Business in a Connected World

White-collar Employment as We’ve Known it is Dead

AUTHOR Steve Bannister

Article 4 in a Series of 6

In the January 2007 issue, Steve Bannister provided an overview of five key trends that will affect people and businesses in the year ahead. These trends were: Global Greening, The Flow of Philanthropy, Connecting the World, Information vs. Knowledge, and The Power of Design

In this issue, Steve analyzes the function of Web 2.0 and it’s relevance in the world of work in Canada and abroad. 

This incredibly connected world will Affect traditional business culture in dramatic ways. The famous business guru, Tom Peters had this to say about the future of traditional employees and business culture in general; “At least 80% of white-collar jobs, as we know them today, will either disappear or be reconfigured beyond recognition—in just the next 15 years. White-collar employment as we’ve known it is dead. Job security as we’ve known it is over.” (Tom Peters, Re-Imagine!, 2003.)