A virtual workplace to replace the physical one : How does it work and why should all organizations adopt it
Today’s employees expect more than just a physical place occupied during office hours as a workplace. Today’s employees come from a connected background and a connected generation, looking for information everywhere, impatient and creative.
In the last decade, the workforce around the globe has known important changes such as:
1 – Average age : Baby boomers start to retire taking with them all the expertise and the knowledge, and new generations of workers have arrived with different habits and backgrounds.
2 – Information explosion : Big Data is no longer a big or scary word, the more available the information the more it becomes harder for employees to find what they need, when exactly needed.
3 – Lack of time : Deadlines and fast work rhythms make employees need fast processes and workflows.
Imagine giving them a workplace where all needed information and reaching out to colleagues are just a few clicks away. Yes ! That would definitely raise productivity and
create a more joyful and communicative workplace, isn’t that what you want for your organization ?
Digital workplace is a very loose concept, it can be defined in many ways. Indeed, and despite the huge interest the idea of digitalized workplace is having through the years, we still do not have a fixed and unique definition of it.
Just like the physical workplace has many forms and adapts to the very specific needs of each organization, a digital workplace is also designed to be tailored to exact needs and contexts.
Now, how to implement an optimized and efficient Digital Workplace ? The key note is : Strategy – one that is able to start a real change and install a new collaboration culture.
An effective digital strategy must comprise three important components
1 – People : Employees should be at the heart of the Digital strategy, theirs needs, goals, objectives….
2 – Tools : The “digital” part of the strategy requires equipement, technologies and software of its implementation.
3 – Culture : With the tools and the people combined, a whole new work experience is being created, becoming the very foundation and the “culture” of your organization. The new culture must be evolved around communication and employee engagement.
In closing, the companies who will be competitive in the future will be those that break down the gap between individuals, technology and the workforce. If there are no barriers dividing the workforce, everyone will be highly motivated to do their job, to be creative and productive WHEREVER they are.