Reskill for success and survival

The world is changing at every fraction of a second. The only thing that remains constant is the change itself. So, every person should accept the challenge of change. In this dynamic world, it is very difficult to survive in business with the same level of skill and knowledge. Technology is getting advanced rapidly. Today, one should always upgrade oneself to meet the challenges of advanced technology. The only way out to do so is by reskilling. If a computer programmer knows a computer language that was used years back, then his skill is no more useful. He should ultimately learn new computer languages. Otherwise, he might have to quit, get fired from or lose business. Being proficient in computer applications like WordStar, WordPerfect or Lotus 123 that are outdated does not make one competent. Those who are proficient in such applications do not need to be proud of. They must get trained in the latest versions of word processor, spreadsheet, presentation and such other applications as are at present widely accepted and in high demand. It is possible that various other applications will be developed in the future that will be easier and widely accepted. Still, they will have to gain knowledge of such computer applications. Therefore, it is necessary to reskill oneself to keep up-to-date. This is only an instance.

We can observe such instances in our everyday life. Today, almost every office has PCs. But in most cases the computer is used only as a typewriter. Usually, big bosses are familiar with the latest models and versions of computers. But it is hard to find a boss who can optimally use the computer. Those bosses should realize that having the latest models and versions of computers does not necessarily reflect their ability. It is their skill that makes them successful in this competitive and dynamic world of business. To grow more crops today, farmers should adopt the latest technologies of cultivation, harvesting and irrigation and use improved seeds and fertilizers. It is no more practical to use tools like ploughs and spades, wait for rainfall to come for irrigation and apply such other traditional ways of agriculture.

Today the world is with them who can change themselves with the changing times as and when requited. The evolution theory of natural selection or “survival of the fittest” propounded by British naturalist Charles Darwin suggests that only those who can adjust themselves to the changing times can survive. The theory propounded umpteen years ago is still valid today.

Reskilling is required in every field. One should always have to keep oneself updated. Gone are the days when experience was considered a must to get a job. Today the only thing that really counts is the latest skill and knowledge one possesses. Of course, computer knowledge is a must in almost every field. But this does not mean that one should always have one’s academic degrees upgraded, which is impossible. If one has necessary academic degrees, one can keep oneself up to date with the latest technologies, ideas, etc. One can read various magazines and periodicals, participate in training, surf through Internet sites and watch TV. When there is a will there is a way. One can always find a way out if one makes a wish to upgrade one’s skill.

Some people think that upgrading technology will reduce their workload and so they will have no work to do. At some offices, such hypocrites hinder the upgrading of technologies simply because they may lose an opportunity to show their boss how long and hard they work. They just don’t want to reskill themselves. Now the time has come to mull over it. Organizations should adopt the latest technologies suitable for the category of their business. Effective measures should be taken to reskill the employees. Employees should be evaluated, not keeping in view how long they work, but how efficiently they accomplish the assigned job promptly with a more appropriate approach. In fact, those should be fired promptly who are averse to upgrading themselves. In fact, the need for the latest technologies and skills cannot be ignored under any circumstances. Therefore, if anybody has to survive in this dynamic world they should reskill themselves with the latest technologies and skills.