Technology is evolving at an extremely rapid pace, and it’s beginning to become difficult to keep up. Every year, some new product changes the way we live and work. Some industries have gone entirely digital and have completely revamped everything we know about them. The internet and the introduction of faster and more powerful computers and mobile devices also allows us to work from just about anywhere, something that was virtually impossible just a couple of decades ago. Such drastic changes in the way we work are bound to bring major changes in the workplace environment as well. Some of these changes can be considered for the better, while some may leave some company’s cultures worse off. However, what is the true extent of technology’s influence over company culture?
Skill Sets
One of the biggest changes technology has brought upon company culture is the skill sets that it has forced employees to acquire. Today’s employees typically are required to possess some sort of technological prowess. In addition, with how fast technology is evolving, employees are required to be highly adaptable in order to keep up with the rapidly changing landscapes of their industries. These type of employees are typically cool and calculated, which could change your company’s culture into a much more serious environment.
Lack of Barriers
Communicating with people across the world has become easier than ever thanks to technological advancements. It is now possible for a conference call to include employees from New York, Tokyo, and Paris all at the same time. The lack of communication barriers has made collaboration between employees extremely easy. Employees can now easy communicate with each other, even when they are not in the office. Collaborative projects are now extremely common, allowing a company’s best employees to work together to create something amazing. However, this does come at a cost. Digital communication is often impersonal and lacks the personality of meeting in person. Face-to-face communication is extremely valuable and offers benefits that digital communication can’t, so try to make sure digital communication doesn’t completely take over your workplace.
Workload Balance
Technology allows employees to take their work home with them and complete their tasks even after they leave their office. While this may boost production, it is not without drawbacks. Long hours can be detrimental to an employee’s morale. Unfortunately, employees in today’s workforce are working extremely long hours and have lengthened work weeks. Employees who work such long hours could eventually become run-down due to stress and lack of time off. These employees could eventually see a drop in efficiency and a rise in errors made in their work. This is why it is extremely important to maintain decent hours for your employees, as you don’t want them to become overworked. Happy employees are efficient employees. Although it may be tempting to take advantage of technology and work extra hours from home, it might be more beneficial to have your employees enjoy their time off and maintain their happiness.
