How do big and small businesses cater to the demands of the always on, global economy?
Cloud computing, smartphones and the mobile internet are changing the workplace so investment in technology is essential for companies wanting to stay ahead in an increasingly fast moving and competitive global marketplace, says a recent research paper.
In a collaboration between Dell, Intel, TNS and Cascade Insights, twenty experts from various countries were consulted to give their vision of how the workplace is evolving. The study showed some stark differences between different working cultures.
Experts on the panel believe businesses in advanced economies such as Australia are seeing an increase in demand for mobile solutions, while others suggest technological advancements will improve workplace flexibility. All the experts see investing in technology as being essential in staying ahead in the global marketplace.
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Changing work attitudes
Remotely accessible workplaces have blurred the lines between home and office. In almost all countries the ability to work from home is considered an extension of the workday with an expectation of working outside of normal hours now being seen as standard work practice.
Dorie Clark, writer for the Harvard Business Review & Forbes Magazine contributor, sees these developments as being mixed for staff, “technology is a double edge sword for workers because the benefit is that the enhanced flexibility and mobility that people have allows for really exciting developments with the potential for better work-life balance.”
“People can be working from any geography. Companies can be saving money because they require less space to house their employees. If people want to take time to work from the Berlin office or the San Francisco office, they can do it,” Ms Clark continues. “If they want to stay home with their kids, it is now much easier depending on the corporate culture’s openness to that arrangement for them to actually, technologically be able to do it. The problem is that our culture of work has not evolved yet to keep pace with the fact that you now can work all the time.”