05 Future Working
Technological advances will foster new approaches to flexible,
digital working. At the same time, access to qualified labor
may become more difficult in some markets as requirements
for higher skill levels increase, resulting in a battle for talent.
The labor pool will also evolve due to the growing number of
older workers and highly educated women in the workforce.
These trends will likely continue to drive a growing
decentralization of businesses into networks of autonomous
units. Changes in the ways of working will require companies
to focus more on so-called “soft skills,” interpersonal
skills that dictate how people interact with others. Imagedriven
employer branding around topics like social and
environmental impact will become more important. The
demand for flexible working solutions will drive the industry to
make changes to its technological infrastructure and hence its
work/life balance models.
As the ways of working evolve, how can companies attract,
maintain and develop top talent and future leaders for the
consumer goods and retail industry?