Michael Lissack new breed of industry captains that have learned to artfully balance both transportation and communications to effectively project their presence across their organizations. All of the changes brought about by technology will only increase the pressure on workers to carry the burden of change and adaptation. At a time when a record number of workers have major family responsibilities, the anytime/anyplace office will demand workers to be ready and willing to re- spond on a moment’s notice to consumers, clients, or bosses at any time from any place. New ties between corporations and small businesses mean that more time must be spent managing-and not just managing employees within the same organization playing by the same rules, but also managing workers whose only link to the firm is electronic. As the reach of a company goes beyond borders, technology must not only tie together dispersed people but do it across linguistic and cultural barriers. Finally, the empowered con- sumer will be demanding more service and more choices and feed their own frustrations back to the organization through multiple outlets Technology is enabling organizations to learn about markets quicker and more efficiently, to serve customer and clients better, to extend their reach by finding new markets at home and abroad. But technology will also put more of a burden on workers to manage the higher expectations of consumers and the needs of a dispersed and flexible workforce without clear organizational rules and support. Technology is another element contributing to the uncertain future of businesses and workers alike.
4. Senior citizens have become America’s largest interest group
Seniors are transforming the economy. There are more of this group than ever before. More than half of adults under fifty have gone to college. Their desire for value, quality, service, and responsiveness has turbocharged competition in the American marketplace, and it is increasingly difficult for businesses to satisfy them as customers or workers. Those over seventy-five years old are gaining political clout. The American Association of Retired Persons is the largest and most powerful membership group in the country.
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