We are in the age where human potential meets cutting-edge technology, where the ordinary workplace transforms into an extraordinary hub of innovation and efficiency. Workplace technology has drastically reshaped operational procedures as well as consumer behaviours and expectations, so much so that failure to join the train is an assured means to be left behind.
The Tech-enhanced Workplace is not just the present, it is also the future of work as technology keeps evolving. All companies who have made their mark and continue to leave footprints have all embraced tech. Let’s look at just four of such companies and the methods they employed to ensure they are not left behind.
- Nike: Nike’s innovative use of technology has helped them create unique products, enhance customer experiences, and stay ahead of the competition in the sports industry. In 2017, Nike chose to stop selling to wholesalers and make a plan for connecting directly with their customers. In a bid to get closer to their current and future audience, Nike took advantage of what business technology could do to build apps that expanded the company's services. In this way, they built a community for users, thus increasing e-commerce sales by 42% in 2022.
Salesforce: Salesforce is known for its customer relationship management (CRM) software. They have successfully embraced cloud-based technology, allowing businesses to access and manage customer data from anywhere. Their commitment to user-friendly interfaces and regular updates has made them a leader in the CRM industry.
- Walmart: The leading retail giant recognises the importance of technology in business. According to its CTO, Suresh Kumar, at Collision Toronto 2022, embracing technology has helped the company in delivering value and keeping its brand promise. The use of information systems and AI allows Walmart to improve its operations and provide a better shopping experience for customers.
- Paykobo.com: Not to blow our own trumpet, but why else would we be a B2B ecommerce tech company if not because we have embraced technology? But more seriously, in 2018, we recognised the need to bring more value to businesses and chose a clearer part - B2B ecommerce tech. This brought about a difference in our operations and helped us bring value to businesses. Even more importantly, one of our core values is collective learning which ensures that we stay abreast of evolving technology. Thus, we are not left behind in the ever-evolving world of tech.
Making the Difference
Irrespective of your industry (as illustrated above), there are practical steps to implement to make the difference in your workspace. The tips below guarantee that you leverage technology to improve daily routines, processes, or team collaboration.
Identify Opportunities for Improvement
To successfully implement technology in the workplace, you have to first know what the company needs. This entails understanding the specific challenges and areas where technology will make a difference. You have to ensure that the objective aligns with the workplace goal for the successful adoption of technology.
In the words of Jay Tipton, the CEO and owner of Technology Specialists,
“... clients need to write down everything they want the technology to do — absolutely everything.
“What’s their pie-in-the-sky idea? First, you learn what that is, then you try to tick off as many boxes as you can while keeping the cost in mind.
“There have been times when I’ve had to demand information even if my upper decision makers didn’t understand the importance of it. I’ve said, ‘If we don’t have this info, we’ll waste a ton of money.'”
Research Technological Solutions
Involve key stakeholders, department heads, and employees to gain insights into their pain points and expectations from the technology. With a clear goal in place, it will be easier to know what to buy. But this step requires adequate research. You’ll need to conduct a thorough assessment of the current technology infrastructure, access the employees' pain points, and identify the technology that can help them ease tasks and that will align with the workplace goal.
Implementation Blueprint
This step involves careful planning. Analyse the financial resources and personnel required for the change. By assembling a team, everyone is on the same page, and get them familiar with the tools early. The process also ensures that adequate resources are allocated to the change, so costs are minimised and operations are not disrupted.
Launch and Monitor the New Technology
It is crucial to monitor the workflow with the new technology to make wise decisions in the future. It allows you to identify potential problems and come up with solutions to tackle them. You can also create a feedback system for employees to share how effective the technology hardware and software are for the team.
Conclusion
From the foregoing, it is clear that making the difference in your workspace is in your hands. The tech-enhanced workplace is no longer a distant dream but a tangible reality for businesses worldwide. Want to unlock unprecedented growth, efficiency, and productivity? EMBRACE TECH. Looking for more companies who consistently prove that the tech-enhanced workplace makes the difference? Click here.
