sculptured the working industries and the way we perceive work. Even more so, after 2 years when the tech industry suffered major layoffs, we expected that 2024 would be the year when we could finally relax and take a break from all of that.
Let’s face it – in the last decades, new technology has taken all of us by surprise. And its impact on the job market cannot be overlooked. With the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), robotics, and other new technology, employers can replace manual labor with machines that can perform the same tasks as humans but with greater efficiency and lower costs.
There is no denying that layoffs are a terrifying but common occurrence for many people. In fact, this concept has been part of the business world for decades. We’ve seen it during the Great Depression in the 1930s, we’ve seen it during the 2008 Financial Crisis, and we’re seeing it now after the effects of the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. But, after all, we’ve experienced times when the global economy has been affected. It’s no surprise many companies were forced to cut jobs.
But in reality, layoffs have far-reaching consequences that affect entire communities, and it only worsens the economy as a whole. So, why is this concept becoming a trend so far? Layoffs were always present in our job environments even before the 2008 financial crisis or the Great Depression in the 1930s. But nowadays, things have changed and it seems like everywhere we look, layoffs are the subject that sits around the corner.
Even more so, the layoffs trend has become a brutal reality for far too many people as we navigate the ever-changing economic landscape. So, what can we do in order to keep our business or team safe from layoffs?
In order to keep your team safe you need to learn how to stay focused and see your company's priorities
As a company owner or a team leader, you need to learn how to create a safe space for everyone. Make sure that your team is always working on relevant tasks and that is working towards a common goal, and not against the company’s targets and main working points. Even more so, layoffs can and are a stressful time for any employee, so, help them understand the process and make sure that they are keeping their calm and are being proactive.
Another important aspect when it comes to making big decisions such as layoffs is to make sure that your team is always noticed and in a good way
As you can expect, if you make sure that your team is always visible and on the right track, you have smaller chances of being afraid of layoffs. You know what is usually said – you need to hire smart people and support them.
So, making your team visible and their good ideas be noticed and taken into consideration is what you should be doing. If digital platforms rule your company, give your employees the opportunity to grow and develop new ideas, and new technology and get their ideas and thoughts out there. This practice will not only benefit you but will also lower the chances of your team getting laid off.
Learn how to manage bad performance
This might seem a normal strategy when it comes to leading a team, but it also plays an important role in the layoffs scenery. You shouldn’t think about your employees who are performing not as expected as your scapegoat. You should instead see in which situations they can perform better and help them find the most suitable and effective position in your company and team. It’s the best thing you can do for the team and for those employees as well. Bad performance can bring down your productivity levels for your entire team, so, try and build a positive and healthy relationship with your team members. Find their most suitable roles in order for the best productive levels.
Digitalization is not what we should be scared of
We shouldn't get scared when we think about the era of digitalization, digital platforms, and so on. Digitalization is part of our lives, whether we like it or not, and not accepting the natural course of things will only worsen the situation. So, instead, we can teach our employees the latest trends and encourage them to pay more attention to how the industry is changing. We can also encourage them to update their knowledge and to take some classes and tailored courses. Also, it can be a good idea to offer them the right environment where they can learn and always stay updated – online courses and training can be a great start.
Automation is here to help us and make our lives easier
We shouldn’t be scared that automation, AI (artificial intelligence), ML (machine learning), and any new technology that comes around can affect us. We should be instead more focused on finding new ways in which we could combine automation, AI (artificial intelligence), and ML (machine learning) in order to become more productive and deliver faster and better solutions. As, team leaders or company owners we shouldn’t scare our employees of the power of automatization or hyper-automation, but prepare them and teach them how they can work towards and with that new technology.
So, in order to keep your team safe and as far away from the layoffs trend, be careful with any detail. The tech and digital industry is always changing, so help your team be up to date with any new technology that might come your way. Remember, continuous learning is always helping, and training and online courses and the taste for new technology will be the key to keeping your team away from layoffs.
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