Workplace 2005 In just five years, you may not even recognize the business you've created. Take a look at the shape of small business to come.

At your next company meeting, really consider who your employeesare. By 2005, it will be a very different crowd. There will be moreolder workers and, conversely, more teens. There will be fewer menand, for the first time, more Latinos than African Americans. Youmay have to get by with fewer workers overall because the labormarket will only get tighter. And you might see them only onoccasion, as telecommuting becomes even more common.

While you're at it, check out your office. By 2005, it willprobably be smaller, and you'll spend less time in it. Gonewill be the small, sequestered offices, replaced by low walls andan open environment to facilitate collaboration. And, of course, itwill be stuffed with technology we can scarcely imagine.

Not surprisingly, you and your workers will have some differentissues on your minds. They will be more concerned with certainbenefits, such as elder care, and less about others, includingcompany-paid medical insurance. You'll have bigger trainingwoes, and you may have to hire someone just to track the schedulesof all the temps, part-timers, telecommuters and other flexibleworkers on your payroll.