1. AUTOMATION There was a time when the term "automation" was tightly associated with advanced manufacturing plants full of robotics. While it is true that this is a prime example of workplace automation – the process of replacing human labor with machine labor – it is far from the only example. Automation is present in modern businesses small and large, ranging from subtle features in common software applications to more obvious implementation, like self-driving vehicles. There is much debate about where workplace automation will lead the economy, but observers tend to agree on one thing: The trend is only gaining momentum. Every business process, such as human resource management and customer service departments, is on the table for automation, especially as technology becomes more sophisticated. No matter what the outcome, automation will undoubtedly change the workplace and, indeed, the wider economy. The only question is how much will it drastically tra...