01 Aug Technology and Business: For Better or For Worse?
How technology is reshaping corporate culture for the better
It is no secret that technology is making corporate life so much better. But just like everything else, there is also a downside. Because of technology, people become spoiled and entitled that hard work has become something rare. Technology has also allowed people to become more self-indulgent and more prone to self-gratification. However, the upside far outweighs the disadvantages. Here are the various ways technology is reshaping corporate culture for the better.
Better communication
This is probably the best improvement brought about by technology. Communication is just so much easier now. You want a task done, the information is sent within seconds. Feedback is available within seconds, too. And if more ideas are needed, other people can be kept in the loop of the communication to open a more collaborative interaction.
However, the downside is for the same reason—communication is so quick that employees may become unproductive gossiping over workgroup chats. It may even cause some tensions especially when backbiting happens. So there should be some rules set on how the office’s instant messaging should be used.
Quicker outputs
The advancement of technology allows tasks to be done anywhere and anytime. If there are urgent tasks, even if the employee is at home, a manager can send out a task and request that the output should be immediately accomplished. This is possible because of technology. The downside here is that employees might get overwhelmed that they can be reached anytime and that their bosses could order them around even during their downtime.
In terms of research, it can be done with just a few clicks of one’s computer. This makes working so much easier, and the outputs can be turned over so much faster. Anyone can also do the research anywhere in the world—you don’t need to be stuck in the office to do that.
Digital office
Technology allows the possibility of having a digital office, which means less capital outlay for a business owner. This also means an employee could have a better home life since he could spend more time with the family and even do some household chores from the time saved commuting to and from the office. Again, there is always a downside. Having a digital office would make an employee possibly less social. It’s kind of therapeutic for a group of people to come together for work, share ideas and interact socially as well.
A digital office also erases the gender pay gap and any form of discrimination. With a digital office, hiring will be purely based on output and not on a person’s physical norms.
Real-time tracking performance
Technology makes the workplace more transparent. Technology allows real-time tracking of work, which could make for a better productivity. Employees are generally competitive especially if they are monitored. Managers should also use this opportunity to offer feedback immediately and recognize good work. This kind of transparency also makes employees more aware of what they are doing for the company. This way, they will be motivated to do better.
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