Capitalism reigns supreme Extreme talent What it means for workers In the Blue World, companies see their size and Corporates may dominate the Blue World, For workers in the Blue World, the pressure to 70% influence as the best way to protect their prized but workforces are lean. perform is relentless. Those with a permanent would consider using profit margins against intense competition from role enjoy excellent rewards, as do in‑demand treatments to enhance their peers and aggressive new market entrants. Exceptional talent is in high demand – contract workers with specialist skills – but both their brain and body Corporations grow to such a scale, and exert employers secure a core group of pivotal know that their future employability depends on such influence, that some become more powerful high‑performers by offering excellent rewards keeping their leading‑edge skills relevant. if this improved than nation states. but otherwise buy in flexible talent and skills employment prospects as and when they’re needed. A corporate employer separates the haves from in the future. Success depends on a productive workforce as the have nots; companies provide many of the large companies compete for the best talent. Human effort, automation, analytics and services, from children’s education, eldercare PwC survey of 10,029 members They push past the limits of human ability by innovation combine to push performance and healthcare, previously provided by the state. of the general population based in China, Germany, India, the UK and investing augmentation technology, medication in the workplace to its limits; human effort the US – base all those who are not and implants to give their people the edge. is maximised through sophisticated use of The price workers must pay is their data. retired 8,459 physical and medical enhancement techniques Companies monitor and measure obsessively, and equipment, and workers’ performance from the location of their workforce to their and wellbeing are measured, monitored and performance, health and wellbeing – both in and analysed at every step. A new breed of elite outside the workplace. Organisations use the super‑workers emerges. data to predict performance and importantly, to anticipate people risk. 17