The 4 izations: Inevitabilities or Predetermineds to 2020

I suggested four “inevitabilities” to 2020 in a recent talk on higher education. Fans of the GBN scenario approach may recall the sorting of drivers into predetermineds and uncertainties – so “predetermineds” would be their parlance.  Key caveat is that this is for the affluent nations (W1 in my parlance). Granted, if they are inevitable, they are obvious, so be nice. Still, sometimes I think it’s useful to see what we are thinking about subjects that we all might think are, well, obvious. So….drawing from the talk, here is how I described the 4 izations:

•  First, digitization is a key enabler of greater virtual collaboration; and what is happening over time, as younger people increasingly enter the workforce, is that virtual work is increasing a “first language” – they are completely comfortable with technology – we did a study for MTV of 12-24 year olds and their key source of stress with technology was that it might be unavailable; for us (older folks), where it’s a second language, we are not quite as comfortable.
• Second, globalization of work means both more competitors as well as more markets; 24-7 teams are increasingly common, which disrupts traditional schedules – we take a conference call with Singapore at 9pm, but maybe we take a two-hour break for a workout or yoga during the traditional 8-5 timeframe. We will face competition from lower-cost competitors, suggesting a need to provide a value-add for our higher costs, but we will also be able to reach the booming emerging market economies more effectively.
• Virtualization: virtual and real increasingly integrated (e.g., showrooming). Showrooming reverses the current approach where we research products online and buy in the store. Instead, we try out products in the store, and then buy them online. The store is designed as a place for customers to try before they buy.
• Personalization: Long tail wags the dog. Work increasingly shifts outside the traditional office and as workers gain control over their space, they’ll want to personalize it. We move away from generic furniture and supplies designed for the huge office complex and have a myriad of different arrangements in varied workspaces, as they come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and locations.

What’s your list look like? Be interested to hear how readers would add/subtract to this list. Andy Hines