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What to learn how to establish a career in this new economy? Look no further than the current generation of young people - that is, those age 20 and younger. To uncover some interesting revelations about the newest generation, Gen Z, I partnered with the third-largest staffing organization in the United States, Randstad US, on a global study analyzing how Gen Z's views of the workplace compared to Gen Y's.

This article is part review and part thought-provoker in relation to education and Friedman's Flat world. The article primarily reviews the flattening forces, in very little detail, but throws a twist in at the end as it talks specifically about the education system. It is suggested that classrooms become "flat" as well so that everyone is given the same chance to be involved.

Here is a website where people can join an on-line "coffee" chat room to discuss and share insights and spark ideas that will "plant the seeds of the future opportunities" We're connecting students, recent grads, and young professionals with leaders and established professionals over a cup of coffee. This site demonstrates the ability to connect with professionals both locally AND globally. What a great idea!

This article by Charles Fishman echoes more of what Friedman calls 'Multiple Identity Disorder' in a flattening world. We as individuals are trying to sort out "the tensions among our identities as consumers, employees, citizens, taxpayers, and shareholders." This article pulls the covers off of Wal-Mart, revealing some of the business partnerships they have had with companies like Vlasic, Lovable, Levi Strauss, and MasterLock- and how those companies have lost huge profits, and in the case of Vlasic, gone bankrupt because of their partnership with Wal-Mart. But, says Fishman, for suppliers, "the only thing worse than doing business with Wal-Mart may be not doing business with Wal-Mart". In a flattened world where one company has so much power, suppliers have few options if they want to stay afloat. Wal-Mart is taking its business to foreign companies at an accelerated rate. And as consumers with lower incomes due to the off-shoring of jobs, we also feel that we have little choice: we have to buy the cheapest brand. Seems that the Flattened world has also flattened individual choice.

This short article from a marketing school resource outlines key themes for self-marketing and the need for skill mastery in the changing workplace. While also providing more general advice to job-seekers everywhere in the form of how to put yourself out there. 

After finishing up my shift paper this week I thought I'd find a resource that focuses on the future of work and what it holds. This two page article is available in PDF and looks at some issues that Gratton discussed. How technology, demographics and globalization will all impact the working world.

Labour market information has been central to evaluating the state of our economy and job situation, as well as offering justification for different programs such as the TFW program. This article, although with a political slant, discusses the need for correct information and how the current information is currently skewed and could be better measured in a different way.

The emergence of e-commerce has tremendously changed the ways of doing business-t-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) commerce including timing, transportation patterns, consumer behavior and marketing. The article commodiously focuses on the ideas and global trends of chain business: B2B e-commerce leads the way, Double-digit growth for B2C, Economic behavioral changes and E-commerce influences demand patterns.

This article provides a few helpful questions for those who are having difficulty differentiating between their own personal self and their organization. Employees often come to embody their organizational values and goals, especially if they are congruent with their own personal views. However, employees who are unaware of their self-disposition are likely to find they are unable to identify themselves outside of their organizational/working self. This article provides a few questions that clients, or any employee, can ask themselves to see whether or not they have lost sight of their personal values and traits that are unique to their person. These questions also have guiding descriptions, and provide advice on how to become self-aware.

This article provides preventative strategies for negative outcomes within virtual working environments. As the trend is currently increasing the ability of individuals to collaborate via the internet, the "killers" must also be made public, to ensure virtual organizations and employee teams can become aware and prevent the potential implications of working over the internet rather than in traditional work spaces. This enables work to continue to be innovative, rewarding, and meaningful to each employee.

This article explains the difference between emerging new social class "plutocrats" - which refers to the trend of wealthy individuals to become involved with social and political policies. This article helps to highlight the potential consequences of this new class, as well as the possible opportunities it may bring. This article helps to explain this phenomenon, as well as provide insight into the impacts and challenges of an ever-globalizing world.

Outsourcing brings in a lot of flexibility and financial freedom but it also has its pitfalls. Any company looking to outsource must keep in mind the pros and cons of outsourcing before deciding to take the plunge. Take a look at this list of advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing.

This article is an interview with the author. It gives a bit more background about the book and the author. As well, it provides more detail about the author's viewpoint, which is useful for understanding the text. Annotated link: https://diigo.com/071dt2

This site supports Friedman's three convergences of horizontalization, using new technologies with new ways of doing business, and the world now having access to plug-in and play. The article talks about outsourcing many services (especially within manufacturing) all over the world. In 2012, China was the 18th fastest growing economy in the world, with a real GDP growth rate (constant prices, national currency) of 7.8 percent. Although the figure is its slowest growth since 1999, it is also representative of a maturing economy as it gradually transition from a developing to developed nation.

In reading Friedman's three convergence story of Rajesh Dhruva, I decided to look up his company. I was impressed! His company partners with Disney, SEGA, Microsoft, Sony, and probably many other well-known gaming companies that I'm just not familiar with! Just a fun link... Dhruva Interactive is a experienced game development company in India located in Bangalore. It is one of the top game development firm and art studio in Bangalore, India.

A global Randstad study found that a third of Canadians feel their jobs are threatened by advances in technology, and one in four believes the job they currently hold could vanish entirely if the trend continues. Advancements in technology have always threatened certain industries, and now is no different.