The Digital Evolution of Life

A new phenomenon called Digital Darwinism has taken its place in business culture in the last few years. The concept was proposed by Brian Solis, a research-consulting company director, digital marketing commentator, and author, in his book The End of Business as Usual. In his words, Digital Darwinism is the evolution of consumer behavior in an environment where society and technology are changing much faster than we can adapt. With technology taking an increasingly intense and different role in our lives, our stance as consumers against Digital Darwinism (digital evolution) becomes an endless dynamic and interactive struggle.

Business World Shaped by Technology

When we look at technological developments by matching the economy and the business world, ten different areas where we can read the effects of change attract our attention.

ONE. The first of these is mobile technologies, which are gradually gaining ground in daily life. Thanks to smart phones and portable computers, it has become possible to provide broadband (Internet) connection in any place at any time. This technology also provides wireless networks, appropriate operating systems and application software in the background of the user products in the image.

TWO. Another area that doesn't get our attention as much as phones, tablets or cameras is sensor technology. Security cameras aside; Every area of ​​life where data can be collected is equipped with new sensor technologies. For example, from the moment you enter a shopping mall, it is possible to store data regarding every activity and transaction you perform in information environments via sensors. Similarly, sensors, information and communication technologies can ensure that all activities related to processes in a manufacturing enterprise are recorded.

Thus, huge data piles are formed waiting to be processed, interpreted and evaluated. This new situation provided by technological opportunities is called Big Data. We now have large chunks of data in large quantity and variety, which can be complex or structured, supplied via sensor-type devices from Internet-connected computing networks. Within these piles lie the mysteries of consumer behavior. When we manage to organize, analyze, interpret and evaluate this data, we can have new value opportunities to deliver to the market and customers.

THREE. Now, among the most attractive departments of universities are those related to robotics, mechatronics and artificial intelligence, which are a combination of mechanical, electrical and informatics engineering. We are increasingly watching the variety of robotic products in TV shows, project exhibitions and award-winning competitions. In the future, we will witness much more intensely that computer-controlled devices and machines take place in daily life in a multidimensional way. Robotic and artificial intelligence technologies will continue to be among the factors that seriously affect our lives.

FOUR. If there is accumulated value or wealth at some point, it is unthinkable that there are no security issues associated with it. In a time we call the Information Age, the most important of these types of wealth is all kinds of data, information, knowledge and experience. Therefore, cyber risk and cyber security (security of information systems) have become the most important issues of this age. Cyberattacks are directed at personal as well as government or corporate information points. We often watch personal information being leaked to the media without permission. On the other hand, corporate or personal websites are attacked by hackers. As technology becomes more intense and complex, attacks on information points become more sophisticated and damaging. For this reason, we will observe an increase in the multidimensional use of security technologies in our lives. Increasing the importance of security against risks and threats will be another technological impact of the upcoming period.

FIVE. The increasing importance of information in living spaces and the rising value of information as a production factor make the production and distribution processes of information more remarkable. In addition to the increase in the amount and variety of information, the increase in production acceleration requires education and training, which is the process of acquiring knowledge, to be more qualified and sustainable. For this reason (indicating after school), the concept of lifelong education has been talked about extensively in recent years; There are public, private or civil initiatives related to this. As a result, large-scale changes are observed in educational technologies; educational tools and trends in this sector are differentiated by the effect of technology. In terms of the public dimension of education, the vision quality of governments is effective; The governments, who have difficulty in understanding the global trends and the changing conjuncture, are missing the spirit of the time while they are sympathetic to the old model styles.

SIX. While developments in informatics and communication sometimes emerge as a result of other technological developments, sometimes they themselves become the engine of new changes. One of the innovations of the Information Age – the signs of which started to appear in the 1990s – is the emergence of cloud computing. Cloud computing is a type of service that provides sharing of Internet-based technology resources. Thanks to this technology, software applications, information and data storage and computing facilities are shared as a remote service. Thanks to cloud computing technology over the Internet, users can remotely access information that is not available on their computers (smartphones or similar devices).

SEVEN. You must have heard the predictions that the objects called metal or paper money will disappear over time. In fact, we observe in our daily lives that the developments in the banking sector and the widespread use of credit cards have reduced the use of money as an object. On the other hand, Internet banking brings new dimensions to the shopping institution. At the point we have reached today, we observe that one of the important technological developments that change life is the diversification in payment systems. Payment technology differentiation rising on internet-based software applications, new payment tools and platforms, and newly developed services will be another catalyst for change in daily life.

EIGHT. We are living in a very different era than when the movie was watched by going to the cinema and the game was played on the street with a spinning top, marble or jump rope. Even the elders of the family no longer remember the children's games of the past. Virtual and augmented reality technology, which first started as computer games, has become an integral part of the media-movie industry and more and more of the business world. Simulation computer modeling approaches find new application opportunities in the design and manufacturing industries. Traditional applications are being replaced by new methods, techniques and tools based on three-dimensional and virtual reality. There is a time period ahead when new visual technologies will take place more effectively in all areas of life.

NINE. Developments in information, communication and Internet technologies greatly accelerate and diversify the flow of information for business purposes around the world. It has become extremely easy to monitor the current status of the products you ordered, the workflow in the factory area, or the location of the truck you have loaded for delivery to the customer, thanks to networks. New technologies have made possible online, interactive and self-service business processes, software use, and service acquisition. To understand this situation, we can memorize the following motto: "There will be no business without an Internet connection."

TEN. There is now a new reality that we call social media. The meeting and communication opportunity provided by more than one person through changing places (transportation) takes place virtually and online thanks to the Internet. The use of the media has created new conditions of production and consumption for individuals. Technological developments are practically changing concepts such as neighborliness, friendship and relationship. Face-to-face is rapidly becoming obsolete. We will continue to see the effects of new technologies on our social qualities in an intensified manner.

All businesses, entrepreneurs and managers are now part of the larger connected world. Regardless of the location of the business or the operator, this situation affects the way of doing business, communication and cooperation style; leads to the development of new business models. On the other hand, new opportunities and conveniences come to the fore in performing time-consuming and skill-less works. Now operators can devote more of themselves to high-value activities. In this context, the roles of managers within the business are also rising to the level of strategic business partnership.

It will never be possible to know the future with certainty. On the other hand, having knowledge and foresight about emerging technologies can help meet future challenges and, more importantly, benefit from new opportunities.

Digital Evolution

We live in an age where technologies change and develop very rapidly, while individuals and organizations have difficulty keeping up with the acceleration of technological change. It seems that this acceleration will continue in this way unless there is a very large, unexpected break. It is a question mark how rational the intermediate or end consumer can remain in the face of surprising change. Like birds flying from side to side in the sky, or fish changing direction in flocks by the attack of big fish in the sea; In the face of rapid change, it will be more difficult to predict the attitudes and behaviors of consumers in the future. On the other hand, there have been serious developments in data and information collection and storage technologies.

One of the most important corporate capabilities of the next decade will be to develop and use analysis and modeling methods, techniques and tools to filter, interpret and evaluate large data piles. Change management, project management, fundraising, innovation, design, P&D, and technology management for business leverage should be counted among the skills and abilities that we will need more in the next decade.

Which Skills?

We can take a brief look at the skills and abilities that will be effective (also preferred) in business processes and activities in the next ten years. The first of these; Thanks to data collection technologies, business intelligence will be one of the most valuable skills that will enable the processing of data stacks stored in information environments. Expressions often referred to as big data and analytics at this time point to this ability. Depending on this subject, data analysis and data modeling will also be among the required capabilities. By broadening this context, we can talk about the total need for multidimensional knowledge management skills and abilities.

If there are change factors in the ecosystem that affect us, we cannot face this situation with a passive attitude. If there is change, the person and the organization should have their own change management. In other words, the accelerated change of the next ten years necessitates the ability of change management for economic enterprises. What will you do in the face of the rapid change in technologies that concern your business?

It is not enough to detect that the structure of the market and the customer's taste and choice behavior are changing. To satisfy the customer's new needs and desires, skills and abilities such as innovation, design and product development will be required. Accordingly, with the increasing importance of business mind (business intelligence), there is another situation such as employing talented people in the business and ensuring their permanence.

In the economy and business world (while mid-level jobs are disappearing), jobs are grouped into two basic categories. We are observing the development of a dichotomy as jobs that do not require a high level of skills other than a certain basic area, and jobs that require special skills and abilities. Value-added jobs will require more and more skills and talent. For this reason, businesses may face an aggravating situation in terms of providing and maintaining skills and talents.

Dominant Component

Every business (economic enterprise) has a dominant building block that primarily affects the income and profits. Depending on the nature of the business, this influential factor can be a product, service, sales channel, customer profile or a strategic partner. We can count the payment system of the enterprise (the way of flowing the income to the enterprise) among them. The development of information, communication and Internet technologies has led to the emergence of new payment platforms and forms. For this reason, operators aiming to have their businesses in the future should also have developed knowledge, skills and abilities in new and developing payment systems.

Future projections advise that there should be no unconnected businesses. This makes it necessary to have skills and competence in connectivity. Information, communication, Internet and media technologies (connection technology for short) are now part of business culture. Entrepreneurs and managers have to be skilled and competent in connectivity as appropriate to their needs. I should add that connectivity also means information security.

Developments in the Internet have made it easier for individuals and institutions to exist in this environment, to exchange news, to share information, and to express themselves on social media platforms and blogs. Networks, especially the Internet, are not just environments for us to communicate outside of our personal or corporate space. Networks allow us to create platforms that can be used for institutions and organizations at the same rate. In this context, we can say that business portals will make a very important contribution to providing corporate communication. In summary; The necessary knowledge in establishing, developing and managing portals for both the external ecosystem and the enterprise is another important skill of the near future.

In the first years when informatics started to become widespread, there were independent applications. Today's business conditions require the integration of corporate applications, sharing information with each other and mutual communication. We simply call this need enterprise resource management (ERP). We should count the skills to ensure the compatibility of implementation programs with each other among the requirements of the future.

Technological Equipped

The concept of technology has meant acquiring or even memorizing new technical information that is difficult for some people to understand. Particularly, some of the social and cultural-based professionals created the illusion that they could stay out of technological development as individuals. Today, the fact that technologies are for everyone and affects every professional field is better understood. Every business has a connection with new technologies, especially informatics, communication and the Internet. Those who are not will soon be seriously affected by technological development. Life always makes its choice for convenience.

In an age where information multiplies, diversifies, turns into an avalanche and affects every field, we need to learn analytical methods, techniques and tools, and accordingly increase our problem solving performance. As life becomes more complex, we watch as new problems arise that we need to solve. In such a world, it is necessary to be better equipped in terms of knowledge, skills and abilities.

One should not make a mistake while emphasizing the importance and impact of technology. The development of methods, techniques and tools is nothing without the human mind. For this reason, the importance of the human mind and rationality increases with the human being. On the one hand, technology takes a lot of burdens from us, and at the same time, we are heading towards a time when the mind and skills should be used more.