New technology is helping to shape the modern workspace
There have been huge advancements in technology in recent years and this not only affects employee behaviour but it also has a significant impact on what the modern workforce expects from their employer.
In 2016, a poll was conducted of close to 4 000 staff members, from businesses that ranged in size from small to large, in 10 different countries. The 2016 Future Workforce Study reveals that nearly half of these employees consider their workspace not smart enough. In addition, 42% of employees (who are also millennials) confirm that they would leave their current position because of substandard technology, with 82% admitting that workplace technology plays a part in where they decide to work.
What this means is that collaborative tools and innovative technology (such as the internet of things) will soon become vital in the workplace of the future. Employees themselves have realised just how effective new innovation is, in helping them to do their jobs better, and they are requesting the latest technology so they can boost their productivity. New technology provides businesses with an opportunity to be a leader in their industry, attracting the best of a future workforce.
Change is coming to how we communicate
New innovation is having an impact on how staff members communicate with each other, how they collaborate with each other and how they work with each other. According to the study, 57% of the employees state that they prefer their meetings to be conducted in person, while 51% of those polled (along with 3 in 5 millennials) believe that these types of meetings will be a thing of the past in the near future. In a smart office, employees will be more effective and productive as they will have the latest communication technology at their disposal and will communicate using more collaborative means.
Virtual reality might be here sooner that you think
The very latest in technology includes innovation like Artificial Intelligence (AI), and this could have a significant impact in the way we work. You would think that it’s just the millennial generation that is embracing this convergence, however, they are not alone. The study reveals that 66% of those polled will use this new technology in their professional capacity, while 62% are confident that AI is going to make it easier to do their job, and 50% think the technology will allow them to be more productive.
The focus shifts to remote employment
New technologies have already left their mark on the lifestyle of the modern workforce, with employers agreeing to more flexible working arrangements to accommodate mobile employees. What is becoming evident is the importance of new technology and evolving collaboration, particularly when your workforce consists of millennials.
Not only will this influence an employer’s decision making, but it will also have an impact on how we adopt new technology and communication tools, and our willingness to adapt to flexible working environments. When you have a modern workspace that is technologically advanced, it creates a workforce that is not only productive but also content, and those workplaces that don’t enact these new advances face the real risk of being left behind.
PLP Group works hard to deliver programmes that keep employees engaged and productive. Speak to us to find out how. Call PLP Group today on 011 449 7300.
