THE NINE – Phil Simon – “Revolutionary Business Forecast”

A shrewd, perceptive, and easy-to-understand look at the daring new world of employment.

By Phil Simon ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 3, 2023

Economic changes, from the emergence of AI to the decline of 9-to-5 office jobs, will have a major impact on companies and their employees, according to this insightful business analysis. Simon examines nine trends and their complex and often unexpected implications, such as employees being given more power to demand higher wages and better corporate policies from employers; the new normal of working from home and hybrid jobs that take workers away from the watchful eyes of their bosses; the automation and AI that will make business processes more efficient but may lead to job losses; and the rise in inflation due to disrupted supply chains and protectionist policies. The author also looks at blockchain technology that will make real estate transactions, accounting, and background checks more transparent; virtual and augmented reality systems that will be used by surgeons and Walmart to train associates; the increased use of statistical analytics that provide people with more data, much of which is irrelevant or misleading; and the fractional ownership of artworks, office buildings, and executive positions in highly volatile markets. From this overview, Simon provides some useful advice, encouraging business leaders to “Steer Into the Skid” of change by embracing new technology and accommodating workers’ preferences. He also offers a vivid description of the tech sector, such as Uber’s adoption of robotic processing automation to handle its accounts payable system. His writing style is witty and easy to understand, making this potentially dry material engaging. (“No one likes getting their teeth scraped, but the benefits of regular cleanings far exceed their costs. Does the same principle apply when you sit down with your boss to review your performance over the past year? In general, no. With rare exceptions, annual performance reviews…never really and consistently accomplished their stated goals: motivating employees and changing their behavior.”) This book provides a wealth of thought-provoking material for both employers and employees.

Pub Date: April 3, 2023
ISBN: 9798985814774

Page Count: 284
Publisher: Racket Publishing

Review Posted Online: June 30, 2023