The future of work

In my last post, I mentioned the great resignation in an excellently written article by The Wall Street Journal. It’s been months, but hiring managers everywhere are still waiting on their phones. They’ve been told not to worry — the job applicants are coming. Absent workers are just taking some time. You know, checking out their options. As more boomers pass on, millennials will dominate the working class. I’m no longer 25, but most recent college graduates have no intention of working at large corporations into their 30s.

Large firms are a great place to build me resume, but I definitely won’t be working here forever.

Since covid came into our life workers, have had time to think and realize what’s most important. The days of grinding 50–60 hrs in the office are gone or will be soon, and I believe the shift in society is healthy. As an entrepreneur working on multiple projects, I’ve learned that burnout is REAL and that work-life balance is essential for long-term success.

Unfortunately, recruiters struggle to fill jobs while workforce numbers remain stagnant going into the third year of the pandemic. As the workforce numbers decrease, the creator’s economy has opened opportunities for skilled freelancers, contractors, and entrepreneurs to make a living.

Prediction 1.

Work will become a hybrid setup for the majority of workers. Like millions of others, I’ve been working remotely for two years. Members of my network are excited to get back into the office, while some are in no rush. Going into the office does have its pros, but so does working remotely. Firms have realized that employees don’t need to be in the office full-time to get things done.

Companies that decide not to go entirely back to the office will incorporate a hybrid system similar to how most universities do hybrid classes these days. One of the reasons I love working from home is that I get to hang out with my dog, but I can wear whatever I want. Of course, I’m not the only one taking zoom calls in my gym shorts and tube socks.

Prediction 2.

There’s a reason athleisure brands have been killing it over the last 36 months, and I don’t see it changing anytime soon. Athleisure, a type of hybrid clothing, is fabricated clothing typically worn during athletic activities and in other settings, such as at the workplace, school, or other casual or social occasions. I believe the days of wearing suits to the office are gone (unless you work in finance). I work in tech, and if someone shows up to a meeting in a case, big red flag. Employee meeting rooms will be full of brands like Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, and more as athleisure becomes the new norm everywhere.

The development of social media has been pivotal to the rise of the creator economy. And social media has developed into a powerful method of sharing and distributing the content creators produce. With more than 50 million independent content creators, curators, and community builders fueling this new trend, this generation of micro-entrepreneurs is currently valued at $20 billion, with estimations that it could grow to $104.2 billion in markets in 2022.

VCs are promoting a new position called EIR (entrepreneur in residence) that allows micro-entrepreneurs to work in the startup industry while working on a project. The Norm Group will help freelancers and curators start businesses and turn Passion to profit.