4 May Characteristics of the Next Society (Every...)

[Paul Terlemezian]

Knowledge crosses borders more easily than money or machines. It will also be more difficult to protect (laws will vary) and to apply (cultural norms will vary.) - Today with industrial era thinking we will try to adapt our knowledge to every law and culture - tomorrow the laws and and cultures will have evolved into more of a homogeneity - unless a compelling competitive differentiation emerges.

 

Ease of acquiring knowledge will increase - it will be available for free to anyone that has the time and access to technology. Having knowledge or a traditional credential will be insufficient. During this recession I heard many an unemployed worker seeking professional certification in an area where they had no experience so they could compete for a job. People who have the experience were too busy to gain the certification. Will this mean that certification implies lack of experience? Perhaps that is good?

 

Failure wll not be eliminated. Having the knowledge is "nice" but even more important (nothing new here) will be the ability to apply the knowledge to create the desired results.

 

For many years I have joked - "Give me 24 hours and Google (or Bing) - and I can learn enough to 'sound' like an expert on the topic of your choice" - most people laugh - no one challenges. Admittedly, I would not want to "act" like an expert - yet. On the other hand - I more recently add to the joke - by saying - "Give me 2 hours and Social Media and I can find an expert on the topic of your choice." This is met with nodding heads of acknowledgement (and depression.) Admittedly, I do not think it will take as long as 2 hours to so.

 

The implications and opportunities for the training industry are significant - if we change the way we think, operate, measure and value what we do.

 

How do you think we should operate and measure? What should the training organization value?