Gone are the days when a typical work desk would look synonymous with a pile of paperwork. In the digital era, the office is not the only place where work happens. As more and more organizations and employees are shifting to virtual workplaces or managing the tasks digitally, the workplace of today looks starkly different. Digital workplaces are known to foster efficiency, drive growth, and innovation. Let’s take an in-depth look at the modern digital workplace. 

The digital framework

The digital framework explains why we need digital workplaces and also how to implement digital tools. Here are four pillars of the digital framework that will help every organization to understand where and how digitization can help in leveraging their business. 

• Use

Time lost in communication is a huge opportunity cost for the organization. The digital workplace enables employees to collaborate, communicate, and connect without any middlemen or loss of time. This allows seamless knowledge sharing across the organization.  

• Technology

The digital world has a multitude of options to offer to digitize workplaces. However, every organization must choose the right mix of tools that suits the organization’s needs. The right tools will accelerate the outcome and will streamline all the necessary processes. Selecting the right tools is incredibly important as the wrong ones will add up to the costs.  

• Control

The most important benefit of the digital workplace is dissolving boundaries and creating open offices where communication barriers cease to exist. However, this calls for appropriate controls and management processes. Make sure that the autonomy provided by digitization for communication and knowledge flow suits your organization’s culture and mission. 

• Business drivers

Digitization of the workplace will call for different business drivers and the need to redefine the direction of business activities. Though digitization speeds up the processes, it is crucial to set a clear path for achieving business objectives in order to maintain a steady growth trajectory. 

Challenges and case studies

Standard Chartered Bank

The financial crisis of 2009 called for the strengthening of customer relationships in order to survive the crisis. The international bank soon realized that retaining customers is not all about pushing newer products but also about making the customer experience a smooth and pleasant journey. 

Measures taken 

The bank soon digitized its service offering by bringing its most used services on their mobile application. Customers no longer had to wait at the bank or take appointments in advance to avail the services. The mobile application provided essential services as well as advanced ones. The measures were not just implemented for the customers but also for employees. Banking processes were digitized to simplify and streamline everyday business activities, transmit data, and improve communication between employees and customers. 

Alaska Airlines

Alaska airlines wanted to cut down on its operational costs and reduce the weight of material carried by pilots on a flight for repository information. 

Measures Taken

iPads were provided to pilots that contained all the repository information, instant updates for manuals before and after a flight. The iPad replaced all the manuals that pilots used. As a result of this, Alaska airlines has managed to save 2.4 million pieces of paper and reduced the flight weight of these paper manuals by 25 lbs.      

Factors to consider for building the digital toolbox

Strategic alignment

Your digital strategy must always align with your organization’s values and mission. The aim of digitization is not just to create a modern workplace but also to strengthen the organization’s mission statement.  

Think about collaborative digitization

Don’t just digitize a particular process in the organization. Think about the holistic digital strategy where the entire organization can benefit from digitization. 

Understand the culture mix 

Your organization’s culture and demographics are the most critical parameters to be considered while implementing digital strategies. Analyze how technology-friendly your workforce is and if they are willing to adapt to new changes in the organization. 

Train employees and make it easy

When there’s a fundamental change in the way the organization functions, employees are front burners who take the heat. Hence, while digitizing the organization, training employees is the most crucial step. Ensure that your employees have adequate resources to adapt to the new digital revolution at the workplace.  

Digitization has changed the face of the modern workplace. It is safe to say that it’s not anymore just an option but a dire need to grow the business.