In today’s fast-paced entrepreneurial landscape, standing still is synonymous with falling behind. This drives businesses into a relentless cycle of adaptation and reinvention, fueled by the birth of cutting-edge technologies that promise to turn the way businesses operate on its head.
But while navigating this digital upheaval, there’s an element that often slips through the cracks, yet it’s undeniably crucial – the human touch.
A recent study revealed a startling disconnect: while 90% of C-suite executives believe their company pays attention to people’s needs when introducing new technology, only about half (53%) of staff say the same. This divide highlights the necessity of a more human-centric strategy for digital transformation.
Source: PwC
The Problem with Tech-Centric Approaches
Many businesses have embraced a tech-focused strategy in the fight to remain competitive. They’ve invested heavily in digital tools, hoping to boost efficiency and productivity.
However, the importance of core HR functions are often overlooked in this scramble, resulting in serious consequences for the employee experience.
Without considering how new technology will affect the workforce, its implementation can cause employee confusion, frustration, and lower productivity. The result? A digital workplace that feels less human and more like a daunting maze of new tools and processes.
Moreover, a tech-centric approach can inadvertently create a disconnect between the leadership and the workforce.
When decisions regarding technology are made without the input of the individuals who will be using it on a daily basis, it can lead to employee alienation and disengagement.
This disconnect may further compound the challenges of digital transformation, resulting in it becoming even more difficult for businesses to achieve the full value of their technology investments.
The Importance of Protecting the Employee Experience
In a human-centric digital workplace, technology serves as a support system, not a hurdle. Here’s how to ensure your digital transformation enhances the employee experience:
- Meet employees where they are: New tools should integrate seamlessly into existing workflows. Consider the apps your employees are already using and find ways to incorporate new functionalities into these platforms.
- Understand employee perspectives: Before rolling out a new tool, take the time to understand the problem from the employee’s perspective. This empathetic approach can help ensure that the technology you introduce will be used and appreciated.
- Provide adequate training and support: When introducing new technologies, ensure that employees are well-trained and have access to ongoing support. This can help them adapt to new tools more quickly and confidently.
- Solicit and act on feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from employees about their experience with the new technology. Their insights can help identify potential issues and opportunities for improvement.
- Promote a culture of digital literacy: Encourage employees to learn and grow with the technology. This can be achieved through continuous learning opportunities and by fostering a culture that values digital literacy.
- Communicate the benefits: Clearly communicate to employees how the new technology will benefit them in their roles. Understanding the ‘why’ behind the change can increase acceptance and usage.
- Maintain transparency: Be transparent about the changes being made, why they’re being made, and how they will impact employees. Transparency can help build trust and acceptance of new technologies.
The Value of Reversing the Sequence
Traditionally, companies introduce new digital tools by first selecting a software solution, implementing it, and then retrofitting it to meet their organization’s human needs.
But this sequence often leads to a mismatch between the technology and the needs of the employees. A more effective approach involves reversing this sequence:
- Start by assessing employee needs: Understand what your employees need to work more efficiently and effectively.
- Develop software that meets these needs: Once you understand your employees’ requirements, you may create or select software to meet those demands.
- Implement the software: You can confidently implement new tech solutions if you have a clear understanding of your employees’ demands and have sourced an application that is tailored to suit those needs.
This method eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming retrofitting while increasing the possibility that your employees will embrace the new tools.
Infusing Company Values into Technology Deployment
Your company values are more than just words on a wall. They’re the guiding principles that shape your decisions, define your culture, and reflect your organization’s identity.
When introducing new technology, it’s essential to infuse these values into the deployment process. This means aligning the technology’s purpose and usage with what your company stands for.
For instance, if one of your core values is collaboration, choose technology that fosters teamwork and open communication. If innovation is a key value, opt for cutting-edge solutions that encourage creativity.
Employees are more likely to regard new technology as a positive shift rather than a burden when they see how it corresponds with the company’s values and aims.
This shift in perception can significantly improve the adoption and utilization of new digital tools. Moreover, it reinforces your company’s values, strengthening your organizational culture.
The Misdirection of Blaming the Tech
When new technology fails to produce the desired results, it is all too tempting to blame the technology itself. Yet, more often than not, the issue is not with the technology as such, but with the process that led to its implementation.
A poorly planned and executed deployment can lead to confusion, resistance, and ultimately, failure. Instead of pointing fingers at the technology, it’s crucial to examine the process that you implemented beforehand.
Did you take the time to understand your team’s needs? Was there sufficient training and support during the transition? Was the technology aligned with your company’s values and goals?
Final Thoughts
A human-centric approach to digital transformation starts with understanding how your team works. By exploring how and where employees work, you can design a digital workplace that not only works but makes work more human.
This means creating a technology strategy that is rooted in empathy, understanding, and respect for the people who will use the technology. It is about making technology work for humans rather than the other way around.
