HCL Technologies is a next-generation global technology company which offers an integrated portfolio of products, solutions and services, the major services offered by the company are Infrastructure Services, Application Services, Business Services, Cloud Services and many other services.

We are at an interesting juncture today, where the world is changing dynamically. The kind of skills needed today are very different. Going forward, humans will start working along with machines. According to McKinsey Global Institute, robots could replace 800 million jobs by 2030. NASSCOM predicts IT sector to lose 6.4 lakh jobs to automation by 2021.

‘Reskilling’ was the hot topic at World Economic Forum 2018 in Davos. At the NASSCOM India Leadership Forum 2018, thought leaders discussed about the need for new skilling, and not just reskilling. All of this points-out in one direction. If we don’t change, we would be out of business soon. However, what we cannot conclude yet is what needs to be focused on, to not just survive, but also to thrive. There are a number of technologies like Cloud, Digital, IOT, Big Data and Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, 3D printing and many more, to focus on. Surprisingly, soft skills are also becoming an important focus area.

We are at an interesting juncture today, where the world is changing dynamically. The kind of skills needed today are very different. Going forward, humans will start working along with machines. According to McKinsey Global Institute, robots could replace 800 million jobs by 2030. NASSCOM predicts IT sector to lose 6.4 lakh jobs to automation by 2021.

‘Reskilling’ was the hot topic at World Economic Forum 2018 in Davos. At the NASSCOM India Leadership Forum 2018, thought leaders discussed about the need for new skilling, and not just reskilling. All of this points-out in one direction. If we don’t change, we would be out of business soon. However, what we cannot conclude yet is what needs to be focused on, to not just survive, but also to thrive. There are a number of technologies like Cloud, Digital, IOT, Big Data and Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, 3D printing and many more, to focus on. Surprisingly, soft skills are also becoming an important focus area.

" In the end, what matters is taking time-out for yourselves, reflecting on the pertinent questions, and addressing the gaps. It is this that will create a successful you"

Steve jobs had once said, ‘the secret of my success is that we have gone to exceptional lengths to hire the best people in the world’. This is even more true now when companies are working on their digital transformation journey, since they will now look forward to hire the best resources. The question then is, what is required to be future ready? I would say, we can start with asking ourselves four questions:

Are you a collaborator?
Deloitte’s human capital trends report talks about the rise of 'network of teams'. The future of the workplace will revolve around getting people together from across the globe to work towards a single goal. Hence, it is imperative to collaborate with all stakeholders and co-create solutions to help grow the business. Building trust, respecting others, listening actively, building your own network are some ways you can demonstrate your collaboration skills.

Can you communicate effectively?
I cannot begin to tell you how important it is to develop this skill. Whether you are a fresher from college joining a corporate or a CEO leading a big corporate, it is extremely critical to learn to communicate effectively to influence your peers, subordinates and your seniors to get things done.

Do you have learning agility?
We cannot point-out to the exact skills required three years from now. While, we can guess what skills will become obsolete, we cannot anticipate what skills would be needed to run the business. Hence, organizations will want employees who can learn faster rather than experts in a technology /tool. Ask yourself, when was the last time you attended a training or learnt something new?

Are you flexible?
In the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, complexity and Ambiguous) world, it is all the more important to be flexible and willing to adapt to the changing needs of the business. Are you willing to step-out of your comfort zone? Are you willing to learn new tools & technologies? In the end, what matters is, taking time-out for yourselves, reflecting on the pertinent questions and addressing the gaps. It is this that will create a successful you.