'Publishing' - the next essential skill

If there is one thing that differentiates the people in their 50s (sometimes even 40s) and those in their 20s at the workplace - it is the comfort with emails. In present times, for most of us, we take emails and internet as a very simple, normal and common element in our lives. (Though, this does not true for millions of people without food, basic amenities, electricity, access to computer and even 'English'). However, among the educated and english speaking professional in the corporate world, the comfort and skills with email/internet are as important or sometimes more important than even proper English itself.

Knowledge and comfort with emails has created its own version of 'Haves' and 'Have-nots'. While the number of people who are not comfortable with using emails is certainly depleting, there are still some significant section of people in the professional/corporate setups who are not so 'hands-on' with emails. Most of such professionals or managers happen to be aged and even occupying senior positions in organizations.

The implication of a senior managers not being conversant with emails can be assumed to be very negative both for the individual and the organization. In any case, this situation is changing and hence not some much of a problem

I have an inkling that the next big or important skill will be related with 'Publishing' - The ability to upload, view, share and present information on the net.

There will be two kinds of people or organizations - those who know how to have an effective internet presence and those that don't. Increasingly, businesses are adopting internet as a medium for corporate communication and marketing. At the individual level, comfort with social media and the ability to publish (on blogs and website) will be an important skill that will help individuals project their impression to the outer world and attract opportunities.

Just like emails have become more and more user friendly over time, so it will be with publishing mediums. However, publishing will require better content framing, articulation and presentation skills. Hence, it will not just be about the technology perse, but a good and quicker use of it.

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