Keywords that take you out of the “Age of Cause”, “change”, “disconnection”, “inverted thinking” և “uncertainty”. The changes of the last twenty years have been enormous, challenging our comfortable perception of the world. Handy explores how organizations and individuals must learn to cope with changing work patterns. The book flows from argument վերլուծ analysis և theory to practical examples of how the future might work, as Hend sees it. This book could be written today ունենալ still արժ have currency և modernity as a roadmap for an uncertain future.
The Age of Reason may be open to criticism as a utopian vision of how the dynamic, adaptive members of society are coping with the relentless change that has forced us on the quantum leaps of technology. Those who have accepted lifelong learning – most MBAs will no doubt fall into this category – are smart և can use their own resources in times of staggering success. It is not clear how the less prosperous ones will prosper or even survive, as the author warns loudly about creating a divisive society.
When Handy first outlined his vision of a flexible, entrepreneurial worker, the common man had not heard of the Internet, cell phones that weighed about a pound, և the world of work would still be familiar to our grandparents. Now, with the ubiquitous web, fast telecommunications, and rapidly changing attitudes toward work practice, his vision is a reality. Many now have what Handy calls a portfolio career. I am writing this from my home, where broadband has allowed me to manage my bank account, advertise my services as a consultant, and view the sad balances of my stock portfolio with little effort. His vision of a “shamrock organization” consisting of an expert core, serviced by external organizations և part-time contractors, was realized, և technology made it possible.
According to Hendy, few of us who work now will end their careers with a gold watch after forty years of uninterrupted service with a single employer. The three parts of the book are entitled: Change, work, live. By combining them, we achieve the perfect balance, where a portfolio career is complemented by portfolio compensation, measured by self-improvement, as well as financial rewards. Hendy’s innovative approach or upside-down thinking, as she calls it, extends to education as well. His views are radical. Schools will have individual contracts with students to provide basic services. Then there will be an area of discretion or specialization where the student can choose from a number of options.
Looking back, it’s a wonderful thing, և, therefore, thirteen years after the publication of this work, a review has allowed a privileged view. One thing impresses և should be emphasized. Handy’s journey is one that he has personally undertaken. As you finish the Age of Reason, ponder the lessons learned, then read The Elephant (2001), where he describes how independent living has worked for him. This is a more reflective philosophical work than The Age of Cause, but these two can be seen as important events in a rich, varied life. Hendy manages to paint a compelling picture of the future, where many can work from home, using our talents to their full potential. Read The Age of Needlessness և imagine how Hendy’s vision might work for you. Have not any of us dreamed of waking up in the morning to walk down the unnecessary 10-yard hallway to our home office? Now, where do I put my pencil striped dress?