Emergence of the 'Me' Enterprise: A Blueprint for Leadership in the 21st Century

As new and disruptive technologies continue to transform the workplace, both employers and employees struggle to keep pace. The business practices of even five years ago are being revamped by new technologies, new applications, new devices, and new modes of connectivity and analytics, leaving many corporations out of touch, out of date and in some cases, out of business. As corporations scramble to keep pace, by way of downsizings, mergers, acquisitions, outsourcing, re-organizations and re-structuring, employees have been left to their own devices to find their niche in a new, increasingly competitive, digitized workplace.

Am I at risk?
How much of your conversations with friends, colleagues and bosses involve talk of mergers, acquisitions, downsizings, re-organizations, outsourcing, or other types of corporate re-structuring? How much of your thought process is consumed by the possibilities that, despite your performance, your job could go away? Today's workforce faces unprecedented employment risks... not because of performance issues, or due to a sinking economy, but because of the rapid introduction of new technologies and new levels of competition.

Am I prepared?

Do I have the skills to compete in an economy and work environment that is in a state of constant change? Would I be competitive in the open job market? I was clearly marketable three years ago; but what about today? Have things changed right before my eyes without me noticing it, leaving me ill prepared for what may come next with my company? Do I have the connections to help me make a change if that were necessary? What would happen if I lost my job tomorrow?

"The Emergence of the 'Me'"Me" Enterprise" provides a historical and analytical view of how digitization has disrupted the workplace, and outlines a set of practices and values, described as the '"Me Enterprise Blueprint,'", which serves as a recipe for surviving and thriving in this '"you are on your own'" environment.

About the Author

Ashok Shah

After retiring from Alcatel-Lucent as President of their Global Professional Services organization, Ashok Shah spends his time serving as an advisor or as a member of the Board of Directors for a collection of public and private businesses and universities. He is the founder and President of CEPS Consulting LLC, based in Warren NJ.

G. Ross Kelly

Following his retirement as Vice President of Sales and Consulting Services from Hewlett Packard's Services Division, Ross Kelly embarked on a second career assisting and advising start-up companies and entrepreneurs. Additionally, in support of his passions as a writer, musician and songwriter, he founded a non-profit, EmmaSaid Productions LLC, which provides assistance to aspiring authors and songwriters.