OREANDA-NEWS. November 26, 2015. In a recent SalesforceLIVE Series Pass, futurist and keynote speaker, Jacob Morgan shared the exciting and inspiring trends shaping the future of work. He shared that the always-connected, social-savvy, app-happy, smartphone-dependent, experienced-millennial workforce is here today, and it is driving the future of the workplace. Not only must business leaders educate themselves about these trends, but they must embrace them, and bring them into their workplace. By weaving future thinking into key decisions every day, according to Morgan, businesses will not only survive the changing workforce, they’ll thrive in it.

In case you missed this webcast, watch the recording here, or check out the free ebook, 5 Ways to Create a Future-Ready Workplace, A Guide for Small Business Leaders, which provides highlights and key takeaways from the webcast.

Here’s a look at the macro trends shaping the future of work, as shared by Jacob Morgan.

1. A Changing Workforce

Over the next 20 years, more than 70 million baby boomers will retire, and the workplace will be dominated by experienced millennials and Generation Z employees. While Millennials and Generation Z have significantly different perspectives and priorities, according to an Adecco report, both expect employers to focus on community, gratification, and feedback.

2. New Behaviors

Social technologies and the collaborative economy have changed the way we communicate, collaborate, and present ourselves to the world. We get into the cars of random people with Uber, share personal information on Facebook, post our entire professional history on LinkedIn, rant and muse on Twitter, and share intimate moments on Instagram. This open social behavior permeates and links our personal and professional lives like never before.

3. Mobile Adoption

Smartphones and connected devices mean employees are available at all hours, and businesses are able to quickly connect with employees and clients all over the world. On the flip side, mobility has removed the traditional 9–5 working mindset and created more cohesive work-life integration, so employees can be responsive from the soccer field or from an exotic vacation destination.

4. Globalization

In many ways, the developed world is becoming a giant, connected city. Language, culture, currency, and location are no longer barriers to doing business across borders. Due to incredible infrastructure advancements, high-speed connections, and inexpensive collaboration apps like Skype and Google Hangouts, employers are able to tap into top talent, and professionals can pursue exciting opportunities, anywhere in the world.

5. Smart Technology

Technology is changing the way the world conducts business, inside and out. With internal social networks, we can stay connected anywhere, anytime, and on any device. With cloud computing, the power of technology is placed into the hands of employees and customers. With wearable devices, we interact with and collect information about how we live and work, and with big data and analytics, we can extrapolate insights that help us become more relevant, useful, engaged, and productive.

These macro trends have resulted in a fast-paced, innovative, worldwide-connected workplace. The good news is there are many ways to make your small business a future-ready workplace. Check out the free ebook, 5 Ways to Create a Future-Ready Workplace, A Guide for Small Business Leaders, by Jacob Morgan. With this ebook, you have the insights to flourish in this future-ready environment.