Category Archives: Book Review

Announcing the Launch of “Future Skills 2030” eBook – Coming June 16th, 2024!

As the dawn of the Fourth Industrial Revolution looms ever closer, we find ourselves standing at the precipice of unprecedented technological advancements. The fusion of physical, digital, and biological worlds is reshaping industries and redefining the very nature of work. In this transformative era, equipping oneself with the right skills is no longer just an advantage—it is a necessity. I am therefore excitement to announce the launch of a revised and updated eBook, “Future Skills 2030” set to be released on June 16th, 2024. This eBook is part of the resource material for my widely popular online course of the same name.

What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by a range of new technologies that are blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres, promises to alter the way we live, work, and interact with one another. From artificial intelligence and machine learning to biotechnology and quantum computing, these innovations are set to revolutionize every facet of our society. As industries evolve, so too must our skills. The future of work will demand a new set of competencies, and it is crucial to stay ahead of the curve.

Introducing “Future Skills 2030: Prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution”

My revised and expanded eBook, “Future Skills 2030: Prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution,” is a concise yet comprehensive guide designed to help individuals and organizations navigate this complex landscape. The eBook compliments and expands on the material covered in the online course.

Key Highlights of the eBook

  1. Understanding the Landscape: The eBook begins with an overview of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, explaining its key components and the transformative impact it is expected to have across various industries. This section sets the stage for understanding why new skills are necessary and what specific changes we can anticipate.
  2. Essential Future Skills: We delve into the specific skills that will be in high demand by 2030. These include:
    • Digital Literacy: Mastery of digital tools and platforms is foundational. From basic coding to advanced data analysis, digital literacy will be a critical skill.
    • Emotional Intelligence: As automation takes over routine tasks, the ability to understand, manage, and effectively express emotions will become increasingly valuable.
    • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: With rapid technological advancements, the ability to think critically and solve complex problems will be indispensable.
    • Creativity and Innovation: The future will belong to those who can think outside the box and drive innovation.
    • Lifelong Learning: The pace of change means that continuous learning and adaptability will be essential for staying relevant.
  3. Practical Steps for Skill Development: The eBook doesn’t just identify the skills needed; it also provides practical steps on how to develop them. This includes recommendations for online courses, workshops, and resources that can help individuals and organizations build these competencies.
  4. Real-World Applications: To illustrate the importance of these skills, we include real-world examples of how they are being applied in various industries. This helps to contextualize the information and show how these skills can lead to tangible career advancements.
  5. Future-Proofing Your Career: The final section offers strategic advice on how to future-proof your career. This involves staying informed about industry trends, continuously upgrading your skillset, and being open to new opportunities.

Why This eBook Matters

In a rapidly changing world, the ability to adapt and thrive is more important than ever. “Future Skills 2030: Prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution” is not just an eBook; along with the online course it is a roadmap for anyone looking to secure their place in the future workforce. Whether you are a student preparing to enter the job market, a professional looking to stay competitive, or an organization aiming to future-proof your workforce, this eBook and course is an invaluable resource.

Save the Date

Mark your calendars for June 16th, 2024, and be sure to download “Future Skills 2030: Prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution.” Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the exciting yet challenging landscape of the future.

For more information and to download the eBook on launch day, visit our website at www.lifeisalaboratory.com Stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the future today!

Breakthrough to Success: The Flywheel or the Doom Loop?

The next lesson from ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins  is that the breakthrough to success is a slow build-up process.  Something like pushing on a heavy flywheel.  If you keep pushing on the flywheel it will slowly build up momentum.  Eventually with enough pushes the flywheel will start spinning on its own and take off.  Collins was researching what made good companies become great companies.  This research does not just apply to organisations.  Most importantly we can also learn lessons from the research to apply in our own lives.

The Flywheel

There is no one single push on the wheel that makes it take off.  Each little push on the flywheel in the right direction helps to build up momentum and leads to breakthrough to success.  In short if you consistently apply each of the concepts discussed in the book then eventually you will reach breakthrough.  Do you remember all the key concepts that we have discussed in this series of articles drawn from the research?  Just to refresh your memory here they are again:

  1. Great leadership – humble with absolute focus and stoic determination to succeed.
  2. Who first then what – get the right people around you (kinda like the no asshole rule!).
  3. Confront the brutal facts – face up to reality and seek out the truth at all times.
  4. Find your hedgehog concept – something you love to do, you are really good at and pays well.
  5. Have a culture of discipline – stay true to your hedgehog concept and say NO often.
  6. Use technology as an accelerator – work out how to apply selected technologies as an accelerator of momentum and not as a creator of momentum.

Keep working on the above concepts with consistency and keep focused and motivated by your vision for the future and push that big flywheel a little every day and eventually it will take off by itself.

The Doom Loop

In contrast to the above steps the Doom Loop is where you demonstrate chronic inconsistency and stray from outside the three circles of your hedgehog concept (below).  The doom loop focuses on posturing and looking good in the short term rather than doing the groundwork that needs to be done for long term success (such as facing up to reality and getting clarity on your hedgehog concept).

Loads to reflect on!

Best wishes,

Tom

P.S. Check out all my online courses here.  Check out Good to Great on Amazon below.  The book was first published in 2001 but is still as relevant as ever today (the fundamentals don’t change!).