Retrospective Office of The Future Event with Herman Konings

Wim Vandebergen (Country Manager Commercial Channel) was allowed to kick off the event. Wim took the more than 50 participants through HP's vision of the future workplace. Wim shared some interesting trends to focus on as an organisation. He also reiterated the importance of both physical and mental health. "55% of all our stress, is caused by our job" he sounded. Gen Z'ers in particular clearly experience more stress in their lives:

Gen Z: 59%
Gen Y: 46%
Gen X: 43%
Baby boomers: 27%

Being abundantly 'stimulated' by notifications is probably the main cause in this.

Influential factors make us unique

For a change psychologist like Herman Konings these are exciting times. Our minds have had a lot to deal with in recent years. Corona, the war in Ukraine, the current energy crisis ... Numerous influential events affecting our lives. It has made us look at life with different glasses, as well as have different expectations in terms of work environment. For instance, three years hardly anyone thought telecommuting was important. Moreover, there is also a clear difference by generation:

Generation Y (1980 - 1996)	Generation Z (1996 - 2005)
Sufficient attention to focus & rest	Fashionable working environment
Low-incentive working environment	Fan of bright colours
Room for co-creation	Separate spaces to unwind

Baby boomers make way for Gen Z'ers

On the professional front, baby boomers are gradually giving way to Generation Y & Z. But due to the need to fish in a smaller pool of labour, we now have a 'war for talent'.

As in Belgian politics - many party leaders are younger than 32 - more and more companies will be run by a millenial. Young people who have a very different vision of the world. A generation where digitalisation is important. As is an attractive workplace (= Great Place To Work).

Gap The Mind

During his presentation, Herman Konings also cited the concept of cluster fuck. An accumulation of crises that boost our society. Dormant 'civilisation processes' that are accelerated by a profound crisis. Examples of such a civilisation process are: sustainability, health, digitalisation, urbanisation and globalisation.

Also the common thread throughout his book 'Gap The Mind'.

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