How your business should adapt to a new way of working...
The workplace is changing. Increased digitisation, different pressures, and a greater leaning towards flexible working has altered the business world. Add to this how the Covid-19 crisis has forced the vast majority of staff into remote working and suddenly a new way of doing things is starting to emerge.
Yet plenty of employees still feel like they are working on too many meaningless tasks. In fact, it is the number one thing that leaves people feeling unproductive and unfulfilled at work. IT Pro Portal says that, according to Workfront’s State of Work 2020 report, UK workers are spending 31 per cent of their week dealing with “excessive emails, interruptions and wasteful meetings”.
This is a statistic that should worry business leaders. Staff that no longer feel valued or challenged are more likely to look at other opportunities. The loss of talent is one of the most expensive and time-consuming problems an organisation can face. That is why it’s time for management to address the issue and be willing to listen and adapt.
So, what is the solution?
The State of Work 2020 report continues to highlight that 90 per cent of UK workers want more modern technology options, while 76 per cent say they would like to see one centralised place to see work across the whole company. Technology is certainly important, but it is only a small part of the bigger picture.
IT Pro Portal has identified four key elements a business needs to embrace to create a more agile, motivated, and fulfilled workforce:
- Communication - Many staff members still aren’t sure what the strategy is of the organisation that they work for. It is your job to ensure that they do and that it is demonstrated in a clear and well-defined way. People also need to understand exactly what role they play in that.
- Active management - Managers need to encourage and, at times, put pressure on their team. However, to achieve the best results the company culture must be positive, open, and honest. Listen to what employees are saying and strive to grow together.
- Technology - This is important, but has to be right. Give your staff the right tools they need to succeed; including applications, systems, and software. It is a constantly evolving task and the most successful don’t stand still.
- Embrace agility - Allow more fluidity within the workplace and working week, yet be dynamic in other areas as well. Work across different teams and encourage others to do the same. Empower new leaders, uncover hidden talent, and allow people to take ownership.
Businesses have been forced into change because of a global pandemic. Now is the time to turn that into a positive and seriously assess what the future of work will look like. Those who accept and embrace that will be the ones who experience growth, both within their company and their team.
By Tom Seymour, an online content writer for alterniq inspired growth.
