Fast Forward: 25 Trends that Change the Way You Do Business

Half way through reading the article, I scrolled to the date to see how recent this article was written, but to my surprise it was written in June 2003. In my opinion, the way the workforce did things 5 years ago is not much different with what the workforce does things now.
1. E-Mail- still the #1 way of corporate communication. Future email systems mentioned sounds a little tedious. Anti-spam systems don't do the job completely (they'll find you!), senders matching a predetermined list takes too much time and seems like email programs will have to be connected in some way. The need for automatic language translation is useful. There are several international companies that communicate daily through email in a different language. I don't think there is a need for unified messaging system.
2. Organized Labor- As much as possible, businesses do not want labor unions for obvious reasons. Still remains the same today
3. Business Goes to Kindergarten- Was it 5 years ago that they realized that high school seniors weren't equipped for college? I think it is great that corporate sponsors are starting young, but kindergarten is a little extreme. Although education is very important, social skills, common sense and experience will get you further.
4. Going Euro- Forget privacy, what is done at work on work property and on work email is the company's business.
5. Companies Won't Sleep- I'm curious to know what companies do this. Depending on size, won't it be a lot cheaper to hire employees in time zones similar to the ones that they cater to? (ex. workforce, electricity)
6. Artificial Intelligence- This will always be an ongoing thing.
7. The Simmering Malaise- Is it safe to assume that this fear is more so common now than before? Employee value still applies.
8. Office Design- Workforce managers and HR should play a key role in office design.
9. Defined Benefit Plans- I completely agree. This still applies
10. Telework Has a Part-Time Future- This is more so common now than it was 5 years ago. I think if you need to monitor those that work at home, you might as well not allow them to do it. If they aren't producing, they aren't working, enough said. Monitoring service is not necessary.
11. Consumer-Driven Health Care Reigns- With the current state of the economy, having consumer-driven health care will be more of a burden to the employees. This hasn't progressed in the last 5 years and I don't think it will in the next.
12. Child Care- Remains the same.
13. Help Wanted: Ten Million Workers- Computers will replace people. Currently there are more people unemployed than employed. This will never happen.
14. Outsourcing- Remains the same.
15. Recruiting Older Workers- Times have changed, I think employers are looking for a younger, more educated workforce.
16. Mergers- I think the reason for M&As is so one company can strenghten their part of the business that is lacking by purchasing/merging one that is successful. There will be a lot more M&As in the coming years.
17. Freelancers and Consultants- Consultants like being consultants because they earn more money working for themselves. Companies like consultants because they aren't employees. Times will definately change when employees are scarce, but as of right now, I don't think it'll happen.
18. Pay for Wellness Performance- Remains the same
19. Spirituality at Work- spirit = "breath" Why don't they just do yoga? I think you should separate work and life.
20. Women at Work- Yes!
21. Skills Shortage- I agree, On going training is necessary for workers to keep up with technology.
22. Security vs. Privacy- I agree, security has gotten more high tech and will continue to.
23. Accounting for People- People should always be a company's biggest asset. People run your business.
24. Universal Health Care- I hope so.
25. The End of HR As We Know It- I agree that a vital part of HR is to help the company grow strategically. HR is easily learned, but having the foundation of business is ingrained.