There are probably a lot of things that come to mind when you think about how technology has changed the workplace. From the birth of communication platforms like Slack, to the ability to really work from any location…the changes are endless and still ever-changing. When you think about how technology has started to shape our culture and way of life as a society, it’s interesting to look at how it has effected the way we work, and how it has effected the workplace as a whole. These are five main shifts that technology has caused, over the last 10-15 years, in the workplace:
1. The changing workplace: The big shift was really moving from computers provided by your company to technology you own. Meaning, your smartphone is now one of the greatest tools you have. The individuality that has created within the workplace is undeniable.
2. Socializing the workplace: Though smartphones and personal devices has given the freedom to work independently, technology has made it easier than ever to collaborate. In fact, it’s really called for collaboration. With platforms like Slack and even email, it’s now easier than ever to communicate continuously with coworkers without even having to be in the same room as them. The days of long meetings, small cubicles where you keep your head down, only to clock in and clock out every day, are over.
3. Collaborate from anywhere: It’s never been simpler to work from any location. Technology has made it easy to work remotely, while staying in constant communication with your coworkers. The need to be at a desk or even in the office each day, is no longer as great.
4. The cloud: The cloud allows workers to tap into a wide range of resources over the internet like storage, payroll, and benefits. No longer do workers need to rely on IT Department. This is sometimes referred to as “shadow IT.” SO, it’s a shift from physical data centers to cloud services.
5. The augmented worker: There is such potential for how we can collaborate and communicate using technology in the workplace.
