The workforce and workplaces are different now than they were three years ago. Maybe it comes down to the rapid evolution of technology, maybe it is down to the changes in employee needs or maybe it comes down to the change needed when the pandemic hit the U.S. in 2020.
The fact is what worked with the workforce and workplace three years ago does not work today.
“There is a shifting dynamic that comes in the workforce – 75% of the workforce will be millennials in two years,” said Jason Byrne, senior vice president, marketing, Crexendo. Byrne spoke during a panel discussion at ITEXPO in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
With younger generations on track to dominate the workforce, businesses need to adapt to the technologies those generations are familiar with to increase productivity and employee happiness. Younger generations want communication tools that look like Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, for example.
Essentially, organizations need solutions that draws in potential employees while retaining their current workforce.
“Before COVID, we had a pretty older workforce as younger generations don’t want to sell furniture,” said Britney West, managing director of technology strategy, City Furniture. “It was hard to capture that workforce because seeing ‘furniture’ in the name did not draw in a tech workforce. The hybrid environment drives us more to hire younger people and tech people worldwide.”
Solutions are a generational thing, but solutions do need to be flexible enough to allow businesses to adapt to changing needs. They also need to deliver a comprehensive set of tools so workers can be productive anywhere. They need to be implemented to better fit the work styles of employees.
Solutions also need to be easy enough to use and manage to avoid undue technical challenges. This pertains to users and IT teams.
“Look at your backbone infrastructure to support your users,” said Glenn Stansbury, national channel manager, Peerless Network. “You can have all the best equipment, but if you don’t have a backbone infrastructure, the equipment won’t work.”
Businesses need to make sure they have the proper tools in place, such as the proper internet for those working at home, to keep operations efficient and drive business success. Buy technology for the future of work.
Edited by
Greg Tavarez
