Five things we learned from IoIC's Future of Work report

A new report from the Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC) looks at trends driving change in our workplaces. Describing them as “food for thought”, the report considers how the trends could affect how organisations will be run in future – and what this means for communicators.

Here are the top five points that got us thinking here at Sequel – you can read the full version of the report on the IoIC website here.

 1. We need to polish our skills

The incredible pace of technological change has had – and will continue to have – a huge impact on organisations, as they reinvent their products, processes and services to embrace digital. That’s no real surprise.

But to really survive, organisations need to ensure their employees are keeping up with the changes and have the skills to thrive with new technology. The World Economic Forum estimates that 54% of people at work will require significant re- and up-skilling by 2022.

 2. It’s going to get really competitive

Thanks to globalisation and global connectivity, we have more choice than ever before. But we’re also facing more global competition than ever before – competition that could harm organisations’ survival.

US innovation consulting firm, Innosight, has predicted that the average lifespan of top organisations will shrink to just 12 years by 2027. In what the report says will be a “fight to survive”, internal communication will be an “organisation’s driving force”.

The report adds: “Just as robust channels of communication are essential to successful military strategy, so an organisation’s ability to facilitate and optimise two-way, information-rich, coherent communication is critical.”

 3. Leaders need to show their conscience

As the world becomes more fast-paced and unstable, people want to know what they’re doing at work actually matters – and that their employers are acting responsibly towards society and the environment.

This is going to be particularly important for leaders. The Edelman Trust Barometer reported that 92% of employees feel it’s important that their CEO speaks out on issues such as ethical use of technology, climate change and diversity.

Internal communicators will have a significant role in coaching leaders on this communication style, and creating feedback loops so employees feel listened to and that their contribution matters.

 4. We’ll be a workforce, but not as we know it

The aftermath of the 2007 global financial collapse led to what Deloitte calls “the Alternative Workforce”. This includes outsourced teams, contractors, freelancers and gig workers.

With multiple think tanks suggesting that, by 2030, more than half of us will be self-employed, this alternative workforce has huge implications for organisations – and of course the internal communicators within them.

The report points out that internal communicators will need to continually nurture these distributed and diverse networks of employees. That way they can “ensure the smooth flow of two-way information, and continued alignment around organisational purpose and goals”.

 5. Climate change will have a significant – if unpredictable – impact 

Climate change poses a threat to life as we know it and the business world is no exception. Consumers and employers are increasingly demanding transparency around organisation’s green credentials, as social stigma around carbon emissions and consumption habits rises.

So what’s the answer? Well, no one has them all yet. But the report suggests that organisations who position themselves as agents of positive change are more likely to survive. “Internal communication professionals have a centre-stage opportunity in this regard,” it adds.