The 2020 Workplace: How Innovative Companies Attract, Develop, and Keep Tomorrow's Employees Today [Hardcover]

Jeanne C. Meister (Author), Karie Willyerd (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 11, 2010

From well-respected human resources and corporate training experts Jeanne C. Meister and Karie Willyerd, a must-read guide to the innovative strategies that the best companies are using to create a workplace that the best talent chooses—both today and in 2020. In The 2020 Workplace, Meister and Willyerd offer a battle plan to start winning tomorrow’s employees today.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The rapid pace of technological evolution has led to a sea change in the workplace. Older workers are staying in the workforce longer, while younger employees are coming in equipped with skills and expectations that set them apart from their predecessors. In order to harness the potential of the Millennial generation, employers are forced to change not just the way they attract and retain talent, but also many of the assumptions they've made about the way markets work. In this in-depth analysis of evolving corporate practices, Millennial expectations, and the future of international business, Meister and Willyerd offer thoughtful tips, the latest in corporate training, and advice for negotiating this new workforce. However, while seemingly targeted at a wide array of people, the information contained in 2020 Workplace will be of use largely to managerial or Human Resources personnel with a specific lack of understanding about the expectations of Millennials. While that's a fine target, readers not in that niche will feel like they're being told something they already know.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

To those corporate executives and managers who’ve naysayed the power and transformational capabilities of Web 2.0, this book is for you––if you’re open to change. To those readers, consultants, and employees already embracing the world of social media, this collection of case histories, significant statistics, and personalized anecdotes will enable you to further the engagement within (and without) your organizations. Regardless, it is clear that author-scholar Meister and former chief learning officer Willyerd have tackled and tamed the tiger of talent. Be aware, within their recitation of the 10 forces shaping the world to the final 10 initiatives HR can spark to achieve the 2020 workplace, is an ever-growing concern that the formerly pooh-poohed death of talent will be real in a decade. Many of their lessons learned are standard operating procedure in professional literature and daily news, like the shifting demographics of the workplace and the demand for corporate social responsibility. --Barbara Jacobs

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperBusiness; 1 edition (May 11, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061763276
• ISBN-13: 978-0061763274
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's always been about talent- now its about getting talent in a changing world May 19, 2010

By Lawrence Peters

Format:Hardcover

Every graduate course I teach begins with an outward look at the changes in the business environment over the past 2-3 decades. It helps students understand the need for change, for responsiveness and adaptiveness, and for leadership. It also frames everything I want to say about creating sustainable effective organizations. Meister and Willyerd's book, The 2020 Workplace, reminds us that part of the changes in the world around us includes the workforce itself, and that we need to consider those changes as we attempt to adapt and adjust our businesses to the dynamics of the business environment.

The 2020 Workplace begins by setting the stage for why the future workplace is going to be different. Advances in social technologies, shifts in demographics, and a global business environment will all affect the workplace of the future. The Millennial generation is a particular focus, since it is expected to be nearly 50% of the workforce in just four years.

In Part II, Meister and Willyerd showcase HR and Learning practices companies are using now to address those shifts. Examples include Deloitte's use of a video contest to help recruiting, internal social networks for collaborative communication at Cerner, several examples of mentoring and microfeedback, and leadership development at Cisco. Part III includes 20 predictions for 2020, such as electing your own leader, and concludes with advice on how to prepare for 2020.

In addition to substantial references to existing material, the authors conducted their own study of over 2200 employees around the world, and their research is presented in an accessible and engaging manner. Their extensive interviews with the featured companies make the book highly practical, and you are sure to get some ideas for use in your own company. The "52 Stories" example from Qualcomm is one that any company could use to help new employees understand and adapt to their culture.

Finally, the glossary is particularly helpful for readers who may not know terms or web resources like crowdsourcing, tagging, and Delicious. Overall, this is a practical and helpful book for HR practitioners who want to prepare their organizations to be ready for tomorrow.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Forecasting Tomorrow's Workforce: Interesting Perspective May 17, 2010

By Brandon Carson

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

"The 2020 Workplace," written by Jeanne Meister and Karie Willyerd, explores the lightning-fast changes occurring in the workplace now and over the next ten years. The book forecasts what managers, leaders, and executives need to know to ensure their business is ready for these changes. Meister and Willyerd skillfully present fascinating stories that provide examples of how people across generations and geographies are using technology, such as the social web, to get their work done. New ideas about management, collaboration, communication, and fostering creativity are presented with practical tips and tricks on how to evolve your organization to be prepared for tomorrow's talent today.

I particularly like how the book offers compelling research and data, but is not seeped in theory alone -- the authors offer suggestions and nice end-of-chapter summaries that are pragmatic and applicable to anyone in HR or management.

Recommendation: Buy it and read it. You may or may not agree with all of their forecasts, but at least you will know what you are facing when recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.

Especially a good read for HR managers, leadership and development people, and executives.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars What does the future really look like? February 13, 2011

By K. A. Allbright

Format:Hardcover

Written by Jeanne C. Meister and Karie Willyerd (2010), "The 2020 Workplace" is a message about generational diversity and gaining competitive advantage through talent management and leadership. Outlining ten forces shaping the future workplace now, Meister and Willyerd (2010) suggest the future of work can be defined as an "office everywhere" where "team members live halfway around the world "(p. 15).

Rich with statistical data and analyses, the information provided bolsters Meister's and Willyerd's (2010) position. Suggesting the work climate has and will continue to change; they mention the specifics of where and how one works will no longer matter provided results are delivered. Central to their argument is that of shifting demographics resulting in a "significant number of workers over 40 comprising the work force", "more women entering and staying in the work force" and "Latinos composition is expected to double to 30% of the US population by 2050" (Meister & Willyerd, 2010, p. 16).

Meister and Willyerd (2010), initially discuss a new type of worker necessary to compete in the future suggesting a "rise in a new segment of workers requiring "tacit skills such as problem solving, judgment, listening, data analysis, relationship building, and collaborating and communication with co-workers" will be needed (p. 20); however, much of their discussion is centered on the Millennial generation. Although an outcry of the "Knowledge Economy", what begins as a conversation about a new breed of employee quickly becomes focused on the generations and the Millennials. While aspects of the ten forces speak to the youngest generation in the workplace - the Millennials - it is as if to say this is the only generation that really matters.

The strength of the book is the research conducted. Sampling working professionals from a range of industries from "admin services to education, financial services, the government, health care, high tech and telecommunications, manufacturing, professional services, and retail", the "Generations@Work - Global Survey - polled more than 2200 members of four generations currently in workforce" (Meister & Willyerd, 2010, p. 60). Key findings suggest there are very defined differences such as those of Boomers and Generation X who seek to balance work with home life; whereas, Millennials integrate work into their personal life (coined "weisure" time) (Meister & Willyerd, 2010, p. 60). While Generational surveys and studies delineate differences, many also point out similarities that exist as a part of the human condition. Meister and Willyerd (2010), suggest that at the core of all member's wishes are those to be "valued, empowered, and engaged at work" (p. 63).

Highly prescriptive the book offers advice and examples of other organizations efforts to help their employees understand generational differences (e.g. L'Oreal's "Valorize Generational Differences" which "showcases the values, myths, and paradoxes of each generation" (Meister & Willyerd, 2010, p. 65). Although Meister & Willyerd (2010), suggest "Thriving in the 2020 workplace will require organizations to understand the various need, expectations, and values of the generations" (p. 67); the lack of individualism somewhat diminishes the message. Highly impersonal the authors discuss strategies for recruiting in the context of beginning recruiting efforts in middle school and high school. Is this cause for parental concern?

Written under the auspice of the workplace in the future as a whole, more disappointing was the discussion around Generational diversity in the first few chapters but seemed to lack the inclusivity of the other generations. Although lacking in some areas, overall the book was highly informative and the sources seemed to be well documented.

The book is a great read and causes one to reflect on not only the challenges but huge technological gains that have been realized in the last thirty years. While a growing area of interest, the reader is of the opinion that social networking has validated the concept of freedom of speech. Meister's and Willyerd's (2010) research serves as a reminder that while it would seem that one can say what they want, organizations would be wise to develop Human Resource strategies and policies reflective of the knowledge economy.