Be Open. Change is good.

As we move to our new PwC Singapore location at Marina One, I've been reflecting on some of the changes that have taken place over my career.

• When I first started work, I had to vouch documents in windowless rooms for weeks, test check manual general ledger additions with a big adding machine, and hand write all my audit working papers (including using green and red pens for my audit ticks)!
• 24 years ago, I got my first work computer and could send external emails, but an email took half a day to get to my client, and the response took at least half a day to get back to me. 
• When I was promoted to senior accountant, I was excited as I got my own cubicle. Dilbert was cool!
• Artificial intelligence was just something in science fiction movies.

Many years later, the speed of work has accelerated significantly. I suspect many of us Gen X worry whether we can keep up with the speed of change. What is the value we can bring, and will we be able to cope as the ways we work evolve?

Gen X however were the generation which embraced technology and took it to the next level. Many of us were excited that that computers would lead to less paper, but some were concerned that it would lead to job losses.

However, what technology has led to is that people can now do much more meaningful and satisfying work in different ways.

Upon reflection, what are the things I think we should remember?

1. We must embrace change. Change has and will continue to make our lives more enriching. 
2. People are key. As machines take over some of our roles, people will need to continue to acquire new skills. Technical skills will be increasingly more important. However, PwC's 2017 20th CEO survey highlighted that employers are also looking for more people with uniquely human capabilities, such as adaptability, problem-solving, collaborative skills, empathy, creativity and innovation. 
3. The inclusion imperative is ramping up. Inclusiveness skills will continue to become increasingly important for talent development and for businesses to foster growth. Leaders must continue to build inclusive working environments which support all of their people to co-create innovative ideas with their clients, and leverage people of all backgrounds and experience. As technology further disrupts our ways of work, we shouldn't lose sight that people want to work for an organisation where their leaders make the effort to get to know them and what they uniquely bring to their organisation. 

On balance, I'm really looking forward to our new location, new direction as it enables us to better collaborate with our clients and people to co-create innovative solutions! I look forward to welcoming our clients and friends to our new office on 2 January 2018!

By the way, we will be always open, always on at:

7 Straits View, Marina One

East Tower, Level 12

Singapore 018936

Want to find out more about our new location? Click here!

#AlwaysOpenAlwaysOn