The average person will spend over a third of their waking hours at work. This figure should give organisations a huge nudge to ensure that their employees are able to work in the most efficient and flexible ways. A happy workforce will reflect directly on your business achievements, so what can you do to help? The way we work has changed massively over the last few decades and will continue to do so with the rate in which technologies are ever evolving. As these technologies evolve so do the capabilities of a digital workplace.
Firstly let’s look at what a digital workplace is. Here is Microsoft’s definition:
“‘Digital workplace’ is the concept that there is a virtual equivalent to the physical workplace, and that this needs to be planned and managed coherently because it is fundamental to people’s productivity, engagement and working health”
In summary, it’s a digital work environment. It should include a number of technologies and functions which provide a positive change in the way employees work. If you’re failing to keep in line with the changes then you could be putting your business at risk.
We’re going to take a look at the technologies available, how they can benefit your organisation and a few challenges you may face along the way to creating your perfect digital workplace.
Task and Technologies
The way in which people work is changing and businesses need to make sure they adapt. Employees now want the ability to work from any place, any time and on whichever their chosen device may be. The need for effective communication, collaboration, knowledge management and increased efficiency is shaping the advancements in technologies.
In a world where platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook are some of the most widely use platforms how can your business utilise this social network fever? One of the key features a digital workplace should have is some kind of enterprise social network. It has all of the features of the public social networks, such as following colleagues, interests, creating groups and adding calendar events but with the added security of being all within your secure, internal network. Examples of enterprise social networks are applications such as Yammer and SharePoint.
Learn more about the risk Shadow IT applications can pose to your organisation and the ways in which you can overcome it’s use.
Another key development in the way in work is the need for mobile working. With Firstline, or deskless, workers making up a large proportion our workforces. businesses should be making a conscious effort to give all of their employees equal access to necessary information. This could be done through a platform, such as Fresh, which provides a mobile application with push notifications available meaning no worker desk bound or out in the field will ever miss out on any important information
Your digital workplace doesn’t just need to be mobile friendly though. With the policies such as Bring Your Own device, organisations need to ensure whichever platforms they decide to use are available across any device whether it be desktop, tablet or mobile.
A great way to link all of these technologies together is through the use of a corporate intranet. Don’t just choose the first one you stumble across though! A good corporate intranet should have functions and features which are fully customisable to the specific needs of your organisation.
Benefits Breakdown
Here’s a top line look at the key benefits a digital workplace can bring your business:
- When done well, a digital workplace can provide a unified, central hub for all of your employees needs.
- It makes working flexible. Being available on any device, any time, anywhere! This could lead to increased employee satisfaction which only ever reflects positively on your organisation.
- Any good digital workplace will provide a secure area, where documents, policies and knowledge can be shared and located with ease. This will aid and encourage simple collaboration without the need for various document versions being sent between employees. Reduced risk of errors and increased productivity
- Improved employee communication and efficiency! With the help from an enterprise social network platform, the volume of unnecessary back and forth emails will drastically reduce, communications can be made in “real-time” and company culture will improve with people being able to easily share and discover common interests.
Typical Troubles
As with any project or change, creating your digital workplace won’t be without challenges. One of the initial challenges you’re likely to face, across most proposals, is getting those key stakeholders onboard. Be prepared to present a good business case, highlight the benefits to them such as increased employee productivity and secure communications.
Changing the mindset of employees. You may have old Legacy systems in place which people are familiar with, are cautious of coming away from, so you need to think about how to bring their way of thinking round to the ways of the digital workplace. The best way round this is to encourage employee involvement from as early as possible in your journey. Show them that everything you’re doing is to help make their work life easier.
Keen to know more about what a digital workplace could look like in your organisation? If you want some more information about how to get started or even help with problems you’re facing on your existing journey, get in touch with us today.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”How to Deliver Effective Communications in your Organisation” style=”3d”]The challenge for businesses in the modern age is keeping a consistent tempo to work; a reliability to workplace environments; leadership in operations and universal touchpoints that reach across the entire organisation. This whitepaper takes a closer look at the importance of internal communications in a changing business landscape and the role a company’s intranet plays in improving business fluidity and function.
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