Robot in the Next Cubicle: What You Need to Know to Adapt and Succeed in the Automation Age

by Larry Boyer

This optimistic and useful look at the coming convergence of automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence, shows how we can take advantage of this revolution in the workplace, crafting "robot-proof jobs" and not fearing "the robocalypse."It's called the Fourth Industrial Revolution--a revolution fueled by analytics and technology--that consists of data-driven smart products, services, entertainment, and new jobs. Economist and data scientist Larry Boyer lays out the wealth of exciting possibilities this revolution brings as well as the serious concerns about its disruptive impact on the lives of average Americans. Most important, he shows readers how to navigate this sea of change, pointing to strategies that will give businesses and individuals the best chance to succeed and providing a roadmap to thriving in this new economy.Boyer describes how future workers may have to think of themselves as entrepreneurs, marketing their special talents as valuable skills that machines cannot do. This will be especially important in the coming employment climate, when full-time jobs are likely to decrease and industries move toward contract-based employment. He provides guidelines for identifying your individual talents and pursuing the training that will make you stand out. He also shows you how to promote your personal brand to give more exposure to your unique skills.Whether we like it or not, automation will soon transform the work place and employment prospects. This book will show you how to look for and take advantage of the opportunities that this revolution presents.

268 pages, Paperback

Published August 7, 2018

About the author

Larry Boyer is a Futurist, Economist, Technologist and Coach, who is recognized across disciplines for helping people and businesses excel through economic uncertainties and disruption. He founded Success Rockets LLC in the wake of the financial crisis to help individuals whose lives and careers were disrupted to define a new future. The Fourth Industrial Revolution stands to bring to businesses and workers alike and Larry is ready to help.

Reviews

[Ashley Marc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing.
Author goes on rambling about how the 4th Industrial Revolution is arriving, filling page after page to convince readers of the change.
He overly focuses on industrial robots when err, less than a fourth of Americans work in factories (and at the historical peak, only a third of Americans worked in the manufacturing sector). The greater threat is in offices and the service sector, where it's less robots and more algorithms that are spearheading disruption. But there is little mention of that.
The advice laid out is too generic and superficial. E.g. he advises for readers to perform a personal SWOT and then explains each of the letters but doesn't dig further into this crucial aspect. He could have for instance taken note of the lenses under which to consider these elements (regulatory, technological, sociocultural, etc...).
He seems to advocate for gig jobs or entrepreneurship, pointing to the successes of Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and a handful of others. That's like pointing to Brad Pitt or Roger Federer to say one should pursue a career in acting or tennis to escape the perils of automation. Is that to say that the entire workforce should quit their jobs to start their own business?
Chapter 8 was the most pragmatic and interesting. If you have the book in your hands, I recommend you read that chapter only. In it the author invites readers to unveil their own beliefs, core values, vision and mission statement, emulating what smart businesses do, only bringing it to a personal level.
The final advice in chapter 10 to avoid disruption is a bit cynical, with things like "Stay positive", "Embrace change" and so forth.

I know it sounds terribly self-aggrandizing to end a review this way, but I invite anyone disappointed in the lack of concrete answers from this book to take a shot at my own, which is very similar in its purpose but follows up more on what we can do about it:
"AI Battle Royale: How to protect your job from disruption in the 4th Industrial Revolution"
Because it was written with the genuine intent of helping others
And don't hesitate to criticize it in your review, on condition of having actually read it though ;)

[Shimista · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the right time for history/technology lessons. Stopped at page 59

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

While some of the history Boyer included was interesting and useful, some seemed like a waste of my time. Half of his career suggestions seemed too generic to be useful for this particular topic. Preferred The Future of Work: Robots, AI, and Automation to this one.

Reviewed both books for The Oklahoman.

[Angie Tang]

hi :)