2023 predictions: Sunday the new Friday

Don’t doubt me, friends! I’m so ahead of my time that I had a Neil Diamond impersonator singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ at our wedding 14 years ago. 

And, with those rock-solid credentials in place, this is what I’m expecting to see next year:

☁️ Economic reality is going to bite and feel bloody horrible: mortgage interest rates and rents, energy prices, government impotence… 

A non-exec chair with a number of consumer-facing businesses told me that all of the 2023 budget meetings they’ve been to have been brutal—the most optimistic forecasts show zero growth and horrendous staff cuts to protect profits. 

Sorry but let’s get it out of the way.

🐼 Polarisation of working models. The recession won’t push everyone back into offices (sorry if you’re hoping for this). Yes, some employers will use their newfound power (hello Snap) to do things their teams don’t want. But lots of others will see the opportunity to attract good people and entrench in hybrid or remote.

🛠 Those that do entrench, will finally do the work they need to do to make it work. Including:

• Matching hybrid working patterns to their specific workflow

• Tighter boundary settings around time 

• Improved communication flows to deliver higher productivity

🛏 More beds in offices—I’ve been predicting this for a while—and now Elon has caught up. In some cases they will support ‘hardcore’ working. In most others, they will facilitate those travelling long distances to their workplace for a few days at a time. For those considering it, do remember the lawyer we talked to who mentioned the rise in harassment cases since Covid…

🥊 Industrial disputes rising in the private sector as tough times make it increasingly difficult to pay people to stay ahead of inflation. 

💷 Some of those almost 400,000 50+s will be going back to work due to rising costs, but are still selective about their employers (where they can be). And sharing the same desires as younger workers: demanding flexibility, purpose and meaning, and decent terms. 

💃 Lastly, Sunday night will be the new big night out!

Smart employers will be taking note…

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Next week

It’ll be the Christmas round-up with a big dose of joy.

Christine