The wave of innovation is bringing with it new industries which require new skill sets and a different way of doing business.
This is according to Dion Chang, CEO of Flux Trends, who will be one of the speakers at the sixth edition of Autodesk's University Extension event for design, architectural and engineering professionals.
Chang says machines are rising fast and changing how jobs are done and this requires new skill sets as well as retrofitting infrastructure to make new technologies work.
He notes most companies are focused on the technology aspect of innovation, but are not looking at the disruption it is causing the work environment.
While there are amazing technologies that are being invented, companies need to re-create their environments and infrastructure for the machines to work, he adds.
According to Simon Bromfield, channel manager at AutoDesk SA, technology is giving organisations the ability to innovate but siloed and vertically oriented companies are not able to keep up to the pace of change.
"There is a tsunami that is about to hit corporate structures and they understand that coming, but there is some level of arrogance - with the C-suite thinking they know what they are doing."
Chang says a lot of companies look at innovation as a separate entity - creating innovation hub or departments which are separate from the rest of the company. As a result, the rest of the company separates itself from the innovation process.
But, for innovation to be successful, organisations have to foster a culture where everyone is participating, says Chang.
He adds innovation is about company culture and having a flat structure - everyone should know what's happening in the organisation and should have a chance to participate in the process.
On the other hand, nimble organisations that foster innovation require a new way of doing business and this requires employees to acquire new skill sets, notes Chang.
Also, there is skills gap in the leadership itself especially within established organisations - they are focused on just improving what they do, but the fact is most of these businesses need a complete restructuring, he says.
Chang believes companies need to start upskilling their employees.
"One thing I am proposing is that your corporate social investment policy be inward-looking, so that when machines do rise, employees have a fighting chance to keep their jobs."
The theme of the Autodesk's University Extension event is "The future of making things". Other speakers include Autodesk's explorer in residence, Jonathan Knowles, and Kostas Samaras, territory head for Africa at Autodesk.
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