The Future of (Relocating for) Work
Much has been written about the future of work and the ongoing impact of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems on the workforce. It’s confusing to figure out which projections are realistic and which aren’t. Will empathy-based jobs grow? Will repetitive white collar tasks be automated away? Will AI replace doctors or will it assist doctors, allowing for many more procedures and therefore the need for more specialists?
The only constant amongst all the predictions is that the nature of jobs is changing faster than at any other time we can remember. This evolution of jobs will lead to many opportunities for education and retraining. It will impact the mix of full-time, part-time and on-demand work positions and the structure and administration of their compensation and benefits. The geographic location of jobs will be affected and infrastructure will need to adapt to these changes.
The location, or relocation, of future jobs caught our interest. Again, there are many possible scenarios. Will technology to support remote work mature to allow more workers to work from home? Will cities continue to grow and attract high-value talent, not only for jobs but for culture and community? Jobs that used to be centralized (i.e. at power plants) will be more distributed (i.e., solar installation and maintenance). Jobs that used to require lots of travel (i.e. truck driving) will be replaced with localized jobs (i.e. at distribution and transfer stations). Jobs that use to be nine-to-five will become flexible. Will office hoteling increase… or it will decrease? Will the cost of living in major tech centers drive people back to small towns?
Again, the only guarantee is that there will be lots of change. Many people will relocate to take new or better jobs, to attend educational centers, or to join a community with like interests. This is nothing new, we have been moving for better opportunities since the dawn of time. What is also not new is that moving is stressful, complicated and time-consuming. Before you even get to the dreaded packing and physical move, you need to find a great neighborhood, good schools and services that meet your expectations, and the list of requirements feels never-ending.
What is new are innovative technologies and practices that can be applied to making moving easier. If technology can take the friction out of moving, then more people will succeed in the future of work. That is a laudable goal.
That’s why, when we were introduced to Shyft Moving, we knew we had to take a deep look. By innovating throughout every layer of the moving journey, Shyft has managed to transform the experience of relocation. With services that range from managing your budget, to deciding what assets are worth moving and which aren’t, to carrying out the physical move, and to having a coach help answer all those little questions along the way, Shyft has made moving…dare we say it…enjoyable.
Large corporations recognize the importance of high quality relocations, both for existing employees and new hires. Starting a new job is stressful enough; getting to your first day on the job in a new city can make or break that experience. That is why many companies are recommending their transferees use Shyft.
The future of work is complicated. Getting there doesn’t need to be. That’s why we are excited to be supporting Shyft Moving, and their push to make relocation easy and seamless.
