“Lockdown generation” is changing the post-pandemic world
Pandemic with its harsh lockdowns is almost over, but it definitely left a lasting mark on the way we do things around here. It infected not only our health and overall well-being, but also the perception of the world and our workplace. The “lockdown generation” or “Covid-19 generation” that has been hit the hardest by the pandemic, already proves that both labor market and the economy are being deeply changed via new technologies.
In the middle of pandemic Association of Business Service Leaders (ABSL) in cooperation with its Strategic Partners – the Adecco Group and Colliers – published a report “Year of critical changes”. Managers, economists, psychology and sociology experts, they all analyzed smallest changes caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and its impact on the psyche and behavior of young employees in various industries. The report was an attempt to answer the following question: how critical will covid-19 be for life in general and how will work and economy patterns change afterwards?
Pandemic creates responsibility for others
According to a study by Delloitte, “the pandemic has created a sense of responsibility for others among millennials and Gen Z, which from a business perspective can have a positive effect. In the long term, the “lockdown generation” may feel more responsible for the organization and its customers than older employees. The pandemic has also strengthened young people’s need to support small and local businesses”.
Flexibility and open-mindedness as a must have in new work models
The pandemic crises requires both sides – employee and employer- to be flexible and open-minded in all job areas. According to experts, this forces the creation of a new work ecosystem, which: “must move towards a network of connected places – adapted to the needs of individual and teamwork – including a traditional office, home and alternative spaces (public places such as libraries, cafes, etc., working spaces or other places to work available in the on-demand formula)”. There is just one basic rule – all of these must be equipped with high-speed internet.
The post-pandemic labor market
The pandemic accelerated the already ongoing processes of digital transformation of global economy. The result is an extremely fast digital enablement that both organizations and employees must undergo. According to the authors of the Report, the nearest future will be all about upskilling (raising qualifications), and reskilling (acquiring new competencies). Only by doing so, companies and organizations will be able to adapt to the digital transformation. “Almost 40% of the skills and knowledge that employees have today, will become useless in the next three years,” states the ABSL Report.
New technologies as a game changer
Lockdowns created a lot of turmoil even in the biggest and strongest industries. We all knew instinctively that the only way to overcome emerging problems was to change the daily business routine. Digitization and digital transformation required a lot of willingness on people’s side but also proper tools to introduce changes to the working space.
This is where Aidar can help their clients. Our two solutions Aidar.Skills (a Virtual Reality-based remote knowledge exchange system) and Aidar. Service (an ultimate Augmented Reality support tool that allows company experts and managers to remotely assist employees) empower companies to elevate their business to a whole new digital level. Our solutions kept plants and machines up-and-running without full staff being present on-site due to pandemic restrictions.
For some, the bad news is that nothing is going to be as it was before the pandemic. They see it as a threat. Companies must dynamically change and introduce new solutions and tools to keep up in this global economic race. For others, the good news is that nothing is going to be as it was before the pandemic. Those are seeking for chances that will come with the change. For both, there is no other way then to go forward. And forward means new technologies.
You can read more about this work (r)evolution in the report “Year of critical changes” prepared by the Association of Business Service Leaders (ABSL) in cooperation with the Adecco Group and Colliers.
