We all have high hopes for 2022, but they are tempered by our experiences with 2020 and 2021. Regardless, most of the ripples have subsided, and even the emergence of the Omicron variant in November has been met with less breathless panic. The coming year will usher in a return to normalcy of sorts. The business trends for 2022 will nonetheless be continuations or evolutions of prevailing trends today. Here are the five that may dictate the direction international business will take from here onwards.
Employee Experience
If you thought that the term “hybrid workplace” was overused before, 2022 will give you more of the same. The reason? It works. Most organizations have worked through the initial kinks and remote collaboration apps are now exponentially more sophisticated and practical. Meanwhile, the initial decline in productivity as we familiarized ourselves with these tools has given way to faster, smoother, and more convenient interaction.
Flatter Hierarchy
Workplaces have been tending towards less rigidity for some time now, but the hybrid concept forced a flatter and more accessible interaction framework. Managers discovered that communicating with their subordinates directly was simple, improved adherence, and fostered valuable interpersonal relationships. A return to the old way of doing things makes little sense; this flatter hierarchical structure is here to stay in 2022 and beyond.
Immediately-Actionable Alternatives
In some ways, 2021 has thrown more difficult curveballs at us than 2020. The supply chain crisis still isn’t completely resolved, and as we close out the year and many businesses have discovered how tight invisible bottlenecks actually are. All this serves to illustrate that organizations will have to construct contingencies for every perceivable eventuality, even those that seem exceedingly unlikely. Business trends aside, organizations will look to hire managers who are able to strategize effectively in this regard.
AI Integration and Replacement
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is now embedded in virtually every aspect of our workplaces. The obvious benefits of applying AI in roles that were previously performed by humans are the savings in personnel management and higher productivity, as well as a lower error rate. The lockdowns brought to life a vision of workplaces devoid of human life, and it seems that many corporations liked what they saw. AI uptake is going to increase as companies adopt this technology with more confidence.
Funding
Blockchain technology that powers currencies such as Bitcoin has ushered in a new era of decentralized finance. It also serves to democratize the funding industry, allowing both startups and established businesses to raise capital from big and small investors alike. Consider the implications; whether you are looking for an infusion of cash to expand your operations or are wary of new and more agile competition, these funding trends will likely be the point of genesis.
Are you looking forward to a prosperous new year? Contact me today to discuss the trends you are following and your plans for 2022.
