The Sweeping Tide of Change

What Cashless Payments Tell us About Technology and Society

London 27 February

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Well, Hallo. So here’s a number for you: 93% of all payments at tills in shops the UK are now cashless - and a good proportion of these are older people. Now why is this relevant to work? Well: Typerwiter, anyone? Desktop computer? Corded Telephone?

One way or another technology is changing jobs - either re-ordering them or re-imagining them or replacing them. I’ve written about this in my new book which I’m delighted to say (and would of course highly encourage you to) can be pre-ordered now.

The above illustration, by the award-winning graphic artist Nicola Streeten, is in the book, in which she co-pilots if you like illustrations alongside those generated by AI….it’s been a highly interesting experience.

Now. Of course I’m suggesting you “upgrade to paid” if you are not already. But why?

Well here’s my logic. This is free and it’s my opinion and my little nuggets. But what I’m doing twice a week for paid subscribers is I hope a little more practical and useful.

For instance, tomorrow I will publish some book reviews and recommending reading, ranging from Barbara Kellerman’s Leadership from Bad to Worse to Andy Lake’s latest on Hybrid Working. I aim to publish around six key links or data points a week.

Paid subscribers: You also get to use your voice and have your work highlighted across my networks. This is the interesting joy of Substack and user-generated content platforms (I remain a fan of big mainstream media by the way and my latest Bloomberg column on why workouts in the workplace should be mandatory is here).

The reality is that technology and the times we are in are sweeping away old norms. We want big conversations and niche worlds.

Do please share this or come back to me with ideas and comments.

Have a great day.