Problems in the workplace have been around for about as long as the concept of the workplace itself. While some of them cannot be fixed, there are ways that companies can leverage their resources to make the working environment more pleasant for everyone. For instance, it is impossible to fix a problem between two associates who are separated by a language barrier. Nonetheless, businesses can leverage translation software to help them get on the same page and be productive. So, what are some of the most common technology trends that have reshaped the workplace for the better?
Telecommuting
According to a certified health and safety consultant from Canada, Robert Butchike, telecommuting is the undisputed leader when it comes to technology that revolutionized the workplace. As per Forbes Magazine, as many as 43 percent of all American workers spend some time working outside of their place of employment. A few decades ago, this was not possible due to the fact that the needed technology did not exist. Nowadays, however, cloud-based storage where files can be saved, seamless access to work from personal laptops, and video communication via smart devices have given rise to telecommuting. Such inventions have consequently led to a boost in employee morale as jobs evolved to become more flexible than ever before.
Data Sharing
Since the team-based approach is the most common way that companies conduct their operations, software that facilitates data sharing has certainly helped with efficiency. By leveraging these types of tools, which include programs like DropBox and Google Drive, workers can almost instantaneously share files of all sizes. Doing so makes it easy to meet project deadlines as it eliminates downtime. Not to mention that it allows one to witness all changes made to any updated files in real-time.
Multi-Platform Apps
After years of experience in the professional field, Robert Butchike stresses the importance of multi-platform apps that many companies use. For example, a lot of accounting and law firms have their own encrypted apps for workers’ e-mails, online chatting, conference calls, and similar. Those who are eligible can install them across all of their devices. Why is this important? Because it will provide people with an unprecedented level of accessibility. For instance, one does not even need to have a laptop to manage important correspondence. They can simply rely on their smartphones and other internet-enabled devices. If it was not for those multi-platform apps, such convenience would not exist.
Automation Gives Rise to High-Skill Jobs
Automation is one of the most debated technological inventions of the past few decades. While many people see it as a dangerous discovery that will put millions of people out of a job, saying that it simply forces one to acquire more knowledge is much more accurate. After all, wiping out human jobs was never the goal of automation. Its objective was to simply speed up repetitive tasks and allow people to work in more meaningful roles. Chatbots would be an outstanding example here. Instead of hiring people to constantly reply to online customers, per se, using chatbots mandates those workers to learn how to navigate the technology and do things like chatbot implementation, error diagnoses, and similar.
The list goes on to include a lot more examples of forward-thinking technology that has given rise to many worker-friendly trends. Nonetheless, Mr. Butchike reminds that these four examples are the best starting point for the discussion