Read an article in the last couple of days by Stanley Bing (Fortune Magazine, US edition – December 2014) where the topic above is discussed. The comparison between the centuries is made to suggest that working conditions we are now being sold as new, cool developments – open plan offices, no job security, super rich bosses, etc – are really a reincarnation of the way things were back in the days of Dickens. It’s quite a topic and one that is hard to argue against. There is a big income disparity in the workforce and it’s growing all the time. Freelancing as a way of life is one thing, but zero hours contracts and the like are quite another. And open plan offices really are a modern day version of the factory floor – gossip flowing free and fast, constant visibility and the daily exodus as the clock strikes 530pm. One definitely to ponder, and one I’m going to be discussing as I talk to the Digital Leaders North West Salon in Manchester in the middle of this month. Looking forward to hearing their thoughts.

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Ian Mountford is a Strategy Coach providing motivation and guidance to entrepreneurs, wannabe or fully-fledged. He draws from his own experience of building businesses from the ground up and spending many years helping clients to consistently achieve their goals and aspirations. Ian works with clients face-to-face and internationally.