During the pandemic, Brian Solis’ research at Salesforce led him to coin two important trends, the Novel Economy and Generation-Novel, to describe how the pandemic reshaped customer behaviors to set the stage for a hybrid post-COVID 19 economy. Ariba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, cites his research in a new report, “A hybrid workplace for a hybrid workforce: Is your business ready to support Generation Novel?” As coined by digital analyst Brian Solis, those who belong to Generation Novel are…
The Importance of Digital Empathy in a Digital-First World
At CongaConnect, Brian Solis joined Serena Williams as keynote speakers. In his speech, Brian shared lessons from LifeSCALE: How to Live a More Creative, Productive, and Happy Life, for all leaders and employees to thrive in this new hybrid, work from anywhere world. His presentation is available online here [registration may be required]. Presentation Overview While working digitally, it’s easy to forget we’re all human and that what we see on the screen doesn’t always reveal what people are really…
Humanizing AI, Automation, Robotics, and the Future of Business
My friend Rob O’Regan is my editor at CIO. He invited me to participate in a clever video series produced by CIO and Lenovo, Late Night I.T. When he told me that the show would be hosted by Emmy-nominated host, and my good friend, Baratunde Thurston, I jumped in with both feet. Our particular episode focused on the state and future of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and robotics. I was was joined by Anima Anandkumar, Director of Machine Learning Research, NVIDIA and…
Transforming The Employee Experience
In today’s new world of work, we have seen a big increase in the requirement for remote working solutions. But it’s not just about being able to connect remotely. Employees need the technology to enable them thrive, remain productive and engaged. The right tools make the business run better. Industry research shows that those who have enhanced flexibility in how, when, and where they work are 60 to 80 percent more productive than those who lack that flexibility. By enabling…
The Future of Work: Digital, Human and Connected
As the world begins to reopen, Salesforce executives share how it is approaching the future of the office, the technology that facilitates hybrid work, and how putting employees at the center of the equation will create success from anywhere. While many employees now enjoy the flexibility of working from anywhere, many also crave face-to-face connection. Hallway conversations, coffee breaks, and team happy hours are happening virtually. And with the employees’ primary hub for connection – the office – not yet…
Introducing WTF, What’s the Future, a Podcast that Explores the Future of…
In 2019 and early 2020, I worked on plans to launch a new podcast based on the title of my book, What’s the Future of Business (WTF for short). I pre-recorded an entire series and planned on dropping the first season Netflix style. The idea was to surprise everyone with a lineup of shows with amazing guests to binge at will. With LifeSCALE in full swing plus big life changes I was working on at the time, oh yeah, and then…
The Future of Work: New Salesforce Research Reveals How Organizations Should Work in a Post-Pandemic Economy
Salesforce published its first data-driven “Global Stakeholder Series: Future of Work, Now” research visualized using Tableau. The research explores how the COVID-19 pandemic is shaping people’s attitudes about current work environments and their perceptions on the future of work. Employees now expect their employers to employ strategies for positive, long-term change. This research is meant to provide insights into where organizations can reimagine the future of work, now. Research Highlights Working from anywhere is the new norm, but more access to…
Culture 2.0: Why a Digital Culture is a Competitive Advantage
Ah, the days when we could travel for to conferences. I’d like to share one fond memory with you because this topic is only more relevant in a post-pandemic world. I was invited to give a keynote presentation at Social Business Forum X in Milan. The theme of the presentation was the importance of building a digital culture to compete in an era of “digital Darwinism.” At the center of it, is not technology, it’s a renewed human-centered approach to employee…
Forbes: In the Rush to Go All-Digital, Prioritize Employee Experiences
Forbes featured an in-depth piece by Brian Solis about the importance of prioritizing the employee experience for the all-digital, success-from-anywhere world. Companies everywhere are accelerating digital investments in customer experience (CX) – but designing for employee experience (EX) is the next competitive advantage. Engaged and productive employees are instrumental to the success of delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving organizational success. By The Numbers: 93% of executives prioritizing EX report that their teams have the tools and technology to do their…
Rewired for Distractions vs. Rewiring for Intent
Part of me wishes that LifeScale was released in 2020. I know, I know, it’s not the most popular year. But it is the year that we were, en masse, informed about our “social dilemma” and also further thrust into living a digital-first life at work and at home, which basically became the same thing, i.e. WFH, WFHLife, work from home, work from anywhere, remote work, et al. Early in 2020, as lockdowns were in their initial onset (in some…
