Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/862371
W EEKLY EDITION AUG 16, 2017 The Big Ideas : American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting Provides the PSAI with Information and Insights to Help Keep Our Organization Strong … continued By Karleen Kos, PSAI Executive Director While many of them have relevance to a range of industries and professions, or even to society as a whole, they don't all apply to the PSAI. Some of the most interesting ones that are likely to affect us are: • Deep structural changes in the world of work. Automation, the gig econo my, and broader economic trends are shifting the balance of power between employers and workers in ways that favor employers. Millions of people are finding their livelihoods put at risk by 30 - hour workweeks, smart machines, and the erosion of middle - class occupations, among other trends . New kinds of entities are arising to support workers' rights and protections in the face of inevitable change. • Aging world. Most of the world's socie ties are aging, with the share of the population that is elderly poised to rise steeply in both the adva nced economies and most emerging economies. This could reshape political, financial, and social priorities as countries grapple with issu es related to aging populations such as rising dependency ratios, the effect of retiring Boomers on the workforce, and costs of caring for older citizens. These issues will play out for associations in areas such as workforce and benefits. • Algorithmic politics. The power of algorithms to influence politics is growing, based on shaping information flows, manipulating indiv iduals, and even participating as bots. The same Internet tools that customize content and personalize online interactions are being adapted to invisibly persuade — by imperceptibly filtering information, altering attention, and providing conduits for messag ing micro - demographic niches. This phenomenon will likely affect who our elected officials are and how they decide on policies and regulations that affect our industry. • Automating work. Machine learning and innovative robotics mean that growing swaths of w ork are potentially automatable. The impacts of automation on work and workers will vary substantially by industry, occupation, and even workplace — but workforces will increasingly be affected by automation. • Cartel capitalism. Mergers and acquisitions have caused a growing number of industries to be dominated by a smaller number of companies. While these firms benefit from economies of scale that cut costs, their dominance can reduce competitiveness and economic dynamism. • Diversity and inclusion. American s ociety and workplaces will continue to grow more diverse and inclusive as values evolve and younger generations increase their share in the demographic mix. This will occur against a backdrop of social, political, and racial polarization — and the workplace will be a primary arena in which contending views collide and issues are worked out. To meet these challenges, inclusion efforts will need to be supported by a new generation of tools and processes. • Ethical consumption. Younger consumers are engaging in m ore "ethical" and values - driven spending on products and services, and investing in companies seen as doing good. The values and demographic weight of the m illennial generation suggest that this trend will grow. PAGE 2 CONTINUE D ON PAGE 3