Redesigning Work Creates a Smarter Workforce

Company culture is a hot topic. Organizations of every variety, from the smallest tech startups to the international giants, are spending time, money, and effort revitalizing the look and feel of their workplaces. The reason behind it all: To attract and retain top talent.  

The increasing emphasis on company culture is just one of countless examples of how technology is changing the HR game. Nowadays, job seekers have access to endless information online about companies and their employees. They can get a feel for the dress code and tour the break room fridge without ever having to step foot near the office. Thanks to social media, employees can now see into the lives of their coworkers without leaving their desks.

Technology has busted down office walls and changed our understanding of the places we work and the people we work with.

As technology makes the world of work increasingly transparent, HR personnel will continue to face new challenges and opportunities. Here is a look at four major workplace shifts brought on by technology and how employers are capitalizing on the insight this new data offers. 

4 Shifts Changing the Nature of Work

1. The rise of social business in the workplace - Social tools allow us to connect with one another quicker than ever before. Employers who have embraced these tools have seen productivity skyrocket. These platforms also generate massive amounts of data. Data that uncovers details about employee behaviors, morale, and performance and can be used to enhance engagement and employee satisfaction.
2. The rise of big data analytics - Data is changing the way companies recruit and retain employees. Determining how to attract potential candidates was once a guessing game. Now, employers use data generated from online job sourcing sites to actively gather, organize, and analyze the behavior of job seekers. With this type of insight, HR professionals can tweak how they design their job descriptions and how they manage their workplace cultures to develop and retain employees. 
3. The rise of mobile technology - With information available at your fingertips, decisions are made on-the-go. Connectivity makes collaboration easier and faster. Time and location no longer dictate interactions. Traditional schedules and strict vacation breaks are becoming a thing of the past. 
4. The rise of the independent worker - Technology has made the expansion of personal networks virtually limitless. People everywhere are connecting with one another, pursing the work they want to do with the people they want to do it with. Employers, too, are networking. By building their own webs of talent, they can fill positions more efficiently and regularly bring in new talent with fresh ideas.    

If we can harness the power of big data and combine it with human insight, we have the potential to bring people and their employers closer together. We can match people with the places who need them. Fill gaps with the right set of skills. The result is an empowered, thriving, and productive workforce. What is better for people is better for business. Ultimately, it’s a win-win.