Perhaps those sci-fi programs are right: Asimovs will start tending the garden and pouring coffee on our behalf, cars will start to fly, and everything works through touch. The continuous growth of technologies is embraced by the vast majority. New techs promote speed, efficiency, cost savings, and productivity.

On the other hand, a number of people express their concern. Technologies may also threaten the very jobs that put food on their table and send their kids to school.

But Why Would Companies Do That?
The answer is actually plain and simple: profit. Whether we like it or not, businesses reward their employees in order for them to be motivated to work hard. In the process, they bring in profits and cash flow.

The problem is, humans are prone to sickness, pregnancies, and death. They also desire greener pastures or demand higher salary once commodities go up. Companies are compelled by the government to provide mandatory benefits as well as train them to do their jobs right and better. Employee benefits and training are extra overhead costs for any organization.

This is where technologies come in handy. They don’t tire, they can work 24/7 – 365 days a year, they never complain or demand anything, and they’re easily controlled by mere press of a button. Laptops, tablet PCs, and smart phones now offer mobility that cannot be provided by an office filled with many employees. VoIPs, on the other hand, have features such as Virtual Attendants that tell callers what numbers to press, doing away with telephone operators.

According to CEO Gerhard Gschwandter of Selling Power, in a recent Sales 2.0 conference, by the year 2020 only around 3 million of the 18 million salespeople in the country will remain in their jobs. Over 80 percent will be displaced and replaced by new types of salespeople who use technologies, which automate a lot of sales-driven functions.

What Can You Do?
The reality is indeed harsh, and you are definitely not immune to the power of technology and innovation in terminating people from their respective jobs. And, yes, it’s scary. The good news is they don’t all have to mean you can’t do anything.

One of the first things you should learn is to embrace change – that is, technological change. If you wish to keep your job or find better opportunities, be ready to tackle gadgets and improve your technical know-how. It will also help if you stop seeing those machines as enemies but as allies in increasing your productivity and effectiveness. This way, you don’t end up being one of the easiest to dispense.

Never settle for what you have right now. Enroll in courses and training programs that deal with technologies and how they can be integrated in and to your line of work. Invest in new learning and new skill, especially a technology-oriented one.

With the introduction of a variety of software, hardware, and other hi-tech devices in the workplace, jobs start to evolve – sometimes very fast. But as an employee you need to be a good complement to this change. You also have to evolve.

While there are still jobs for humans, the best ones
are in our CAREER section!