In this presentation, Dr Kristine Dery (Academic Research Affiliate at MIT CISR and Professor of Work, Technology and Innovation at Macquarie Business), discusses research on future-ready enterprises and the importance of creating a workforce that is fit for the digital future.

High-performing organisations are better at linking their vision to practices, focusing on customer needs, and making decisions based on data. To become future-ready, organisations need to digitise work by applying new digital technologies in adaptable and reconfigurable ways. They should also focus on building digital fitness among their employees, encouraging them to constantly learn and improve their digital skills.

Kristine presents case studies of successful companies like CarMax and Rolls-Royce, which have created future-ready workforces by prioritising employee intuition and digital learning. These organisations empower their employees to solve problems creatively and collaborate with customers to uplift skills. Companies that succeed in building future-ready workforces experience significant revenue growth and cost reduction.

To achieve a future-ready workforce, organisations should eliminate work speed bumps, foster a digitally fit culture, and create explicit accountability for workforce development. Kristine’s research emphasises the need for collaboration between IT and HR or learning and development departments to ensure a successful transition to a future-ready workforce.

Key Takeaways:

• Future-ready enterprises are more effective at capturing value from ecosystems, customers, and operations. Companies that empower problem-solving and collaboration between IT and HR see significant revenue growth and cost reduction. Many traditional organisations still have a workforce that is not future-ready.
• Future-ready enterprises focus on linking their vision to organisational practices, customer needs, and data-driven decision-making.
• Digitising work involves applying new digital technologies, making them reconfigurable, and engaging employees with technology. Building digital fitness in employees is essential for innovation and adaptability.