How Will Your Industry Evolve in the Next 5 Years? Top Minds Debate the State—and Future—of Work

Given the rollercoaster of the global stock market, how confident are you in the state of the economy — and your industry?

Every year in our LinkedIn series, "The State of My Industry," we ask some of the world’s best minds in business to tackle that very question with an eye on their industry's biggest threats and newest opportunities. This year, leaders like GM's Mary Barra and restaurateur Mario Batali also dished on their industry's hottest jobs of the future.

YOUR TURN: What’s the biggest threat to your industry today? What does the future of work look like for your industry? What are the jobs to seek — or the ones to flee? Write a post here; be sure to use #MyIndustry somewhere in the body of your piece.

Here are some of the industry predictions we're watching: 

These 10 jobs of the future have one common theme: passion to change the world.

General Motors CEO Mary Barra predicts more changes will disrupt the auto industry in the next five years than it has seen over the past 50. “I’m talking about huge improvements in connectivity, car-sharing, electrification, vehicle safety, even cars that drive themselves,” Barra writes.

“At GM, we don’t fear this kind of disruption – we are working to lead it.” — Mary Barra

From autonomous driving to 3D printing, Barra outlines the 10 jobs that will revolutionize the auto industry — and the world. Are you ready?

Every company needs someone like this working behind the scenes.

"Some jobs are formed more out of innovation than out of necessity," writes restaurateur Mario Batali. Case in point: Elizabeth Meltz, his company’s director of environmental health who helps his 23 restaurants avoid Chipotle-sized PR disasters “that could impact business in a really bad way (remember Jack in the Box's E. coli outbreak back in the 90s? If you don’t, it's because they too have an Elizabeth Meltz who has since turned their company around!)”

Does your company already have an "Elizabeth Meltz"? If not, are you that someone?

It’s time to rebel against billable hours.

If you’re still thinking in terms of billable hours, you’re way behind the times. Billing by the hour is a relic of the “Mad Men” days, according to Tim Williams, the founder of Ignition Consulting Group. Instead, cutting-edge advertising firms are experimenting with charging for the value they create — not the hours they work. 

“The burgeoning pricing revolution in professional services is not coup d’état as much as it is a coup de tête — a slap-to-the-head realization that no reasonable client wants to buy inputs; they want to buy outputs and outcomes. Not efforts and activities, but deliverables and results.” — Tim Williams

What other industries might benefit from this new model of pricing?

The on-demand economy must benefit workers, not just consumers.

When caregivers make $9 an hour and golf caddies earn nearly double, something needs to change, says Care.com CEO Sheila Lirio Marcelo. After all, we're living in a society where the emerging gig economy encourages flexible work — at a cost: “Millions of caregivers, along with all other contingent workers, lack health insurance, retirement savings and other benefits typically connected to employment," the founder writes.

“Whether on-demand companies treat gig workers as employees or not, millions of workers falling outside of the social welfare system will become a problem for everyone.” — Sheila Lirio Marcelo

To create better jobs for everyone, here's what Marcelo says more companies (especially on-demand ones) need to do.

Don’t forget to look outside your industry for inspiration.

For Warby Parker’s Neil Blumenthal, the eyewear industry isn’t filled with competitive threats. Instead, the most serious threat (and inspiration to do better) comes from companies like Amazon and Uber:

“We can order with a click. Why cultivate patience when instant gratification is so easy to obtain?” — Neil Blumenthal

What companies or industries are the biggest source of inspiration for you?

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In the coming weeks, we’ll also hear more industry insights and predictions from leading industry voices in aviation, energy, financial services, hospitality, philanthropy, real estate, recruiting, technology, and more:

CYBERSECURITY: “No Matter Your Industry, It’s Time To Take Cybersecurity Seriously” — Robert Herjavec, Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank, Founder of Herjavec Group

ENTREPRENEURSHIP: “The Way of the Entrepreneur Is Full of Risk — and Unstoppable” — Claire Diaz-Ortiz, early Twitter employee, author, advisor to startups

FINANCIAL SERVICES: “This Is What the Uberization of Financial Services Looks Like” — Elliot S. Weissbluth, CEO at HighTower

TECHNOLOGY: “Industry 4.0: From Smartphone to Smart Factory” — Eric A. Spiegel, President and CEO, Siemens USA

ENERGY: “Why the Energy Industry Needs More Hikers and Weather Forecasters” — Karen Austin, SVP, CIO at PG&E

RECRUITING: “The Robots Are Coming! Are You Ready?” — Inge Geerdens, Entrepreneur, Founder/CEO CVWarehouse

AIRLINES & AVIATION: “Now Is the Time to Modernize our Skies” — Gary Kelly, Chairman, President & CEO at Southwest Airlines

HOSPITALITY: “Want to Get Promoted in the Hospitality Industry? Stay Ahead of These Hiring Trends” — David Kong, President and CEO at Best Western Hotels & Resorts

PHILANTHROPY: “If You Know How to Ask for Money, You Will Have a Job for Life” — Jacki Zehner, CEO Women Moving Millions

Join the conversation: What’s the state (or future) of your industry? What are the hottest jobs of today — and tomorrow? Write a post here; be sure to use #MyIndustry somewhere in the body (not the headline) of your piece.