The Three Generations of Business Evolution

1. The Industrial Revolution

During the Industrial Revolution, individuals sought jobs for survival. Their primary concern was meeting the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. People worked in one place and remained there regardless of circumstances—even if their boss was ill-mannered or physically abusive. The mindset was “The boss is always right” because opportunities were limited. This describes the era of our grandparents in today’s workforce.

2. The Information Revolution

With the Information Revolution came the rise of IT companies and global brands. During this period, people no longer worked purely for survival, since their parents had already ensured that. Instead, they worked to achieve a standard of living. The focus shifted to earning a salary that would cover a home loan, car payments, and children’s education. This reflects the generation of our parents.

Job loyalty also changed—though, in reality, true loyalty was never absolute. In the Industrial era, people had little choice. In the Information era, however, options opened up. If employees found a better workplace, higher compensation, or improved opportunities, they did not hesitate to switch jobs.

3. The Digital or Social Revolution

After the 2008 recession, the Information Revolution began to fade. Today, information is freely available—anyone can learn coding from YouTube or other platforms. Knowledge is no longer hidden. We have now entered the Digital or Social Revolution.

In this era, survival is not a concern—our grandparents secured that. Standard of living is no longer the priority—our parents established that. Even workers at the grassroots level enjoy modern amenities such as satellite television. As a result, if employers attempt to bind them with contracts or reduce their pay, their response is often: “Thank you very much, I’ll find another job.”

Today’s workforce seeks something entirely different: quality of life, not just standard of living. This means they value the quality of the workplace, including the job itself, the environment, the role, opportunities for learning, growth, recognition, and rewards. Unless organizations create mechanisms to ensure this, they will continue to struggle with employee retention.

Resumes are fine, but let’s be honest - they don’t really show who you are. Anyone can say “creative” or “hardworking,” but a portfolio is proof.

It’s your chance to let your work speak for itself. Whether you’re a designer, writer, developer, or consultant, people want to see what you’ve done, not just read about it.

A portfolio builds trust, makes you stand out, and even opens doors you didn’t expect. It’s not only for others - it’s also for you. When you put your work together, you see your own growth, strengths, and progress.

And the best part? You don’t need a hundred things to start. Just share a few projects you’re proud of, keep it simple, and keep updating as you go.

✨ In today’s world, your portfolio is more than a collection of work - it’s your story, your brand, and your biggest opportunity.