The Modern Workplace: What is it and why is it important?
3 min read
Microsoft has been at the forefront of this change in recent years, after coining the phrase. They’ve created a hub of digital tools to support a modern workplace, which has naturally led to the belief that creating one is solely about adopting technology – but it’s more than that. The modern workplace is about the people that make up a business and creating a workplace that drives communication, productivity, efficiency and setting teams up to work in an environment that drives culture and collaboration.
On the back of those key drivers, many digital solutions have emerged. In short, their purpose is to:
- Unify communications
- Connect teams, wherever they work
- Improve working experiences
- Promote productivity
- Simplify many workplace processes
- Optimise employer spend
Why is a Modern Workplace Important?
Many moons ago, technology had a core purpose, which was to maximise output of teams. But in recent years, attitudes have changed to the way technology can support business and with that change has come new technologies. In workplaces today, businesses adopt technologies to empower their teams and promote collaboration and productivity.
Modern, connected technology is becoming the norm, not the exception and it’s becoming a key driver when attracting and retaining talent too.
The Benefits to Your Business
Workplaces in recent years have evolved and attitudes to how people work, and certainly where people work, has changed rapidly. Many employers have adopted remote working and lots of businesses are leaning toward a hybrid-working model.
In the case that you have some people in an office and some at home – even some in different countries – it’s vital that your systems are connected for optimum communication and so that data is available in real-time.
Employee Communication and Collaboration
This accounts for so much more than just one-on-one conversations between staff in different locations, it means better communication and collaboration across all levels, departments, locations and between hierarchies. It means better access to tools that allow for communication, easier access to files and document storage and collaboration on projects. All that equates to informed decision making to drive business growth and time and resource saved, with accessible lines of communication.
Simplified Processes for End-Users
A modern workplace harnesses technologies that are simplified and easy for end-users to adopt. In most cases, employers will opt to manage configuration behind the scenes and keep access available to chosen administrators. That means you can control settings so they suit your business and everyone is working from the same playbook for easy adoption and use. Not to mention, many of the apps businesses opt for to implement a modern workplace, are already used and often familiar for teams e.g., Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Microsoft 365 etc.
Work From Anywhere, Anytime
The office can be anywhere now: in the office, coworking spaces, people’s dining rooms and even on the road. A modern workplace means synced data and accessibility. It’s about being connected when you need to be, wherever you are, all the time. With the right use of technologies, a connected workforce is simple to achieve and sustain and can be key for attracting talent and helping drive business strategies and revenue.
The Benefits to Your Employees
Empower Employees to Work The Way They Want
The jobs landscape has changed enormously in recent years and has become much more competitive for employers. Employees expectations toward where they work and how they work is very different to what they were only a few years ago. Employers are now finding that when their digital tools enhance their employees work experience, they’re more fulfilled in their roles, more productive and more likely to stay.
Capitalise on Opportunities
With a modern workplace approach, it’s much easier for employees to retrieve information and data for review and analysis. With the right information at their fingertips, employees can respond faster to business opportunities and work collaboratively and creatively.
Improve Productivity
Faster, easier, happier ways of working. Connected systems, easy sharing of data, real-time data available at all times, to everyone. By connecting your systems, processes and teams you’ll experience a better working culture and help your teams feel connected, wherever they may work from.
How to Implement a Modern Workplace
You might first be wondering, what sort of tools are included in the journey to becoming a modern workplace? The easiest place to start is with a trusted brand like Microsoft, not only because you probably already use many of the products, but because they are at the forefront of creating a more connected workplace.
So, what could be included in the Microsoft Modern Workplace – many products of which you probably already use?