Make Change: What Does the Future of Work Look Like?

The future of work is coming — and it will change the business world as we know it.

But what does the future of work hold? How can we prepare for it? And beyond that, how can we succeed and thrive in it?

Now, in the newest installment of Salesforce’s Make Change series, hear from 18 C-suite leaders on how they are navigating the future of work and driving change in the world around them. The Make Change series highlights innovative leaders who leverage their platforms to empower their employees and communities.

From hiring practices to breaking down internal silos, top executives at leading businesses such as Citi and Bloomberg are sharing their thoughts on the next era of business.

Watch more here.

For Dan Helfrich, CEO of Deloitte Consulting, it starts at the intersection of society and technology. To keep up with the rapid rate of technological advancements, business leaders must take the lead in re-skilling the workforce.

“People are not used to the intersection of new technology and new societal norms,” Helfrich said. “So business leaders can prepare their workforce by providing the learning that says, ‘Hey, I’m going to invest in your overall tech fluency, and then I’m going to prepare you… not just to be a great member of my particular organization, but for decades of being a positive influential member of the business and social community where you live.’”

Diversity in hiring

This new era also brings new expectations around hiring practices, according to Michael Corbat, the CEO of Citi.

“I think today as we hire people, the expectations are very different,” Corbat said. “When you think of hiring today, you’ve got to make sure that you are engaged with the workforce — where you are finding a workforce that is actually representative of the communities we live and work in.”

“We’re really attacking it by not just recruiting and bringing the right talent in, but making sure that the career pathing and the engagement that we have keeps them in our firm and gives us the ability to continue to promote women and minorities into leadership positions,” he added.

Deirdre Bigley, the CMO of Bloomberg, agrees that an emphasis on diversity is imperative.

“If you don’t believe that diversity is going to drive business, then you’re wrong,” she said. “If you’re going to sit at a table and you’re going to have [the same kinds of people] sitting at that table, you are going to get common thought. And companies who have diversity sitting at that table – diversity of gender, of color — they do better.”

With these changes in the workforce and hiring, companies will start to fundamentally look different in the future.

Create a culture of learning

“We’ve been using the 80/20 type analogy,” said Carlos Brito, CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev. “Companies need to keep what is part of their DNA — the 80 — but the 20 are new muscles that need to be developed. If we do exactly the same things as in the past, the results are not going to be the ones we expect. Offer opportunities for people to upgrade their capabilities. Be very particular when hiring people that we need more people in technology.”

While these shifts will bring the challenges inherent in any period of disruption, they will also bring new opportunities, new potential for companies and employees alike. The future of work will be transformational, but it does not have to be scary. With guided, self-paced learning tools that teach new skills, employees can leverage the power of technology to position themselves to thrive in the coming years.

“It’s so important to include everyone when we think about learning and empowerment to embrace the changes of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Lisa Edwards, EVP at Salesforce. “Salesforce is unlocking talent all over the place. We have a tool that is free to use, and people can use it no matter where they are in the world. They can get online and they can learn skills.”

The future of work is already here, making it all the more important that businesses and their leaders embrace it and all of its possibilities.

“It’s on all of us to think about what impact we’re having on jobs, how we can keep creating new jobs, and keep re-skilling people so they’re able to keep pace with the rapid change of technology,” she said.

Still to come. This spring the Make Change series will highlight executives including: Marco Bizzarri, CEO of Gucci, Lynne Biggar, CMO of Visa and Lara Abrash, CEO, Deloitte & Touche. Join the conversation online using #MakeChangeSeries.