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In 2018, new approaches to learning, communicating and working will continue to transform the business world and management, in particular.

Technology solutions are being applied to almost every business practice, with varying results. Often, technology is the driving force behind new ways of doing business, and with that in mind, the following trends will likely shape the way we manage business in 2018.

More Freelance and Contract Workers

Mobility, not stability, is increasingly defining the labor market, with workers having more control over their working conditions than ever. If they haven’t already, managers and HR personnel have to reconsider the way they address the growing number of employees moving into freelance and contract work. HR-tech can be crucial to helping maintain connections across town or across the world, allowing supervisors to lead their teams through collaboration.

Experts have predicted around 60 percent of companies will use a unified talent management (UTM) solution for their entire workforce by 2020. This year should see a major uptick UTM adoption, as more companies identify the need to embrace a multifaceted workforce.

Self-Directed Micro-Learning

With technology constantly disrupting various aspects of business, employees are hearing the call to continuously expand and update their skill set. Management will still play a vital role in delivering learning that is accessible, useful and readily available. However, traditional learning is becoming outdated, as more companies shift from structured programs, toward small self-directed learning platforms.

Small jolts of internet-based micro-learning can be bolstered through repetition in lessons and tasks, along with being shared via social media.

Furthermore, social connectivity leads to user-generated content and idea sharing, making learning more engaging and participatory. This will result in workplace learning to spread organically in an almost viral manner.

Personalized Employee Engagement

As millennials increasingly enter the workforce alongside baby boomers, the one-size-fits-all approach to management is becoming less and less relevant. Furthermore, people are seeking career opportunities at every age and collaborating more than ever before. Analytics are set to help companies deliver more engaging and personalized career development opportunities that will keep their staff members engaged at work.

Analytics can also uncover gaps in worker productivity, spotlight ways to enhance engagement, identify what motivates staff members and track the overall employment experience. Machine learning algorithms can also be used to cull additional insights from employee surveys, offering managers a more precise reflection of worker opinions, engagement and productivity.

Changing Management Structures

The traditional top-down management structure is quickly becoming a thing of the past, as emerging structures prove to be more versatile and better at facilitating teamwork. As increasing numbers of businesses hire workers across various time zones, working on a number of projects and using various media, organizational structure will develop to support more fluid processes. Matrix structures will take the place of linear hierarchies and staff members will be assessed on how they work together with external and internal networks.

At Action Group Staffing, we stay on top of the latest management trends to better serve our clients. Please contact us today to find out how we can help your company reach its goals.


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