Digital transformation comes in the form of skills reorientation or automation. These processes are geared towards creating greater efficiency in the workplace. The digitization of the workplace is evident with the growth of IoT, smartphones, robotics, and natural language processing.
Digital transformations are a byproduct of technological changes, and it’s important for companies to adapt to these changes. Business leaders readily acknowledge that technological changes are incredibly challenging. It’s important for companies to take the necessary steps to manage this disruptive change in order to maintain business momentum and achieve organizational objectives.
The workplace is a hive of activity where interconnected teams are working in a synergistic manner to achieve overall business objectives. Unfortunately, the complexities of the business world warrant drastic changes in terms of internal systems and processes that are used to bring about effective digital transformation.
Workplaces are facing challenges in the form of skilled labor shortages, and this is impacting companies in all economies. Management consultancy experts estimate that a global talent deficit running into tens of millions is currently building up. This is most evident in information technology where demand far outstrips the supply of available talent.
To counter these challenges, companies are investing in digital skills training and a culture of continuous learning. This is driving innovation within the workforce. Digital transformation is a pervasive phenomenon and one which is set to increase exponentially in the coming years. Companies face demands for fully engaged workforces which are adaptable, agile and able to implement digital transformation. In coming years, employees with AI experience and cybersecurity skills will be in demand and organizations be looking to fill vacancies in increasing numbers. This is known as ‘future proofing’ your company to meet the tech deficit.
Industry reports indicate that an estimated 51% of IT decision makers and professionals in the United Kingdom believe that they need to further develop their cyber skills within 5 years. The same report also found that 48% of IT candidates are eager to gain certification in cybersecurity.
The current situation is such that only a limited number of employees are capable of changing their career prospects in their companies. The digital transformation initiatives require employees to accept valuable roles beyond their current skill set. Many of these vocations include artificial intelligence and robotics automation solutions (such as Kyron), HR automation technologies, and self-service constructs among others.
A report by Dell Technologies (Realizing 2030 Report) published an astonishing finding: 85% of jobs slated to be available in 2030 have not even been invented. As such, employees will need to focus on future tech as a means of driving growth and developing their skill set. Management and leadership is responsible for undertaking these intensive training and development programs.
Automation will be required to explore creative working styles and augment current activities. It is important that an effective set of tools is provided to support this new organizational culture. The learning methodology needs to be tailored to individual needs and preferences, or risk failure. Business culture and technological changes need to evolve side-by-side to ensure collaborative learning in the pursuit of company objectives.
The Paradigm Shift in the Workplace
Many companies wrongly assume that the purchase of a digital solution is the end of digital transformation in the workplace. The real test of the digital transformation begins when it is implemented internally, and evaluated for efficacy over time. In other words, the digital transformation products and services need to be used in order to be understood. A digital workplace is best defined by how the company uses digital transformation in day-to-day operations.
Workplace transformation is evident in today’s business world for several reasons, namely managing mounds of information, capturing data, and facilitating rapid processing. In the quest for digital workplace transformation, companies must pursue several steps for the transformation to be complete. These include the following elements:
- A full assessment of where the company is headed and what stage of the digital transformation process the company is currently in.
- Developing a digital transformation strategy with corporate objectives in mind.
- Crafting a collaborative culture from the top down. Digital transformation software can help in this regard.
- Creating a digital skill set to ensure successful implementation and adoption of the software and systems.
- Implementing change management from executive leadership through to grassroots level employees.
A New Workplace Design and Culture is Unfolding
Workplace design also needs to change when digital transformation is brought into the reckoning. The corporate workspace is changing, and it’s thanks to technological innovation that these developments are now taking place. We are seeing greater levels of collaboration and interaction. Companies are breaking down barriers between management and employees, and the company and its external stakeholders.
Free flows of information, ideas and expertise are the norm. The formal structure is changing to harness all of these opportunities. It’s all about agility, creativity, and engagement. Thanks to digital transformation, businesses are using the IoT, artificial intelligence, mobile communications and social media to engage more quickly and more effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
