Technological innovations continue to reshape industries and how they operate. New technology gets adopted quickly by various companies and many of these companies are dependent on the technology to help them achieve success. Nowadays, technology influences not only companies and various businesses, but employees as well. Everyone relies on technology to efficiently complete their work.
Even though technological advancements were intended to make jobs easier, they simplified the process but increased work volumes tenfold. Now modern workplaces look like something that was considered science fiction not so long ago. Thanks to the technology, even a single employee is able to produce more work output than entire teams of workers back in the day, when technology wasn’t that present in the workplace. That being said, here are a few ways how technology made an impact on the modern workplace.
Improved efficiency
As mentioned before, technology helps employees do much more than they possibly could without it. Today, completing tasks is easier than ever with the aid of computers, smartphones and other various devices. Technological improvements created a digital environment in the modern workplace. Employees are no longer drowning in mountains of paperwork and are now enjoying a paperless office. Communication and file sharing between employees, as well as between offices is now seamless.
Not so long ago, you’d have to send paperwork via fax machine, which was a significant improvement from sending files via courier or via post office. Try imagining today’s quantities of data and files being shared over a fax machine. It would take weeks to complete what only takes seconds today. Data and information are stored in a cloud and can be easily accessed by any employee anywhere in the world.
Tools of the trade
Technology hasn’t only created a better work environment and conditions, but has also provided workplaces with tools and gadgets that improve work efficiency of each member of an organization. Before computers came along, people used to create documents on a typewriter. Today, computers aren’t the only tool that helps employees do their job more efficiently. Various software helps employees finish tasks, communicate, collaborate and produce new products or services.
Technology becomes integrated into tools of the trade, in order to continuously improve performance. A good example is the implementation of the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology into modern workplaces. For instance, AI powers chatbots that offer seamless customer service and support to consumers. In addition, AI can be found in the legal industry, helping people in and outside of the court with reliable legal transcription to minimize human errors, which can have costly consequences. Modern technology powers every tool used by workers to help make their jobs a lot easier.
Reliable resources
Technology allowed companies to utilize the full potential of their resources. Nowadays, companies can easily operate on a global market and open up remote offices anywhere in the world. Thanks to the improved computing power, improved connectivity and fast internet speed, modern workplaces can consist of both in-house teams and remote employees. Remote work allows employers to expand their search for a cultural fit and talent pool to a global scale and not only in their vicinity.
Not only that, but working from home or a co-working space offers employees more flexibility and an opportunity to achieve work-life balance. That doesn’t only make employees more productive, but it improves the overall performance of the entire company. Moreover, people have more opportunities to find employment thanks to remote work. They can expand their search to other countries and even other continents to find an ideal company to work for.
Downside of a technology-powered workplace
With all the benefits modern technology brought into organizations and workplaces, there are also downsides that portray the other side of the coin. Technology forces more connectivity and engagement from both employers and employees. This can easily lead to serious burnouts. Technology helps people achieve more, do more and work more. As beneficial as this may seem, it becomes easy for people to become exhausted and disengaged.
Many companies expect employees to be active, even while on holidays or vacations. Back in the day, employees would completely disengage from work while on vacation. There was no cell or smartphones back then and there was no way for anyone to contact you, unless you contact them first. Today, you have to turn off your notifications, email and sometimes even your phone to disengage for a while. And, even then there could be consequences for not being available when you should have, even if its outside business hours.
Technology continues to evolve and thus continues to reshape industries and workplaces alike. Many people look forward to the aid of new technology, while some fear that technology will replace human labor with automation and machines. Whether the world is heading towards a utopia or dystopia with the help of technology remains to be seen. One thing is for certain though, and that is that technology has a significant impact on the modern workplace.
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