Focused on the Future In a challenging year, DIF encouraged Victorians to think positively about our capabilities, our strengths and our future across all areas of technology. The 2020 Digital Innovation Festival bought a new spirit of optimism with hundreds of speakers and partners sharing their stories. We encourage everyone to keep the conversations going and explore the future together. DIF On Demand has 52 session focused on the future available now so tune in and be inspired. Read more about this year's DIF2020 Festival DIF On Demand Did you miss part of DIF2020 this year? Well you are in luck! There are over 80 On Demand events online and available for you to watch anytime until 31 Oct! Check out what is going on in Regional Victoria Working from home insights and the 'new normal' AI is the future, so time to further your understanding Featured DIF Event Partner Annually the Pearcey Foundation hosts a series of events for the DIF Festival, bringing together industry, research, government and community sectors to address the big questions about the role of technology in the future of Australia. They also announce the Victorian Pearcey Entrepreneur of the Year and we congratulate the 2020 Awardee, Grant Petty, founder and CEO of Blackmagic Design. Now with DIF On Demand you can catch up on past Pearcey events not just from this year but right from the start of DIF in 2016! 2020 Pearcey Oration John Blackburn AO on Resilience & Preparedness in an Age of Mistrust Imagine the future! We must if we want it to be better than today. Are you an innovator, founder, investor, business operator, professional, student, politician, academic, tradesperson? Whatever your role in society, a better future needs your voice to do a better job of making our nation an integrated community with technology as a vital plank for persistent, adaptive resilience and self-reliance in a post-pandemic century. Hear the 2020 Pearcey Orator, John Blackburn AO, Air Vice-Marshal (Retd) and Chair of The Institute for Integrated Economic Research (IIER), explore the pertinent topic of resilience and the future. Enabling a Resilient Future Pearcey InstituteDIF 2020 Roundtable "Can Australia be a technology-led economy post the 2020 Pandemic?" ask thought leaders from health, gov, industry and academia. High School Hackathon Scienceworks and Pearcey Foundation "How might digital innovations support Victorians to adapt to change?" panel discussion to set the scene for 50 year 9 and 10 students! Cards for the Future DSI Australia and Pearcey Foundation "Want a positive, resilient and inclusive future?" Cards for the Future saw people pitch their idea of what the daily scenario 'thing' was... Upcoming Events Study Melbourne & StartSpace Future Founders Festival 23-27 Sep Australia’s first online startup festival for international students, innovators and founders. Access a free, multi-day event by business leaders and entrepreneurs. Learn business design skills in a series of expert-led workshops, and join a vibrant community of business founders and emerging entrepreneurs. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to start building your future startup career. Register today and get ready to be inspired.
Each month we profile People who make the DIF and Georgina Jerums spoke to Ron Gauci, AIIA CEO, a tech-industry expert to understand the essential role technology has played in ushering us through coronavirus (COVID-19). “The best way for businesses to rebound beyond COVID-19 is for leaders to take the opportunity to find a new way to do things better and smarter, creating a brilliant new experience for customers and staff,” observes Ron Gauci, CEO of the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA). These words go to the very nub of the matter when it comes to how we can rethink workplaces and redefine economies post-pandemic. It’s becoming apparent that Australia’s $130 billion technology sector – which Ron tips could double in value in the next decade provided investment in innovation and skills is prioritised – has played a key role in our pandemic response. First, through the development of the COVIDSafe tracing app, and second, by helping multiple industries migrate to a ‘remote working’ model in numbers never seen before. In the past few months, it’s clear many jobs aren’t as location specific as first thought. Tech giants such as Google and Facebook have even advised most of their employees to work remotely for the rest of 2020, while Twitter has told employees that they can work from home “forever”. This isn’t news to Ron. But helping sectors make the switch to remote working can have teething problems, which is why his organisation, in conjunction with the federal government, recently launched a website, www.australianbusinesscontinuity.com.au. The site offers businesses access to free tools, tech solutions and expertise when it comes to taking their businesses online where possible. “Technology impacts every industry: never in history has that been more prevalent and relevant than now.” - Ron Gauci. “As the COVID-19 situation progressed and self-isolation was being announced, we could see our members (small, medium and large businesses) looking to provide support as they did so well to those affected during the summer bushfires. With the support of the ServiceNow platform and their delivery partner Enable, the website was built and launched within a week. "Since then, we’ve had many more organisations post offers of services, solutions and support that has been provided to tens of thousands of visitors. Given the challenges businesses face at the moment, organisations need to be able to find the right digital solutions quickly and easily: we’re pleased the initiative has had such a positive impact on so many.” Ron isn’t a stranger to leading during challenging periods having been the former CEO of Federation Square, the Melbourne Storm rugby league club and Melbourne Polytechnic as well as holding executive positions at Microsoft and IBM. What, then, are his biggest lessons for our times? “COVID-19 has taught us much about the way we have been and could be working,” Ron says. “We have the technology to work remotely, and, combined with the benefits that come with physically working together, we should be able to leverage the best of both worlds. This will cause organisations to reconsider the costs associated with working spaces and the opportunities associated with flexible working from home from a productivity perspective. “As I’ve always said to my team, even prior to COVID-19, I don’t need to set parameters about where, when or how the job gets done as long as it gets done with the best possible result. This is our opportunity to create a new, better way of working. We’ve learned much during this pandemic about how we work, rest, play and engage: hopefully we’ll take those positive learnings and create a new norm.” The AIIA awards – or iAwards – sponsored by the Victorian Government has been the pinnacle event of the annual Digital Innovation Festival since 2016. AIIA has also come up with a new model called The Biggest Pitch to meet the challenges of 2020. “With COVID-19 having such a devastating impact on small to medium businesses we felt that now more than ever, we needed to provide more support and create more opportunities to showcase innovation,” explains Ron. Judges will be on the lookout for technology that will make a real difference to people’s lives whether personal or in business, says Ron: “What significant difference can your innovation make to our world? Australia has always been a global leader in life-changing innovation; we’re looking for the next innovation heroes.” Do you work in the digital industry? Find out more about the iAwards. Article by Georgina Jerums for the Victorian Connection Originally published 11 June 2020 The Victorian Connection are a content and news site, published by the Victorian Government’s Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. Our stories are for those who want to know more about our state’s people, communities and economy. You can read more articles or stay in touch with us by subscribing to our monthly newsletter or by following us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
If you want to look 20 years into the future look back 40 and see what’s changed. In 1979 we could smoke in the office, unpaid maternity leave was introduced, and Bob Hawke was president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). Hawke foretold some of the recent economic trends such as the growth of service industries to offset the decline in manufacturing jobs and the rapid increase in part-time work. He also said emerging technologies could provide a “release from dull and unimaginative work.” In 2019, the professional services sector has grown substantially to become the largest segment of the Victorian economy, accounting for A$65 billion economic output and over 380,000 employees. Yet niche and advanced manufacturing companies have risen almost 10 per cent in the past three years defying the predictions of doom when Australia stopped making cars. Industry is cyclical, and businesses need to be prepared to adapt to change to benefit from the potential opportunities. Big workforce changes now see one in four workers as a casual and an estimated 36 per cent of Australian jobs face a significant or high risk of automation according to the OECD Employment Outlook 2019. Roles will change over the coming years with job sharing either with an automated tool or with other part-time employees becoming the norm. Businesses and workers will need to restructure and upskill to meet the needs of future of work. So, what will work look like in 2039? A simple way to approach this is to focus on people, process and place. Each present an opportunity to increase productivity if managed well. Here are some tips to help you navigate the future and set yourself, your team and your business up for success. People – work is flexible There are a range of benefits for employees and employers if they look at alternative work arrangements strategically not just as transactional. As the workforce becomes more flexible, your business can scale up during peak periods and keep costs down during slow times by accessing on-demand talent pools. Technological advances are also changing the ways people look for work, become employed and are managed. Online marketplaces like Sidekicker are emerging, allowing workers and employers to take more control over when, where and how working arrangements are made. WePloy helps businesses adapt to the evolving nature of knowledge workers – those who seek transparency, empowerment, and purpose to feel successful which is important as people work to live not live to work. The traditional workforce is changing rapidly with the greatest age range of workers in history. Baby boomers make up 33 per cent of our total labour force. As we live longer so do our productive years but losing knowledgeable workers is a high cost to business as is bringing on new staff. Businesses need to consider how they effectively manage a blended workforce. Millennial and Gen Z workers studied in teams and have the same expectations at the office. There’s an opportunity for part-time work for older workers as coaches where they can mentor younger staff and work on projects with freelance workers together. The ability to work remotely or flexible hours can improve staff morale and help create a healthy workplace. Implementing flexible schedules or workloads when staff need to manage stress, or a mental health condition can help get the best out of everyone. Businesses receive an average return on investment of $2.30 for every $1 they invest in effective workplace mental health strategies, so being proactive can have an impact on your bottom line. Flexibility does need to be balanced with routine and stability as it doesn’t work for everyone. Remember, as a business owner you need to manage pressure to maintain your own mental well-being. Resources provide practical advice and support for small business include Everymind’s government-backed A Head for Business program or Beyond Blue’s mental health guide Headsup. Simple measures can be put in place to make work more fulfilling for yourself and your staff in the changing business environment. Process – work is streamlined Employers can support a better work-life balance for employees by providing appropriate technology to aid with day-to-day tasks. Collaborative tools can streamline communications with your team and help staff feel less overwhelmed. Over the next decade, employees will collaborate in entirely different, immersive ways as new technologies become available and more cost-effective. At present, you might use digital tools including Slack and Skype to collaborate, communicate, recruit or train staff. Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly being adopted for business practices and in the future extended reality (XR) will empower employees more than ever before. Automation may make you think of robots greeting customers at reception, but it’s not that kind of robot. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is the application of technology that allows employees to speed up one aspect of a job, enabling them to focus their efforts on other areas. The benefits eliminate manual errors, reduce lead times, improve service quality and allow businesses to scale up. Already your business can automate personalised emails to follow up leads and keep in touch with clients. The new platforms provide full end-to-end customer engagement, from marketing to account management. The benefits of software-as-a-service (SaaS) or subscription models means all sizes of business can operate seamlessly with regular updates. Platforms also offer support and training to help businesses leverage automation, so your team are upskilling on the job for free. Finance is also ripe for streamlining. Automating your procurement and purchase order processes can save time, improve productivity and avoid costly mistakes. Payment tracking and reminders can keep cashflow positive. Even the ATO is helping streamline business processes with the introduction of Single Touch Payroll (STP), a new way of reporting tax and superannuation. STP-enabled payroll or accounting software can pre-fill PAYG sections of BAS for employers and eliminate potential errors and double handling. It’s important to consider how you will roll out new tools to support employees’ current and future connected ways of working. Understanding what is best for your business is going to be unique to the profile and demographics of your workforce. Automation can be tailored to your specifications and enable your staff to do more value-added activities such as problem-solving and innovative product or service design. By choosing the right technology, staff can become more organised and productive and you can future proof your business. Place – work is mixed By creating a work environment that prioritises work-life balance, employers can save money and maintain a healthier, more productive workforce. Workers who spend two or more hours per day on their commute have a greater tendency to feel unsatisfied. Giving some autonomy to work at home one day a week or work a 9-day fortnight to manage caring responsibilities can provide both improved work-life balance and job satisfaction. Boundaries are important as otherwise staff can feel they have to be available wherever they are so managing expectations and letting them know when to log-off is important. Providing flexible work arrangements equally to roles across the business can lead to improved staff satisfaction. Sales and service teams have always been remote workers with a car or van as their office. New transport mapping tools mean the best routes can be planned without having to return to base at the end of each day you can save costs as well as the environment. Barriers such as the need to access accounting software on a physical server limits opportunity for admin and finance staff. Cloud-based software, laptops, smart devices and low-cost mobile and internet access mean all staff can work remotely without losing productivity. Businesses implementing flexible work practices means less or different office space is needed. As workload fluctuates so does the need for desk space. The cost for small businesses to create and maintain up to date facilities for staff can be a challenge. The modern workforce calls for mixed functionality of open plan, offices, meeting rooms, communal spaces and soundproof areas where employees can escape to when they need to concentrate on independent work. Balancing the needs of introverts and extroverts in a small space is a challenge. Small businesses can reduce operating costs by colocating with others. The boom of coworking spaces sees Melbourne city host to almost half of Australia’s co-working spaces according to research by LaunchVic. Benefits go beyond rent with networking opportunities with regular after-hours business development and social activities. Small businesses often don’t have the resources to run inhouse events so they can take part. Being part of a group can determine how much staff contribute or collaborate with others. Productivity improves with access to a community of professionals and potential partners so the mixed model that a dedicated office that can scale as your business grows is win-win. The future is now In 2019 flexibility is already making a difference to how, when and where we work. The modern workplace requires businesses to rethink how they manage a diverse workforce across a variety of ages, roles and locations. Business owners need to create an open, supportive and productive culture that is flexible enough to manage change and prepare for the future. Interested to learn more? Future jobs events are listed on the Digital Innovation Festival (DIFvic) Online Event Hub or read the DIFVic blog for more about Workplaces of the future and Work skills for the future. This article was originally published on Business Victoria Hub where you can access advice from business leaders and industry experts
There are transformational changes affecting the way we work and the future of work and for girls in particular, this can be anxiety-inducing. Visible female role models are a powerful way to build their confidence and increase their aspirations. Young girls growing up in the 21st century face a unique set of challenges. On a personal level, theyreport they feel pressure to fit in, look good, be cool, be smart, be popular and to be liked on social media. Looking to the future, they are worried about climate change, cost of living and especially jobs. More specifically, young Australians in general, lack confidence about their working futures.According to the FYA (Foundation for Young Australians) report, The New Work Reality, published in 2018, among 18 to 24-year olds looking for work, 28% reported anxiety in the previous year and more than 40% said they were affected by stress. Many young people believe they do not have the appropriate education, vocational or practical experience to gain full-time work. In particular, they are worried about the automation of work and how it will affect their future. These concerns are to some extent, well-founded. The New Work Reality report states that young peoples' perception is supported by the reality that automation is predicted to radically affect 70% of entry level jobs. Entry level positions are particularly at risk with 60% of students being trained in jobs that will be radically changed by automation. In this period of rapid technological change, there are not only career challenges, but also significantopportunities for young Australians. The new work reality One of the key findings of The New Work Reality report is that young people need to develop certain skills to gain full-time employment –- “to take advantage of these opportunities we need to ensure every young person is equipped for a lifetime of learning, diverse ways of working, and the hearts and minds to help build the future.” It's also clear that mental agility and confidence will be critical to success, with the World Economic Forum stating that creativity, critical thinking and complex problem solving, are the top three skills we will need to thrive at work in 2020. Unique challenges for girls There’s no doubt that with the changing future of work, instead of making study and work decisions based on a represent different cultures and industries They have each followed unique career paths and successfully defied gender stereotypes. They are living, breathing examples of women who are valued for their accomplishments and contributions and not just their appearance. When girls see this, it builds their self-esteem, expands their expectations and their awareness of what’s possible. “We believe that when girls see who they can be, it gives them courage and hope for the future and helps them to break down the barriers, limitations and stereotypes they face every day,” says Georgie Ondaatje, CEO and co-founder of EmpowerGirl. “Giving young girls access to female role models across all ages, races, cultures and industries, can fundamentally change what they believe is possible for their own lives. When they can envisage themselves succeeding in a career they love, they’re truly transformed and empowered.” Georgina Ondaatje and Anna May will be part of the Future of Work Day - Thursday 5 September Morning (T)ech session: Empowering Girls Futures