Compass Trend #32: The Rise of Robotics and Automaton Continues (Especially in the Efficient Society)

Robots Rule
Since the costs of health care and employees benefit are rising, the smart employers are beginning to think about the different ways to reduce costs. Implementing robotics and data automation are some of their current choices. Idealistically, it could begin by having a robot who can do the work of 10-20 employees, one employee to check on the performance of the robot's and a part time employee to maintain the operating standard of the robot.  

To be efficient, the smart employers are focused on being operationally efficient.

Automation Rules
According to Alibaba.com, going into 2013 78% of the 600 U.S. small business owners surveyed plan to automate to cut costs and streamline operations, 49% plan to create a new e-commerce website and 87% do not plan to hire additional employees. This tends to show that small business owners are seeking ways to operate within the difficult economic climate.

63% Expect the Economy to Remain Unchanged or Weaken Further
It would seem that with the majority of small business owners that were surveyed by Alibaba.com stating that they expect the economy to stay the same (33%) or worsen (30%) in 2013, that their optimism about their own business revenue for 2013 would suffer. But, that was not the case. Of the 600 small business owners that were surveyed, only 21% expect lower revenue, while 46% actually expect an increase in revenue (the remaining 33% are uncertain). This supports the reputation of small business owners and entrepreneurs being eternally optimistic and always looking for ways to make lemonade when given lemons.
Source: docstoc.com

Click here for more stats,  As mentioned before, this is the beginning of the end for the low end jobs. 

Before you decide to automate your business, spend some time assessing the configuration of your situation.  Identify the possible problems and the obstacles. Next, determine whether you have the resources to adjust to that specific situation. It would be a smart move on your part.

Side Note
We predicted this trend of fast food eateries replacing their human workers with robots  in 2010.  ... It is only a matter of time that this will be a reality.   ...

Think about it, when the utilization of machines becomes the operational norm of the working world, where would the "real" blue collar jobs be? ...

Connect this dot of information with this dot. Then continue the connection  process with this dot, this dot and this dot. Now, look at the Big Tangible Picture.

Identify the specifics of your position. Connect it to all of the above-mentioned dots. Ask yourself, are you currently ahead or behind the "social-economic" curve?