The Future of work: The Green World

The Future of work: The Green World

RootsHive campaign 

Morning dear readers,

I recently stumbled upon a campaign, the Future of work, by the RootsHive,  a company geared at bridging the huge gap between the corporate world and the academia.

PwC's four worlds 

Then, I decided to do a little more study, and I came across PwC’s ‘Workforce of the Future’ report which examines four worlds of work in 2030 - the Blue world, the Red world, the Green world and the Yellow world.

The Red world? The world is going to be red with blood? Well, that thought certainly crossed my mind. But no, it’s much more interesting than that.

To address the grey areas of the Future of Work, Stac conducted an interview with the Founder of RootsHive, Micheal O.

Today on the Green world:

The Interview session

Myself:

I am Bibitayo Omidiora, can I meet you please?

RootsHive Founder:

I am Micheal O.

Myself:

Nice to meet you. So why did you start up the RootsHive?

Micheal:

Hmm… Big question, the whole idea behind RootsHive is to reconcile the academia with the Cooperate world in whatever way I can. There is a huge disconnect and we hope to bridge that gap. I should not fail to mention the fact that I used to be with the RootsInMotion, which was a brand helping brand enterprise.

Myself:

This huge disconnect, can you give us a brief explanation about it?

Micheal:

A brief explanation...the objectives of those are different.

Myself:

How so?

Micheal:

In a standard firm, say a real estate related firm, everything they do is summed up to the acquisition of cooperate funds. While the academia is vastly concerned with accumulating ideas. Or sometimes revisiting old ones. Treat it as a situation where practitioners and researchers are not talking. So most times as students when you get off the academia. You discover that you have to rework a whole lot to adjust to the system out there. Thank God some firms have students undergo a 3-month minimum post uni (university) training of some sort and all that.

Myself:

I guess it's a system that has been incorporated into our mindset. One that is difficult to identify. Thank you so much. Now let's get to the meat of the discussion. Why is RootsHive launching "The Future of Work" and why now?

Micheal:

It is a wake-up call. It is going to be an annual event, and I feel every youth out there needs to understand what really is going on.

Myself:

Ok...so is the future of work geared towards only the gig economy or is there more to it?

Note: The Gig economy, from the word gig, simply means a market system, different from the traditional permanent 9-5 positions, where independent workers are contracted for short-term engagements.

Micheal:

Oh there is more to it.

Myself:

Ok..

Micheal:

The gig economy is more of a first response to understanding the future of work. It’s more like a culture moving in circles. Let me explain this.

Myself:

I'm listening.

Micheal:

Before industrialization, there was a gig economy. In the African space, there was a mama alaro, a mama igbale, a mama eleko, and many others, as such, and ultimately there was an iya oloja.

Note: These people are traders and the names given to them are Yoruba appellations.

 Myself:

Hmmm

Micheal:

One could do something and it required a direct contact, but where each operated from was quite far. Then the idea of putting everybody together came up, mind you, they only came together because there was no effective means of communication. Note effective.

Now we seem to have solved that problem. We can communicate with each other from very far distances and make things happen even when we’re miles apart. But we have not solved a major problem. How do we transport goods in no time just like we did communication?

Myself:

Fed ex?

Micheal:

Fed ex does not deliver in no time.

Myself:

Hmm

Micheal:

This here is why the gig economy will be temporary. But it will be pivotal in dictating the culture of the future of work.

Myself:

Are you saying the gig economy will soon die out?

Micheal:

Not necessarily die out, and not soon. It’s just like fashion. The gist is every style is more of a replay of a previous style. It’s just a better version of the old. More like the old being worked upon. If it fades when we choose to make it fade, it will soon come back in no time. And this is why. Every society dictates what next. Most times I like to see the Future of work in the context of culture.

Myself:

Hmm...So I still can't lay my hands on what the future of work is in summary.

Micheal:

Africa seems to be the "lost continent" of the information technologies (IT). The second largest continent is the least computerized, and its more than two score countries have an average telephone density that is an order of magnitude smaller than that of the European Community.

Thank God Nigeria got exposed to tech when it did. And we can say the gig economy can thrive here, with the rapid emergence of co-hubs in Lagos, it is the partnership economy.

Myself:

Companies are going green now. They have for a while, but it’s at a faster pace now. In terms of the future of work, what do you think this really means?

Micheal: I will like to answer this objectively. “Going green” is the phrase referring to corporate and individual action consciously taken to curb the harmful effects on the environment through consumer habits and lifestyles. Recently, attention has been focused on the built environment, interior spaces to be precise, and a few times the exterior. However it has not necessarily been a deliberate act. My first question will be how many really understands the importance of going green. And its whole essence.

At the moment activity of going green serves an aesthetic purpose as opposed to its original intention, which is to curb the harmful effects on the environment through consumer habits and lifestyles.

It is a big discussion and I think there has to be a wake-up call to this effect.

Myself:

True, now it seems as though companies that do take it serious, like Unilever which is committed to reducing its carbon imprint amongst many other things, seem to have a new skillset they are looking for in employees. Am I right?

Micheal:

Well yes, and a very good job and a big thank you to Unilever. But then again, how about I make this illustration: What effect does pouring a pack of salt - one that costs 50 naira - into a standard swimming pool. Same thing with Dangote and other big companies.

Myself:

Nothing. And yes, I understand and agree with you. But as much as we'll like everyone to do things beneficial to man as a whole, it is a work in progress.

Micheal:

The future of work is not necessarily about companies’ actions or reactions, but about individuals’ understanding the necessities they have to take. And when it comes to going green, it boils down to an individual’s intuition about going green in his workplace. For example, Lagos has been really (really) hot, and this is due to climate change.

Myself:

Now like you said, Lagos has been really hot, so we can agree that as much as automation drives the future of work, climate change has a great impact as well. Am I right?

Micheal:

Yes, you are, in as much as automation will drive the future of change, what about the ‘healthset’ of man? Climate change has always and will always be a major dictate in innovation. For example, the climate in the polar region, dictates the kind of work they do there. As such, little change will determine the type of work. Right now, armless clothes are more in demand than other clothing types. 

PwC's report

Note: According to statistics, automation will not replace humans in every sector. In areas of manual tasks and physical activities, it can replace them, but in other areas like creativity, and ideas, it can only aid the future of work. However, it must be said, that even those that seem to think they are on the safe side, should plan and prepare adequately, because if they cannot bring more to the table – the relevant more- they will be cut-off without a second thought. Should you be scared? No, you should be excited you know this now, because you now have a leverage.

Myself:

Now, I understand, and I really like the way you put it. That is a massive turnaround for people. I sure hope we'll be able to cope.

Micheal:

I am sure we will. We don't have a choice.

Myself:

Can you give a brief advice to our readers about recognizing the impact of climate change on the future of work and how they can adapt?

Micheal:

First things first, get to understand how you affect the climate and how the climate affects you. Then take active steps by following Stac’s advice. You should be fine.

Myself:

Thank you very much for your time Mr. Micheal.

You can follow the RootsHive on Instagram @theofficialRootsHive

For more information on the Future of Work, particularly the other worlds, check out PwC’s video below. You will be glad you did.

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