The Future of the Workplace

Millennials are movin’ on up as Baby Boomers embark on retirement.

More leadership roles are coming available and being filled by this generation as baby boomers hit retirement age.  So what does this mean for the workplace and how is it evolving as new generations take over?  We are finding when it comes to providing print solutions and office technology to businesses, we are catering to a different type of buyer as the workplace is shifting to accommodate the new generational work structure and tech-savvy mindset. 

More than 3.6 million baby boomers are set to retire and more than one-fourth of millennial workers will become managers.  Statistically, Millennials overtake Baby Boomers as America’s largest generation.  According to the US Census Bureau, Millennials, defined as those ages 19-35 in 2016, now number 75.4 million, surpassing the 74.9 million Baby Boomers (age 52-70).  In addition, interestingly enough, Generation X (ages 36-51), is projected to pass the Boomers in population by 2028.

The new generation will become the decision makers and influencers and will fill the leadership gap by flattening corporate hierarchies, empowering others to succeed and forcing companies to an impact on society, rather than just focusing on money.  This millennial generation will become the new buyer for office equipment.  As an office technology organization, it's important to adapt to the evolution of the workplace environment.

Millennials will account for 50% of the workforce by 2020 and 75% by 2025, which means more freelancing, telecommuting, decentralization and mobility, and the necessity for an improved online presence.  The shifting style of work definitely affects our industry in the sense that work professionals see the office work environment and its functionalities much different than previous generations. 

Businesses looking to bring more technology into their workplace must ensure that it integrates seamlessly with the workflow and empowers users, rather than adding complexity that damages the workflow. We are no longer only selling boxes of copiers and printers to businesses; we now have to sell total value solutions to the new generation of buyers that are looking to create a more flexible and productive work environment.  The future workplace must be equipped to allow employees work capabilities both inside and outside of the office.  Mobile capabilities, cloud based programs and electronic document management will become standard offerings for the future workplace model. 

The idea of robotic receptionists, remote conferencing, remote classrooms, smart board technology, automated meeting room management and scheduling are at the forefront of the industry.  These innovations create an even more technological driven work environment that allows the flexibility and technological advancements the new generation of leadership thrive on.