All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer – Philosopher
I’ve seen the Future Of Work. And, I don’t like it. Why? In Portland Oregon, a retail store sells kombucha, a slightly alcoholic green or black tea. Great location. Great storefront. Sure money-maker!
But, why don’t I like it? Look through the store window. Lots of customers are sitting and social distancing at tables trying and sipping kombucha. We decided to go in and partake. Can’t get in. We needed to swipe a card to unlock the door. We get in, look around and can’t find any service person toplace an order. Huh? A customer says: ‘it’s self-serve’. OK. Customers and no help. The entire shop was automated. No workers. Is this the future of bars, restaurants, and retail in COVID time? Maybe. A recent report said 70% of ‘first jobs’ such as retail are automatable.
The retail and hospitality industries are going to be disrupted for a long time:
“The retail industry is faced with the greatest disruption in recent memory: a global pandemic with massive economic impact. Certain aspects of consumerism as we know it are possibly forever changed.” … “Shutter flagships. Empty malls. Cancel orders. Risks of bankruptcy.
The coronavirus has hit the behemoths of the retail world.” … “American department stores, once all-powerful shopping meccas that anchored malls and Main Streets across the country, have been dealt blow after blow in the past decade. J.C. Penney and Sears were upended by hedge funds. Macy’s has been closing stores and cutting corporate staff. Barney’s New York filed for bankruptcy last year.
Story: Do you care about fashion and how you look while you’re working @ home during the COVID pandemic? Probably not. But, your lack of interest to disregard fashion and not purchase the latest has huge ripple impacts on work. First, retail shops will close because of the lack of fashion consumption. Entire design, manufacturing, shipping, and supply chains will stop with rippling consequences across global economies. No consumption. No production. More work disruption throughout the world. Fast fashion suppliers will idle factories throughout Asia. More unemployed.
Work Lesson Earned: Now think of your work, what paradigm shifts do you see? What difficulties do you face? What VUCA struggles, pain, and doubt do you face? Write these down in your Working It Playbook knowing that the challenges are real and as you share them can help other people facing the same VUCA struggles. We have to get up, lean forward, keep going and keep pushing.