Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1370374
24 PalletCentral • May-June 2021 palletcentral.com Five Years From Now … and Counting In the future, Marks believes there will be a much younger workforce. "Due to the current economy and the headaches from COVID-19, older owners are selling off their company or empowering the next generation to take over," says Marks. "Many just want out, no matter what. Younger leaders are team builders who value flexibility and mobility as a corporate culture. And, they will unabashedly and without regard favor technology over people all day long. So, they will be real drivers for more robotics, more automation, and AI that will minimize workforce numbers." ere are high hopes for the future because history proves itself, says Marks. "We have seen dramatic changes over the last century in business development. People adapt. People will step up, even so-called entry-level or minimum-wage workers; they are way more advanced now than compared to early 20th century workers." "Yes, there will be change. I think there is much concern on the ultimate survival of small business. I am not so concerned only because I work with a lot of larger companies, and I see the issues they face that small companies don't have to deal with. Small business is more nimble, and really drives big business forward. If you look at the list of suppliers of large companies, you would be pleasantly surprised to see the number of small businesses on it." "Amazon is a great example; there are a million small merchants who sell on Amazon. For every mom and pop that might fall away, they will be replaced by small and independent businesses that accomplish something that large business cannot do themselves because of their size. I do have confidence that people will figure it out for themselves," says Marks. e only other trend to watch, advises Marks, is to "follow the money. Trillions of dollars are being spent from the seven- to eight-year out stimulus package. e construction, infrastructure and environmental industries will receive an abundance of that money. ese growth sectors or related industries is where I would advise to gear up marketing and services for business growth. ey will all require products that will need to be distributed on pallets." Caryn Smith serves as the editor and art director of PalletCentral. She is CEO of Driven By Design LLC, a communications agency specializing in association publications for over 20 years.