Tag: volatility uncertainty complexity and ambiguity (VUCA)

There is a definite shift happening in the world order, says leading scenario planner and futurist Chantell Ilbury. But she emphasises that it's not just about the fact that it's shifting. What matters is what it’s going to shift to. Ilbury examined the topic of "Trump, South Africa and Your Business: Navigating Uncertainty with Scenario Planning" at a recent event we co-hosted with auditors Nolands and JSE Private Placements.

Thinking Seriously is a three-part series for anyone who suspects their brain might be quietly sabotaging them at work. Starting with thoughts - the architects of our decisions - then moving through emotions and behaviours, this series unpacks the invisible mechanics driving how we think, feel and act in the ambiguous chaos of modern business.

We have all heard the stories of once dominant industry juggernauts fizzling away. They are now left to exist only in the annals of history. At the risk of using cliché examples, who can forget the disappearance of the once ubiquitous Blockbuster DVD shops? Or the collapse of Nokia? At some point in time, Nokia's share of the global cell phone market was close to 50%. How and why would organisations fall so precipitously from such grace?

In this two-part series, I outline the skills that will be required by present-day HR Professionals – for now and into the future. Due to the increasing automated and digitised world in which HR professionals need to serve their stakeholders, as well as the added intricacy of a VUCA environment, all HR professionals will need to upskill and reskill themselves to meet the challenges of this Future World of Work. 

As our societal and economic structures shift in an increasingly VUCA world, it’s more important than ever for businesses to modernise their ways of thinking and ways of working to match and adapt to these changes.

Many entrepreneurs started their businesses with the vision of making a difference in the world. They defined their purpose early on, and very often it wasn’t just about making a profit. However, as businesses mature and new leadership steps in their sense of purpose is lost and they exist purely for the bottom line (profit).

Companies that prioritise their employees’ change journeys during digital transformation projects, such as the remote working initiatives seen in 2020, are less exposed to risk and more likely to realise the return on their investments.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the current business environment can truly be defined as volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) – a constant state of flux. No business is immune to these factors, regardless of size or industry.

Available to pre-order now, The Upside of Down tells remarkable stories of remarkable people and paints a picture of a South Africa very few people dare to imagine. Next time you go to a conference or hire a consultant to be told, ‘We live in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous (VUCA) world,’ leave the room. You are wasting your time.

Each and every working environment is different and this can be challenging to navigate – particularly when different generations have to work together. This is because each generation has its own way of working and typically believes that their way of working is better.