A world in acceleration – Today is the slowest day of change you’ll ever experience. It sounds dramatic, but it’s true. The world is accelerating; technology, work, communication, society – everything is evolving faster than we’ve ever known. And it’s not just the speed of change that’s remarkable; it’s the fact that the pace itself is accelerating.
In 2008 Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod created a video called “Shift Happens”, this film captured the attention of business leaders by throwing jaw-dropping facts at the screen. It told us things like: “The top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010 didn’t exist in 2004” and “We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented yet, to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.” These revelations felt like future-gazing.
Today, we’re living through the reality that video warned us about — and it’s moving faster than even the boldest predictions imagined. If you’re leading a business, managing a team, or shaping strategy, one thing is clear:
Change will never be this slow again.
In this blog, we revisit the message from a decade ago, update it for today’s landscape, and outline what organisations need to do to not just keep up – but to lead.
The new realities of pace
We’re not living through an era of change. We’re living through a change of era.
The tech adoption curve is vertical:
- ChatGPT hit 100 million users in just 2 months
- Instagram took 2.5 years
- Facebook took 4.5 years
- The telephone…75 years!
Skills now have an expiry date
- In its Future of Jobs Report 2020, the World Economic Forum (WEF) reported that 50% of all employees will need reskilling by the end of 2025
- In the more recent Future of Jobs Report 2025, published in January 2025, the WEF indicates that 39% of workers’ core skills are expected to change by 2030, reflecting ongoing shifts in skill requirements.
- The half-life of skills (the time it takes for a skill to become half as valuable) is now just 5 years and shrinking
The workforce is transforming
Four generations are working side by side, each with different values, tech preferences, and communication styles:
- Baby Boomers (1946–1964): Loyal, experienced, value stability, often prefer traditional communication
- Gen X (1965–1980): Independent, pragmatic, tech-adaptable, value work-life balance
- Millennials (1981–1996): Purpose-driven, collaborative digital natives, expect flexibility
- Gen Z (1997–2012): Entrepreneurial, diversity-focused, mobile-first, crave real-time feedback
Gen Z are entering leadership roles with radically different expectations around flexibility, diversity, and purpose. What about Gen Alpha? Born after 2012, they’re growing up in a fully digital world with AI, instant access to information, and immersive tech. They’ll expect seamless digital experiences, ultra-personalisation, and purpose-led employers as standard. They’ll be entering the workplace in five short years.
AI isn’t coming, it’s here
- Generative AI is redefining productivity and creativity in real time
- Over 300 million jobs globally are expected to be impacted by AI automation (Goldman Sachs, 2023).
Consumer expectations are instant
- “Next day” is now too slow
- Personalisation isn’t a luxury – it’s the norm
- Your customers are benchmarking your speed and service against Amazon, Uber, and Netflix
These aren’t subtle shifts – they’re tectonic. We no longer operate in fixed frameworks. Everything is fluid and only organisations that can pivot quickly, learn constantly, and adapt confidently will remain competitive.
The cost of standing still
In an environment where the pace is unrelenting, standing still is the same as falling behind. Companies that fail to adapt don’t just risk inefficiency – they risk irrelevance.
We’ve seen it already:
- Kodak – once the king of film, failed to embrace digital photography
- Blockbuster – offered the chance to buy Netflix, said no!
- Nokia – with a huge market share, underestimated the smartphone revolution
But it’s not just about tech. Businesses that fail to adapt to:
- Changing worker expectations
- Evolving legislation and compliance
- Shifting customer priorities
…are already seeing it in higher churn, skill shortages, and shrinking margins.
The truth? The most expensive decision a business can make is the decision not to change.
Navigating change: What organisations need
Thriving in this landscape doesn’t mean chasing every trend. It means building the ability to adapt with purpose. Here’s what that takes:
Strategic Agility
- Quick decision-making, but grounded in data, insight, and values
Skills Intelligence
- Understanding what you have, what you need, and how to close the gap
Digital Confidence
- Not just adopting tools, but embedding digital fluency throughout your teams
A Human-Centred Approach
- Amid automation, it’s emotional intelligence, empathy, and purpose that create loyalty and performance.
The Right Partner
- Someone to decode the complexity, bring clarity, and help you take action with confidence.
That’s where we come in!
What this means for recruitment
Recruitment isn’t immune to the pace of change — it’s at the very heart of it. The way people find work, what they value in a job, and how companies attract, hire, and retain talent has transformed.
Five years ago, recruitment was predictable. Today, it’s unrecognisable.
- CVs are no longer the full story – Culture fit, values alignment, and potential are just as important
- Speed matters – Candidates won’t wait three weeks for feedback. If you’re slow, you lose them
- Hybrid expectations are non-negotiable – Flexible working is a deal-breaker for many
- Digital-first hiring – From video interviews to automated onboarding, tech is the norm
- Skills shortages are intensifying – In every sector, employers are struggling to find the right mix of capability and character
Why it matters to your business
If your recruitment strategy hasn’t evolved, it’s costing you! In lost candidates, slower growth, and missed opportunities. But this isn’t just about hiring faster, it’s about hiring smarter!
How can Major help you?
At Major Recruitment, we’re built for this. We understand that recruitment today isn’t just about filling vacancies, it’s about preparing businesses for tomorrow.
We help our clients:
- Forecast future skills needs, not just today’s gaps
- Attract talent that aligns with purpose and culture
- Streamline hiring processes to compete at pace
- Build diverse, future-ready workforces
- Navigate compliance and employment law in a fast-changing legislative landscape
We’re more than a recruiter. We’re a partner in your workforce strategy.
Why change matters now
Change isn’t slowing down. It’s compounding, we are:
- Moving from AI as a novelty to AI as a tool
- Watching the rise of non-linear careers and portfolio work
- Facing a war for talent shaped by values, not just salaries
- If you’re waiting for stability before you act – you’re waiting for a world that no longer exists
If change is the only constant, your ability to adapt is your greatest asset. We work with organisations of every size to help them:
- Understand and anticipate change
- Plan strategically for skills and workforce development
- Attract and retain talent who’ll thrive in tomorrow’s world
Let’s talk about how Major Recruitment can help you build a future-ready workforce and navigate what’s next. Get in touch today and let’s start the conversation.