Here are the digital workplace trends that are set out to transform how we do work and every aspect of a business.
For more than two years, the nation has been under the disastrous effects of Covid-19. Many aspects of people’s lives were affected. In addition, businesses worldwide, big or small, needed ways to cope lest they go under.
There are many ways that companies have found to cope with the pandemic. Most entailed significant workplace transformation and certain adjustments with rules and regulations to fit the current conditions best. Some lacked research, and some were afraid to make substantial changes and jump ship. Those who couldn’t find ways to cope (or weren’t able to implement them effectively), sadly, had to close down and remain closed.
Below are some of the changes implemented by those who took the leap of faith.
Automation in work processes
To many organizations, manual processes and transactions have always been the way. However, the manual method of doing things might not be the best idea. This is true, especially for a growing business, pandemic or not. Manual processes are cumbersome in many ways. Paper documents pile up over time and are prone to numerous risks of damage. Manual processes also demand more time and may be prone to errors.
One of the observed workplace trends is automation. Many companies have chosen to automate all the processes they can afford. The best way to do this is to have a system custom-built best suited for the business needs. Even companies in the same line have differences. Having a system custom-built is one way to make sure that you retain the identity and uniqueness of your business.
An automated system makes the process easier and faster. With the use of a computerized system, human intervention is lessened. As a result, the risk of human error decreases. Companies often use an all-in-one system or have several systems work together to cover all business needs.
Cloud-based systems
Due to the pandemic’s constraints placed upon our society, face-to-face meetings and work setups are almost impossible. This became a necessary hurdle to jump for many companies wishing to have more extended business continuity. There are many tasks and projects that need the cooperation and skills of several employees. The problem is, how will several people who are not allowed to be near each other work on one project together?
This is where the next digital workplace trend comes in. Statistics (Statista) show that the usage of cloud-based systems and databases has increased to 94% for small businesses and organizations. Furthermore, it went up to 81% for medium and large organizations since the onset of Covid-19.
Cloud-based systems provide employees with access to the same projects and resources regardless of the distance between them. Working simultaneously on the same tasks is made possible too. Since the system is cloud-based, worries about data loss due to damage can be abated. In addition, access is possible anytime, anywhere, as long as you are connected to the cloud. With the current conditions in place due to the pandemic, cloud-based systems and interactions are looking to be the future of work.
Remote and Hybrid Work Setups
All businesses need employees to produce the goods or provide the service they offer clients, and employees need the job to provide for themselves or their families. But safety protocols in place because of the pandemic make it hard to commence a physical work setup. However, with the implementation of automation and cloud-based systems in the business, the work setup becomes less complicated.
The VP and Analyst of Gartner, Gavin Tay, stated that there will be no return to the work setups implemented before the Covid-19 pandemic and that CIOs must decide on the digital workplace structure and make sure the business is capable of supporting such structure.
Remote and hybrid setups are quickly becoming one of common the modern digital workplace trends for many companies.
Remote Work Setup
Hybrid and remote work setups are some of the digital workplace trends getting a boom nowadays. Total remote work setup, also known as Work-From-Home (WFH) setup, allows employees to work remotely and do their jobs from the safety of their homes without ever having to go to the office and have face-to-face interactions with their colleagues.
There are different types of complete remote work setups. Some allow remote workers to have flexible time, and monitoring is not strictly implemented as long as they can produce the expected output at the given deadline. Some opt for having their employees install their preferred tracking software, to monitor their employees’ performance.
Hybrid Work Setup
Hybrid work setup, as the name entails, combines WFH and physical work setups. A hybrid work setup is still majorly a remote work setup, with specific periods assigned for the employee to report to the office. For example, some companies require remote workers to report to their office once or twice a week and work remotely for the rest of the week.
Some companies need employees to work in the office for two to four (2-4) months and the rest of the year working at home. Some companies only require their employees to report to the office when projects need the cooperation and physical skills of the employees.
Many workers prefer having a hybrid working setup. Hybrid working setups allow workers to have actual interactions with other team members, albeit for a short time. These interactions play a big part in maintaining the mental health of all the team members and overall giving them a better employee experience.
Both hybrid and remote work setups require a reliable, automated, cloud-based system that considers the employee experience paramount and promotes good employee engagement. A practical method of scheduling tasks, meetings, and appearances at the office must be utilized to maximize efficiency and avoid chaos with remote and hybrid setups.
Mobile-Friendly System
Having a cloud-based system for employees to use provides a much better experience. Now more than ever, maximizing the use of the cloud must be exercised to have the edge over competing businesses. One way to maximize the advantages granted by the cloud is to make your system software mobile-friendly or -compatible.
Most mobile devices nowadays, like Android or IOS phones and tablets, work like miniature computers and can access the cloud more conveniently than PCs on desktop setups. Mobile devices, as the name implies, are more portable and can be used while on the move. Having your system catered toward mobile use allows remote employees and clients to have easier access almost anytime and anywhere.
With a system accessible through mobile devices, employees shifted to a work-from-home from office work setup who do not have and were not provided with a workstation will not have the additional expense of purchasing their own PC or laptop to work with. Some companies implement the “Bring Your Own Device” or BYOD policy. The BYOD policy allows the workers to use their own devices that are available to perform their jobs.
Mobile-compatible systems are also more attractive to clients as it is a lot easier and more convenient to access and use. Most people now use their mobile devices, especially mobile phones, to conduct most online transactions, including purchasing products and availing services.
Artificial Intelligence
The next trend in the modern workplace is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some may be hesitant about AI, no doubt the effects of too many sci-fi movies. Movies and documentaries have pegged AI to be a massive part of the future; as it stands, they are not far from the mark. But the application of AI in the business we are looking at is not the sinister type of AI.
Some of AI’s beneficial applications are presented in chatbots, e-mail or request sorters, and document categorizers. Fast response to client inquiries plays a significant role in maintaining and growing the company’s client base. Quick responses to queries make former, and would-be clients feel they are being given the utmost attention and ensure a good experience. This helps maintain a good relationship with the company and secures future transactions.
Chatbots play a significant role in deploying quick responses to potential clients. Chatbots can be programmed to answer a range of questions without the intervention of humans. As long as the queries fall within the scope the chatbot can handle, it can function without supervision. To cover instances where chatbots can no longer answer the questions made, an option to connect to actual employees is provided.
Sorting and categorizing emails, requests, and documents can be tedious if done without help. This is another area where effective integration of AI is a welcome help. With AI, sorting emails, requests, and documents have become considerably more manageable. All the sorting can be conducted by the AI as long as clear criteria are provided for the sorting.
Workplace Transformation
With all the digital workplace trends booming, transformations in the workplace are unavoidable. In some cases, a total restructuring of the workplace is necessary to accommodate such changes. Some organizations have even switched to a remote working setup from a face-to-face work setting completely, after observing more advantages in it than working face-to-face by practicing it first for health security and safety protocol compliance. Whatever the reason may be, the fact remains that those who have adopted these digital workplace trends are finding more success than those who don’t.
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