Digitally, Yours or Future-Forward – What’s Drives a Smart Workplace?

Digitally, Yours or Future-Forward – What’s Drives a Smart Workplace?

It’s the year 2030. You’re greeted at the office by a robot that’s offering you tea/coffee. The lights switch on and the blinds open automatically in your office pod – without you having to lift a finger. Does this seem like a reality that’s taking shape in a galaxy far, far away? Think again.
Smart office and digital workplaces are dominating the future and the future is now.

Futuristic Workplaces have the “Smarts” for Digital Transformation:

Advanced communication and a convenience-driven lifestyle have created a forward-looking workforce – one that’s highly-engaged, productive, and more capable than ever before.
Naturally, in order to keep up with their dynamic pace, workplaces need to change their tune and embrace innovative digital workplace solutions that are technologically-sound. If they fail to do so, every lost opportunity will lead to an “Ex” employee. Backing this claim is Randstad which says that 40% of workers would quit if their workplace lacked state-of-the-art digital tools. Plus, research by Nokia suggests that an American smartphone user checks their phone once every six-and-a-half minutes! In short, people today are heavily reliant on technology – be it in a personal or professional capacity.

The message is loud-and-clear: Employees today are ready for a workplace that’s:

• Flexible and adaptive to their changing lifestyles.
• A balanced blend of people-centricity and digital technology goals.
• Spearheads digital-first thinking and gives rise to smart spaces.

Changing Dimensions of the Dynamic Workplace
– 4 Key Factors for Successful Implementation & Seamless Adoption.
An explosion of smart workplace technologies and employee lifestyle changes have brought about a tectonic shift in the way organizations and people operate today. For instance, a recent study suggests that 60 percent of the time, Fortune 1000 company employees are not at their desks. In such a scenario, an integrative use of modern work styles and maturing technologies such as Video Conferencing, Robotics, AI, Machine Learning, and Cloud Computing becomes imperative.
Additionally, research by MetLife demonstrates that 56 percent of employers view automation technologies like AI, analytics, and robotics in a positive light. All in all, digital workplaces and smart offices as concepts are gaining momentum and finding a huge fan base in today’s Gen-Z. To that end, let’s list the 4 factors that can translate a static, physical workplace mindset into a more dynamic and digital one:

1. Prepare ahead for the arrival of the Digital Revolution. To start with, train your employees to become technology- friendly, thus giving birth to the “digitally-fluent” generation.
2. Going digital means diving deep into data mines. Create a mechanism to organize information that can be  accessed in a quick, systematic, and efficient manner.
3. Move strategically from solely-physical office space to a physical (office), virtual (electronic tools), social (a network of team, managers and customers), and mental (company’s values, beliefs, and goals) one.
4. The end-goal should be to create a digitally-driven work vibe that feels personal, collaborative, mobile-enabled, and employee-oriented – all at the same time.

Multi-Purpose Technology, Infinite Advantages:

Even though the rate at which smart technology is discouragingly slow, digital-first workplaces are finding their footing gradually. If implemented properly, organizations stand to gain a multitude of benefits, namely:

Impactful business advantages such as:

1. Real-time insights into performance, growth, problem areas, potential, etc.
2. Use of innovative technology such as robotics and AI that helps reduce costs frees up resource time by offloading repetitive tasks and inspires people to be more productive and creative.

Enhanced efficiency and access to in-depth information anytime, anywhere – Courtesy of digital knowledge-sharing platforms.

1. Faster, global interactions due to virtual inter-connectedness.
2. Rise of intelligent, collaborative, and agile business environment that benefit individuals and organization together.

Real-time insights into performance, growth, problem areas, potential, etc.
Use of innovative technology such as robotics and AI that helps reduce costs frees up resource time by offloading repetitive tasks and inspires people to be more productive and creative.

Closing Thoughts:
Workplace trends such as “BYOD” (Bring Your Own Device) and the creation of private spaces such as “office pods” are making life easier for everyone. Armed with greater flexibility, employees are driven to contribute more and be more. Perhaps, the irony of it all is that virtual systems can liven up any work space – if only seen through smart, futuristic prisms that throw light on “next-gen” technologies. So the real question isn’t about choosing between digital or future workforce, it is about combining both to leverage the values and benefits of tomorrow, today.