The pressure to embrace digital transformation is growing alongside external factors like the recent advancements in artificial intelligence and the evolution of hybrid work environments. These factors require organizations to consider a strategic approach to technology integrations, particularly concerning security, given the breadth of apps, communication channels, devices, and different file storage locations that lead to a continuous cycle of content being downloaded, uploaded, and attached. Unfortunately, seemingly harmless, routine actions can make it easy for employees to work within their own workflows and preferences without realizing they are putting critical data at risk. Companies must prioritize modernizing workplace technology, making the initiatives a cornerstone of their business strategy in the digital-first era.
As businesses strive to transform the modern workplace and technology experience, they are responsible for ensuring all personal information and data is secure and adequately protected from breaches. Over 80% of consumers decide who to do business with based on a company’s reputation for data security. However, 53% of small business owners reported having no regular employee training on information security procedures or policies. This concern is particularly intensified for industries with heightened regulation and security demands, such as the legal and accounting sectors. Integrating secure technology that aligns with organizational goals, streamlines workflows, and boosts efficiency is crucial for meeting these expectations.
Here are several considerations for leaders charged with organizational digital transformation and tech integration.
Prioritize Employee-Centric Approaches
Leaders must center their strategies on facilitating engaging employee interactions among leadership, their peers, and clients. These individuals need a seamless tech experience that ensures reliable, secure information exchanges while reducing vulnerabilities. 58% of tech leaders believe poor technology is “killing” their company’s performance, costing them two to four hours a day in lost productivity. By considering the employee, and placing them at the center of new tech adoption, leaders can shape more productive outcomes that allow workers to focus on the strategic pursuits that align with their job function, fostering motivation and increased progress toward goals. These individuals will incur vast workflow and productivity improvements, allowing more time to enhance relationships with peers and clients.
Embrace All Skill Sets
Team members across departments hold varied expertise and not all of them are going to be inherently tech-savvy. Leaders should avoid overwhelming employees with excessive technology options. Every employee, from the most tech-savvy to the most traditional, deserves to approach workplace technology with as little friction as possible. 92% of C-suite executives say they’re satisfied with the technology experience their company provides for making progress on their most important work, yet only 68% of staff agree—an alarming gap that must be closed. Today’s employees require intuitive tools, or we risk tasks, productivity, and security measures falling to the wayside.
Elevate Intuitive Collaboration
Simplicity is key to optimal experiences, and although improving this area may sound daunting, it can be made easy with the right tools. Technology should be effortlessly integrated, without requiring extensive end user training. The key to intuitive client collaboration is having consolidated feedback in a single location to reduce version tracking or lost documents in clogged inboxes. Companies can also leverage technology to set automated reminders to complete feedback or get notified if a recipient is tagged in a comment, for example. When choosing modern technology, 38% of executives are willing to invest more for competitive advantage gains, and 40% have seen that it helps them to better meet customer expectations and improve operational efficiency. In turn, customers feel value when employees say, ‘Here’s what you need next; let me give it to you and help you on your journey.’ When employees have access to an experience where everything works, they can extend the same frictionless experience to clients, up-leveling satisfaction for both parties and increasing overall output.
Going the Extra Mile
Embracing tech integration is essential to tackle contemporary challenges and empower today’s workforce. The right tech tools expedite processes, bolster connections, and optimize operations.
By aligning technology with human interactions, companies create a thriving modern work environment. Evaluating the existing tech stack before embarking on the digital transformation journey is paramount. The selection of technology should not be a hasty decision, but rather a carefully considered strategy that aligns with the organization’s unique needs and goals. Now is a great time to evaluate tech stacks—what to keep, what to remove, what to add—heading into 2024.
