Every so often, the employment landscape takes a significant shift. This can be the result of new technology, changes in workers’ rights and industrial needs. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has been instrumental in disrupting business. As part of the recovery process, economic and political leaders from across the globe have had to deal with The Great Reset. This revolves around the imperative and opportunity for multilateral collaboration, and can – if we embrace the opportunity within this unprecedented moment in time – empower us to not just survive the pandemic but thrive beyond it.
A significant component of The Great Reset is a more responsible, equitable, and sustainable approach to employment. During this post-pandemic period, business leaders need to seriously rethink their protocols. They need to increase career opportunities in a way that considers the current challenges. Importantly, employee recruitment must reflect the imperatives of The Great Reset. This encompasses developing skills, leveraging the revolution and cultivating sustainability.
Developing Skills
A big part of the focus for business leaders during The Great Reset needs to be on skill development. There are significant challenges ahead to meet the core components set out by the World Economic Forum. The career opportunities related to these will only emerge if industries make certain the knowledge and abilities of their staff are fit for purpose. They also have to be proactive in ensuring this skills development becomes a sustainable part of their business culture.
This can start with leaders committing to personal up-skilling. We’re facing a new and challenging era and it’s important to recognize not all those in executive positions have the relevant expertise. That said, following an executive master of business administration (EMBA) course can build on the leadership skills developed throughout a career. From a personal perspective, this can be a route to improve job opportunities. It may ease the transfer to other industries. But it also has operational benefits. Engaging in formal business education presents opportunities for professional networking. This will likely involve peers and leaders from other industries. These connections are a valuable resource for gaining new perspectives. It can also help identify qualified candidates for emerging jobs within companies.
From an internal company perspective, leaders need to focus on skill development programs. Certainly, businesses want to both contribute to the health of this new economic landscape and thrive beyond it. To do so, they must implement training in line with sustainability and ethical goals. This might include working with experts in conscious capitalism fields to train the next generation of managers. One of the core tenets of The Great Reset is building a more equitable space. It is, therefore, imperative for business leaders make career opportunities and progression inclusive. This has to include mentorship programs and adjusting recruitment to cast a wider net. Offering development to those in remote or hybrid roles can also be positive.
Leveraging the Revolution
The World Economic Forum outlined three central components of the Great Reset: the first involves creating conditions for a “stakeholder economy”; the second component includes building in a more “resilient, equitable, and sustainable” way—based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics and the third is to harness the innovations of the fourth industrial revolution in ways beneficial to the public. This digital age and its tools are essential to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and healthy economic landscape. As such, business leaders can and should increase career opportunities by leveraging the digital revolution.
This actually falls in line with the direction of most industries today. Without committing to a transition to digital business models and embracing advanced technologies, businesses are likely to struggle to survive in an ever-changing digital world. Whatever shape the recovery from the pandemic takes, business leaders can best adapt by becoming more technologically agile. This can present opportunities to create new roles within a business related to assisting the transition. Information systems managers can bring tools into the business in the context of the company’s goals. Digital marketing professionals can strategize online messaging for contemporary audiences.
It’s also important to remember tech career opportunities should arise from within. Managers need to train their workers with a view to making them industry leaders in the technological aspects of their roles. Businesses that include remote work as part of their new normal can nurture experts in online collaborative tools. Manufacturers using new forms of automation should provide staff with programming skillsets. In finding new tech tools for businesses, leaders can open doors to creating a skilled and competitive talent base.
Cultivating Sustainability
The Great Reset covers many areas of the political and economic landscape. One of the primary aspects is how every area of our society needs to be more conscious of our environmental and social impact. There is a sense we need to take a more resilient and sustainable approach to our actions. Leaders can forge career opportunities by following this priority.
Consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on a company’s environmental behavior. Leaders who up-skill with a focus on creating values-led strategies will be attractive to consumers. Updating their LinkedIn profiles and resumes to demonstrate their focus on and commitment to sustainability, experience and certifications for relevant courses can open doors to new leadership roles. In our current landscape, sustainability knowledge is a key leadership asset.
Leaders can also create specialist sustainability-focused roles within their organizations. Manufacturers who are committed to expanding into green products will need relevant expertise. This will include employees who can source sustainable materials. They should also be taught to design more environmentally conscious protocols. Indeed, there is a potential role for keeping the business accountable. Employees can perform frequent analyses of processes and behavior to meet sustainability standards. This also helps avoid greenwashing.
Conclusion
The Great Reset is not just a route to a more ethical and environmentally responsible business landscape. It can also open up career opportunities. Focusing on developing and encouraging the relevant skills to thrive in the post-COVID world should be a priority. There is also space for roles that embrace digital technology and specialization in sustainable practices. Our economic recovery won’t be easy, but relevant career shifts can be a positive step forward.
