenient for storing data, they can also pose a security risk.
- A Lack Of Talent
Certain job functions and industries will continue to see surging demand and difficulty finding talent. As a company that matches talent with businesses, some of the positions that we’ve observed need to be filled include: registered nurses, nursing assistants and personal care aids in health care; customer service agents with call centers; sales professionals in retail; software developers in technology; and drivers and fulfillment specialists in logistics and transportation.
- Local Operations
Expect to see an added emphasis on local production and operations, as opposed to global. The pandemic has had a drastic impact on supply chains, sourcing and sales for those operating on a global level. The added security that local operations provide will be top of mind for many organizations heading into 2021. Shifting operations to a domestic level can also better contribute to the local economy and help on an environmental level as well.
- More Innovation
Innovation will be at the forefront in 2021. The pandemic forced many businesses to pivot and innovate to stay afloat. Yet, some have experienced newfound success because of the changes that they were forced to make. This should lead to an added emphasis on fostering cultures of creativity and innovation. Businesses should encourage creativity and calculated risks in the year 2021. Consumer preferences continue to evolve as people grapple with the effects of the pandemic. I’ve also seen an added emphasis on the importance of leveraging technology and expect that trend to carry into the new year.
As we anticipate future workplace trends, it becomes clear that 2021 will require the workplace as we know it to adapt and change. The year 2020 accelerated innovation and further brought technology to the forefront. We will see a shift in not only day-to-day processes but a change in mindset as well. At the end of the day, the anticipated workplace trends leave companies and employees better suited to face the challenges that lie ahead
This week is all about innovation. Does your company encourage creativity from the staff? Did you find newfound success because of changes that you were forced to make? Do you feel your workplace did a good job of adapting and changing?
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