FUTURE OF WORK :
TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Towards a Sustainable Future
By Lee Tze Shiong , Director , Assurance and Transformation & Quality , Nexia TS
With an increasing demand for a green economy and the acceleration in technology adoption , there has never been a more pressing need for businesses and individuals to reposition and reskill in order to adapt to the transforming corporate world .
Rethink Sustainability
The pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges forcing many businesses to rethink and transform current operations as we adjust in this new normal . From remote working , digitising work processes to investing in IT infrastructure – reshaping a future new world of work .
At this significant juncture of change , sustainability should be the core of our recovery plans to change the way forward . While planning is underway , companies must first identify any critical processes or resources in its business risks assessment to examine the level of threats and vulnerabilities that may impact the push towards a digitalised world .
Diversification of Workforce and Talent Shift
Moving in tandem with digital transformation and a growing population , a shift in the demographic profiling of our workforce towards greater diversity is likely to be seen . More homemakers , students or retirees could join the workforce on interim basis especially in some industries that have difficulties in securing adequate manpower to perform tasks .
This is a good phenomenon as a wider distribution of workload amongst the working population can be shared and hopefully , a better work-life balance for all .
The consolation is that some jobs of tomorrow may not be apparent now but will evolve as work and buying habits change over time . This also creates career opportunities for those who are adaptable and willing to learn new skill sets as more job-sharing opportunities will be available .
Digitalisation of Work
Now , work can be carried out anywhere 24 / 7 with the adoption of technological tools such as Microsoft Teams , Zoom , Optical Character Reader , Data Analytics software and more . The use of these tools significantly improves the quality of work performed . For instance , allowing convenient access to data that was once inaccessible that hindered the accountant / auditor from providing insights on risk areas .
When circuit breaker was implemented during the pandemic , the need to work remotely was a wake-up call to many organisations which rushed to invest in technological tools to tide through the crisis . A well laid-out business continuity plan emphasises the need to invest in IT infrastructure instead of relying solely on human capital hence the pre-requisite to a successful business transformation .
The consolation is that some jobs of tomorrow may not be apparent now but will evolve as work and buying habits change over time .