Do you remember when you first started out in your chosen field of work?
For some that might be easy, but for many it is a bit hazy. I know many things have changed in my time in the workforce.
I spoke about change at a conference last year and mentioned the first piece of DR/BC software I had worked with, a product called DP80. When I asked for a show of hands nobody had heard of it!
For those who have seen many changes and may have forgotten what it was like starting out, the BCI publication “20 in their 20’s:The future of Business Continuity” should be essential reading. It features some interesting new voices in this field, and offers some good insights into a new generation of practitioners.
When I was starting out (in the IT arena) I wanted to learn about everything, I was keen to understand how things worked. I was also a nuisance to the older hands as I always wanted to know WHY we did it that way. Often it seemed to me there was an alternative way to do something that made more sense.
Thankfully I never lost that youthful questioning of why, and it is pleasing to see some of these young professionals demonstrating the desire to question, rather than merely accepting, established practice.
We should all be willing to engage with newcomers and new ideas, otherwise our current practices will fail to keep up with the significant changes taking place in the world. Changes that can arrive with the power and impact of a freight train, leaving wreckage in the path of the unwary.
New generations of practitioner should also have an expectation of being offered appropriate learning, coaching and development methods. Appropriate to the context of that generation, rather than the models expected by, or offered to, previous generations.
I wrote about the need to update our education and coaching practices to reflect the needs of a new generation 2 years ago (… the past is just a goodbye).
In order to change our practices, we need to understand this new generation of practitioners. And there is no better way than listen to what they are saying, and especially where they are talking and thinking differently to previous generations.
Not every author/article in this publication jumped out and grabbed me, but here are some examples I would encourage you to read. They are listed in the order they appear in the publication;
- Adam Barrett, UK
- Offers a perspective on the changing nature of the threats we face
- He also offers an intersting style of analysis, this piece is fairly unique in the publication.
- A great example of why the older generations need a Digital Native’s ( or at least a Digital Resident’s) perspective to adequately address BC and resilience around Cyber threat.
- and if you do not know what the labels mean – go back and read “the past is just a goodbye”
- Luke Bird, UK
- Luke was one of only three in this group that I knew of prior to reading the publication, his blog provides more insights into the expecations of the newcomer.
- This article offers an important perspective about the changing nature of BC practitioners.
- This new generation are increasingly characterised by “direct entry”, they are coming to BC as a first choice – not starting in another field and then moving to BC.
- Also important to note they are choosing the field, many older hands ended up in this field by accident.
- Very important to understand this characteristic and what it means for the coaching and development of the future practitioner.
- Stacey Gardner, USA
- Another I was aware of and have met.
- Stacey talks about the value of asking the question why. A newcomer talking about the need to change the legacy mindset.
- Stacey is also talking about the need to become business experts and practitioners with a strategic perspective, rather than “bottom up” risk/disaster mitigators.
- Also significant pieces of mindset shift that will be required to switch from legacy BC to resilience as a practice
- Carmen Lee, Australia
- It was great to find locals featured, but disappointed (in myself) that I didn’t know them.
- I shall change that situation in coming months
- Carmen is also talking about the issue of mindset and the classic model of BC practitioners as Cassandra. Jaded and cynical fear mongers.
- The call here is for optimism and a focus on the upside of risk.
- This requires change, starting with ourselves and our approaches.
- To me this also resonates with some of ideas coming from the other authors, especially Luke and Adam.
- It was great to find locals featured, but disappointed (in myself) that I didn’t know them.
- Sarah O’Neill-Kara, New Zealand
- I know, and have had the privilege of working with, Sarah. Her passion was no surprise.
- Echoing some of Carmen’s theme, Sarah notes that the greatest challenge is ourselves.
- Need to focus on bringing diversity to our thinking and to be able to tell different stories that illustrate our purpose and value.
- Sarah is advocating flexibility, finding our own passion, then sparking passion and ownership in others.
- Harriet Wood, UK
- A great anecdote, from somebody who had to Google BC prior to her job interview, to a practitioner discussing the need to better define our own roles.
- An interesting discussion about BC as internal consulting, and how we can learn from the practice adopted by external consultants.
- More than many of the others this piece addresses the key question of how we add value to our businesses, rather than being “just another auditor”.
- Again a relevant point of departure from legacy BC practice as we think about embracing the concept of resilience.
These are the articles that spoke to me most directly. What about you? Which articles did you get the most value from?
Last year the BCI launched its 2020 initiative, seeking to answer the question “what will BC look in the year 2020?”. If this publication is any indication we may need to be polling some even younger folk. Perhaps those just leaving school and entering University about what they think BC is and should be. 2020 is still some years away, hopefully none of this crop of young authors and practitioners will be cynical 30-somethings by then.
In the interim, young practitioners you have an audience.I am keen to hear more of what you think.
Where do I go to establish those conversations, or even just to read your thoughts?
Who else is going to get onboard this train to the future?
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