Issue #23

January 28st, 2021

The Future of Work?

THIS week’s webinar “The Future of Work?” – Friday January 29nd 4:00PM MST

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9280952495

Our webinar this week is an introduction to a series of weekly seminars on “the future of work”. Join us: share and network, discover and learn.

Work, think, create? In our pursuit of happiness, there are few activities that are as meaningful as what we refer to as our “work”. In fact for many what we do – our work, our job, is what gives meaning to our lives.  When it is gone we feel a profound life-changing loss – rejection! Unemployment insurance, a pension, even a guaranteed income, cannot replace the void. That having been said, imagine the angst, recall yours, when faced with the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” or how did you react when learning that your work was disappearing, relocated to China and/or displaced by technology. Consider – is work itself and the associated economies changing from working/muscle/effort to thinking/brain/know to creating/mind/imagine?

Last week we explored “A New Beginning?” expecting to consider how the pandemic, the “loss” of Trump and “win” of Biden, Brexit, and emerging technologies, are changing expectations. The discussion led quickly to insights on the creation of work and the rise of “entrepreneurship”, and associated viewpoints on whether entrepreneurs are born or made, the ingredients for success, and emerging opportunities. Jacquie offered to assemble this week’s webinar on “The Future of Work?”.  The question mark conveys our uncertainty about the future and even the meaning of work. Join us this Friday for a panel presentation and discussion – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9280952495

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       Comments we received after last week’s webinar focused on the merit of a Guaranteed Annual Income.

• The pro and con arguments for stimulus checks apply to the merit of Guaranteed Annual Income (GAI) cheques for fighting poverty/ wealth inequality. Most people want a job, so the argument goes that $ would be better spent on unemployment benefits and job creation. I’m miffed that the belief persists that doubling the minimum wage in the US from $7.50 to $15/hr. benefits anybody as it cripples small marginal businesses and associated jobs. – Calgary reader
• America became the most powerful country in the world through innovation fueled by the profit motive and entrepreneurial spirit. China discovered that loosening their restrictions making their economy a free market driven by profit motives and driving innovation.  Not sure why we want to go backwards. – New York reader
• We certainly don’t want to be promoting welfare at the expense of job creation. – Edmonton reader
• Some want GAI as a solution which in my mind is just communism that crumbled Russia and everywhere it was tried. Once you start telling folks that they don’t have to work, it spreads like a pandemic across society and suddenly nobody wants to work, and there isn’t enough money to pay everyone to sit and do nothing. I don’t want to work to support those who don’t. – Canadian expat in California
• The larger society problem is that AI is coming to take away lots of basic jobs regardless of what the minimum wage is. What do we do with the 20%+ kids who don’t even graduate from high school and another 20% who have some education but fall into the “Can’t – Won’t” work box? – Chicago reader
• The gradual elimination of brain dead jobs will leave many with nothing to do. – Ottawa reader

Ling Huang

Entrepreneur

Pivoting, continuous discovery and filling the gaps. Yesterday’s expertise, know-how and skillsets are not sufficient for tomorrow’s business environment. Survival is all about self-awareness, resilience; continuing to learn and being ready to pivot while taking care of something close to your heart.

Jacquie Clark

Learning Strategist

As we enter 2021, we are all in the business of learning – new digital skillsets, interacting online, and listening for the new markets as they emerge and thus pivot our business strategies. Preparing youth and adults for the future of work involves: alternative education solutions for school-age children, on-line content curation for adult learners, and soft skills training in Well -Being.

Roy Hendrickson

Evangelist

Sharing my inspirational message on the merits of merging capitalism and social responsibility.  Expecting to fill your mind with more questions than answers. Everything begins with your thinking, which is a result of your conditioning. “Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou

THE FUTURE

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EVENTS

HERE

Anticipated events changing our future. Thank you Jeff

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INFRASTRUCTURE

HERE

Emerging technologies changing our future infrastructure

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WORKPLACE

HERE

Cultivating entrepreneurs in the workplace

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HUMOUR

HERE

How IKEA was invented. Thank you Jesse

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

HERE

 Class presentation and Q&A. Thank you Michael

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LOGISTICS

HERE

Automating end-to-end grocery fulfillment

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ENERGY

HERE

A zero marginal energy cost society – Jeremy Ripkin. Thank you Ling

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CANADA

HERE

Canada’s workforce is not immune to disruption. Thank you Jacquie

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INVESTING

HERE

12 BIG Idea opportunities. Thank you again Jeff

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YOUR AD

SHOULD APPEAR HERE

Contact

Michelle@PerryKinkaide.com

 I invite you to share your perspective HERE  Many are rushing into the future with extraordinary faith in technology for good. Others see technology as an existential threat to mankind. And yet others see an apocalypse and invoke a religious perspective that all of mankind will experience a revelation and with it salvation. Is the near future the beginning of a new beginning or ?

Zoom us this Friday 4pm MST  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9280952495