What do you hope the future holds? Me, I hope for self-driving cars, a cure for cancer, and a Pringles can that fits my hand. Sometimes there’s really no way to know what’s in store without a time machine, but I didn’t need a flux capacitor to see the direction the workplace is heading. The future of work centers around improved communication and collaboration mixed with an “anytime, anywhere” philosophy, and new tools are being developed every day to make those goals a reality. Here’s a few overarching trends that are shaping the way we’ll do our jobs in the near future:
1. Mobile Workforce
Just in the past few years, the use of cell phones has exploded. Ten years ago, we were lucky to have a one with a camera we could use to snap blurry selfies. Now our phones are magical little boxes, home to a woman named Siri who answers all our questions. With their ever-growing list of capabilities, phones are now letting us work from anywhere by allowing us to access content without even needing to crack open a laptop.
The ability to work from a mobile device speeds up processes and increases productivity for employees who are often in the field or on travel, and with new collaboration apps and tools being released all the time, they’re becoming a stronger player than ever in the workforce. In the future, they could become a more integral part of doing business away from the office as more workers take advantage of functionalities such as easy approvals and digital signatures straight from their phones and tablets.
2. Remote “Offices”
As communication and collaboration get easier, the world gets smaller and working remotely is increasingly commonplace. Face-to-face meetings are becoming less of a requirement with the emergence of video conferencing and screen sharing capabilities, and the need to be present in the office all the time is dissipating as the same information becomes accessible from other locations.
There’s a reason remote offices are becoming a popular choice. It allows employees to work without worrying about a commute and lets businesses take advantage of the talents and skillsets of a wider range of people. Employees who work remotely are often happier and more productive, as well as cheaper, as employers can reduce rent and other office supply costs.
3. The Work-Life Blend
“Work-life blend” is a new term gaining popularity with the rise of the “anytime, anywhere” philosophy. As opposed to the work-life balance, which aims to separate work life from personal life and leave time for both, the work-life blend accepts that neither personal nor professional life can always be limited to a set schedule and instead aims for flexibility. This flexibility in not only location, but work hours, is becoming more prevalent in many forward-thinking organizations that put more weight on results than the time spent working in the office.
4. Enterprise Technology
Paper is out, and automation is in. Organizations are looking for new ways to leverage technology to save money on operations, increase employee productivity, and improve customer satisfaction. All three of those things are key components of remaining competitive in the coming years, and innovative business models garner attention and gain rewards as the way the world does business changes.
There’s tons of ways to improve problem processes, and all those options can get a bit overwhelming. After you’ve identified what needs to be fixed, the next step is finding a partner who can help you find the perfect solution to fit your requirements. From there, you’ll be able to collaborate on a strategy for more efficient processes and better operations.
The workplace of the future is fast and digital, and it’s coming quickly, providing opportunities for new methods of work, more flexibility in our professional lives, and cheaper, more efficient processes. For more information, connect with one of our business process experts below!
