The World is Changing - And So Will Your Job

There are many changes happening in the business world.  I am not sure I grasp what all of it means, and I am trying to not have my head in the sand.  The small things matter, but can easily be overlooked.

How people will earn their living is going to be disrupted and more and more people will become self-employed consultants.  Many will thrive in this environment, but having worked as a solopreneur for nearly a decade, I am also aware that some will not be prepared for all that goes with self-employment. 

My own industry, the meetings business, is going to undergo disruptions.  Speakers are going to be directly impacted, as what audiences want is different than it was just a few short years ago.  Meeting organizers are seeking ways to shake up the traditional meeting formats.  The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) recently held a conference called XDP that was an attempt at redesigning production and participation at a live event. 

Speakers need to be more interactive, as audiences of today appreciate being involved in the presentation.  Speech times are also shorter, so to really connect with people the speaker must have wicked good presentation skills.  Content has to be stronger, but content alone belongs in a white paper, not on stage.  The mix necessary to survive as a speaker will start to become clear in the next few years, and the trick for me (and my peers) is to be open to changing up topics and how we engage while on stage and off stage.

No matter what you do for a living, you need to be looking for what is happening in your industry and how the "new-new" will impact how you do your job. The world is changing, and I fear many will be left behind.  The baby boomers will most likely not be impacted too much, but those of us who are under age 55 need to be ready for some interesting times in the next 25 years.  

I have no answers, but I clearly see the questions.  I am optimistic that I will figure out a way to navigate the future, but I am worried that it will not be easy.  

Have A Great Day

thom singer 

Go Ahead, Judge Me - But Then Give Me A Chance

People judge others.  We all do it.  It is wired into our DNA.  Four thousand years ago if someone walked into your village you needed to be able to quickly decide if they were friend or foe, as a foe could kill you in your sleep.  Thus, we size people up within moments of meeting them, and it is hard to shift that opinion.

Yet we live in a complex world and it is a good idea to realize that when we make snap decisions they are not always right, and when we label and people too fast (in a negative way) we can limit the results that come from knowing another person.  When we dismiss the value of another, we might sell short our own opportunities.

All opportunities come from people, and thus we need each other. I try hard to let people show me more about who they are and what they do before I let a first impression become my permanent opinion.  By giving people a chance there is some risk that they can disappoint, and many decide it is not worth taking a chance.  I disagree, as there is also a chance they can become an amazing friend and supporter.  I want and need more friends and supporters, so I will always let someone prove they have value before determining they are not worthy.

Have A Great Day

thom singer