The
advances in technology witnessed exodus of unimaginable number of workers,
especially amongst renowned automotive manufacturers. That was couple of
decades ago. And, when the industrial age workers paved way for the emergence
of knowledge workers, the job losses and sufferings of those deprived of work
were relegated to the annals of business history with the stamp of unskilled
workers. And, of course the subsequent progress in computing and widespread
automation ensured continuous focus on companies in the realm of technology.
Sometime
during this phase saw the emergence of India as a knowledge factory,
essentially a coding hub for the world. Blue-chip companies, Indian as well as
foreign, established base in India to leverage cost arbitrage, which was set as
a differentiator by early movers. Young engineers and graduates with no
inclination to coding could find high-paying jobs as the industry matured. No
one was bothered about the growing similarity of the Indian IT industry to the famed
auto industry in the west that let go off thousands of workers.
A
recent report in Economic Times could perhaps awaken the thousands of software
engineers from their comfort zone. It is obvious. Many
in India would soon be rendered jobless. Anyone who has been watching the
transformation in the travel industry would note the rapid
changes owing to the burgeoning online travel portals. It was just an
indication that automation and software can change our lives. It is also an
indication that technology can replace people. There are two key factors that
would prove to be a death knell for the once in vogue Indian programmers. One
is the rapid technological change we are witnessing everyday over the last
couple of years, which is forcing businesses to rethink and re-engineer their
business and operating models. Secondly, the advancement in technologies is
also forcing businesses to realize more value from their workers. In other
words, there is now increased focus on improving productivity more than ever. Time
for programmers to ask - What can I do, right now that would be the most
powerful use of this moment?
