The rapid advancement of technology has affected virtually every aspect of modern life, including the way people work. Even before the surge of remote work models, many companies became increasingly reliant on tech for everyday operation.
From project management tools such as Basecamp to productivity apps such as Trello, these high-tech innovations have revolutionized the modern workplace and shaken underperforming employees out of their productivity slumps.
Ready to investigate how technology has boosted employee productivity in 2021? Take an inside look at the ways tech of the 2020s has whipped lethargic employees into shape.
The power of virtual offices
Post-pandemic, remote work setups have become incredibly commonplace. In rapid succession, employers continue to ditch cubicles and conference rooms in favour of mobile hotspots, video conferencing apps, cloud storage, and virtual addresses from providers like iPostal1. With these digital tools, like a virtual address, in their back pockets, employers can maintain optimal security, recruit nationwide talent, bridge communication gaps, and broaden their target audience.
With a fully remote structure, employers can also boost employee productivity by large margins. But how?
Without office-culture distractions like a 40-minute morning commute, chatty coworkers, and all-too-restrictive office hours, employees could accomplish day-to-day tasks in a fraction of the time. Surprisingly, this increased schedule flexibility and the elimination of commute times increase productivity in the national economy by as much as 5%. Not to mention, remote employees often find it easier to achieve a work/life balance and, in turn, be more engaged in their day-to-day work responsibilities.
That said, it’s time that productivity-oriented business owners make the transition to a fully remote workplace and invest in a virtual office, complete with a virtual business address and digital mailbox services.
The elimination of administrative tasks
Software to perform administrative tasks is another major factor in tech-driven increased productivity. Book-keeping, task management, filing, and other everyday tasks that once ate up hours of employee time each week can now be automatically performed by computer programs, freeing employees up to accomplish creative tasks.
The use of chatbots for customer service
Another technological advance that has afforded employees more time to devote to creative tasks is customer service software. Programs like chatbots decrease the amount of time employees spend on customer service tasks.
Chatbots take customer questions and complaints and deal with them according to prescribed actions. While an automated format cannot resolve every customer issue, chatbots reduce the number of problems that filter through to employees by fixing many common issues.
The rise of project management tools
Project management tools make it possible for employees to collaborate in constructive ways on various projects. These programs can be used for planning and scheduling projects, assigning tasks, adding comments, organizing dashboards, proofing or editing work, providing documentation, and evaluating outcomes.
Project management tools are convenient for large projects involving multiple team members. Such projects get complicated quickly, so having a centralized hub to keep everything organized and provide input from all team members is extraordinarily helpful.
Faster communication
Modern technology has made communication more effortless than ever before. Team members can reach one another through countless formats: email, phone calls, text messages, instant messaging programs, group message boards. Receiving instant feedback and answers to questions speeds the process along, resulting in quicker turnaround time.
These advances in communication technology have even altered the way people advertise.
Increased cost-efficiency
With many employees working at least part of the week at home, companies save money on office expenses, including electricity and office supplies. Studies show that employers save an average of $11,000 per half-time remote employee.
Time-tracking to encourage higher efficiency
Time-tracking programs encourage productivity and help employees analyze where their time is being spent and make adjustments accordingly.
Most time-tracking software is available as a simple app for desktop, laptop, or mobile devices. Employees track the time they spend on each project as well as administrative tasks like answering emails. They can even keep track of their coffee breaks.
Wrap up
No question, technology has boosted employee productivity in 2021 and is likely to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.