What do you do if automation threatens your career in BPO?

Once upon a time there were storytellers who used to travel from village to town telling stories and singing songs. At the end of the performance people used to give them food, donation, alms and that’s how they sustained themselves. Once recording devices were invented and became popular that profession was more or less wiped out. In its place came technicians who could repair these recording devices. A profession that never existed before. And that’s how economies and technologies are. They destroy and create new jobs. The best way to stay relevant in any industry that has the potential to accommodate automation is to up-skill yourself on these new technologies and emerging skills.

If automation is putting your BPO job at risk, it's essential to adapt and upskill. This means learning new technologies and skills that are in demand, such as data analysis, customer relationship management, or programming. Additionally, consider exploring other industries where your skills are transferable, or even starting your own business. Embrace change and be proactive in preparing for the future job market.

I remember a time when the internet was just becoming a buzzword. There were news articles galore with apocalyptic predictions. - Students would stop learning and researching. They would just search. - Millions would lose their jobs If anything students and researchers have better and wider access to educational material. And the IT and IT services industry has spawned new jobs and are driving forces for both developed and developing economies. You can hear the same fear No getting with the emergence of AI and Gen AI. Jobs will be lost. Students will stop studying. The reality is that these technologies will only augment existing professions and give rise to countless others.

Technologies like IVR (Interactive Voice Response) have been around for sometime now. I’m pretty sure we have all attempted to navigate the complex labyrinth of IVR options for our various services and most of us loath them. So what do we do. We ask to speak to a human. No matter how caring, rude or indifferent, we need validation from another human when we are worried about something that is related to our services. And I don’t think it’s going to change anytime soon. If anything soft skills are going to become more valuable. I think one of those skills is the ability to be accurately perceptive about some else’s needs and requirements.