Welcome to the Age of Hyperspecialization

A session at SXSW Interactive 2012

The work of the future will be atomized, with many workers doing pieces of what is today a single job. The hyperspecialization of workers may be inevitable given the quality, speed and cost advantages it offers- and the power it gives individuals to devote flexible hours to tasks of their choice. Just like craft workers of the past, knowledge workers, or hyperspecialists, will engage in peripheral activities that could be done better or more cheaply by others. Using real world business examples the panel will explore directed innovation through hyperspecialization.

About the speakers

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Robert Hughes

Pres & COO, TopCoder Inc

In June 2001, Robert Hughes was named President and Chief Operating Officer of TopCoder, Inc. of Glastonbury, Connecticut. He is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company. Prior to his role at TopCoder, Hughes served as the Chief Operating Officer of Tallán Inc. since 1997. Tallán is an Internet professional services firm that creates fully-integrated, technologically advanced solutions for their clients. During his tenure with Tallán, the company was recognized as one of the fastest-growing technology companies in North America four years in a row by consultancy firm Deloitte & Touche and by Inc. magazine for its outstanding performance. In 2000, CMGI, Inc. acquired a majority ownership of the company.

This person is speaking at this event.

Christina Hamlin

Creative Dir, Project Ham

Christina Hamlin is an independent user experience design and technology consultant with over a decade in the creative field. As a former Creative Director for TopCoder, she has well over five years experience in the utilization of hyperspecialization through crowd-sourcing. Her primary focus as of late has been tablet and mobile app development. Her clients include a FORTUNE® Global 500 consulting firm where she has introduced the hyperspecialization concept, with great results. She spoke this year at the TopCoder Innovation Summit. Christina earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Hartford Art School in 1999 with a focus on graphic design, photography and art history.