In a Time of Uncertainty, It is Important to Reskill Your Workforce

The pandemic has pushed employees to finish their tasks remotely and increased their necessity to build and improve communication skills through digital platforms, changing how businesses operate. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2018 study found that 50% of jobs ran the risk of greatly changing or becoming obsolete, and COVID-19 just increases the possibility. This phenomenon gives new challenges and reskilling employees is the right thing to do in order to stay relevant.

Even before COVID-19, revolutions in technologies, consumer preferences, and business models have affected the global workforce. The pandemic has accelerated and intensified this and is forcing leaders to shift their organization’s crisis operations while fundamentally redesigning strategies and business models.

The changes brought about by uncertain times are not only disrupting the present but will set a new normal in how our businesses operate. In order to overcome this challenge, companies should start developing a strategy that improves employees’ digital, cognitive, social, emotional, adaptability, and resilience. Here are the four important skill areas to strengthen your workforce for future disruptions.

Expand the Ability to Operate in a Fully Digital Environment

Basic digital skills will enable employees to maintain seamless contact with their workplace's ecosystem such as clients, partners, suppliers, and public authorities. This skill also gives employees a basic understanding of critical technology, data concepts, and processes including data visualization, machine learning, and advanced analytics.

Develop Cognitive Skills for Innovation

Challenges in a new environment can be tackled with improved problem-solving skills, creativity, and innovation. In an increasingly autonomous work environment, the increase in remote work requires managers to identify what employees are capable of and demonstrate these skills to help them adapt and learn the new technology.

Ensure Effective Collaboration by Strengthening Social and Emotional Skills

In a time where almost every interaction is limited by distance, employees still have to cultivate social and emotional skills to develop a good relationship with clients or customers. Through digital communication tools, employees have to maintain professional ties through advanced communication and interpersonal skills.

Build Adaptability and Resilience

Employees need support to build self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-reliance in order to use new experiences as a source of learning and building resilience. By developing their ability to manage time, boundaries, and mental wellness, employees can adapt to the new environment easily once their jobs become automated.

Uncertain times accelerate a trend in workplace dynamics that’s already in motion through automation, AI, shifting marketplaces, and changing workplace roles. To thrive after this challenging environment, leaders should pursue a broad reskilling agenda that develops employee’s digital expertise and practical skills to ensure success. Visit https://telkomseliot.com and find out how you can emerge from the times of uncertainty stronger than ever.