The workforce of the future

Work, workforces and workplaces are responding to technology at an exponential pace. Success depends on having a strategy that reimagines all aspects of workforce management from accessing, aligning, engaging, rewarding and, ultimately, leading the workforce of the future. Instead of being considered as a support function as it previously was, today, HR functions are leading digital workforce transformations across organisations. This is happening across three main areas:  

1. Digital workforce

In the digital age, technology has made navigating many complexities in our lives a seamless process. We can book vacations, watch movies and purchase products, all within a few taps of a screen. We have become used to coherent user experiences and therefore anything less at the workplace would only cause frustration.

Companies must enable smooth employee experiences with technology, particularly because top talent will expect nothing less. Moreover, technology enabled processes can only improve employee engagement and productivity, leading to better business outcomes. In this way, HR can contribute directly to the successes of the firm.  

2. Digital workplace

In the digital age and in the context of constant change, organisations now face the challenge to create a working environment that fosters productivity, boosts employee engagement and enables the use of technology and communication tools.

A digital workplace will disintegrate communication barriers and lead to greater efficiency, growth and innovation. It also enables quick sharing of knowledge, which is crucial in the workplace.

Workplace and workforce needs are constantly evolving and technology makes it easier to be up to date quickly. For example, the pandemic caused massive disruption when all employees were forced to work from home from one day to the next. A digital workplace allows the integration of technology that employees are using (e.g. email, instant message, HR apps, virtual meeting rooms, etc.).

The integration of these tools have the potential to make a real cultural change. Employees will be able to access their work and tools anytime and anywhere so that they can be connected both online and offline. Technology also enhances the employee experience and allows them to have more choices and flexibility and personalisation.

In some ways, this can be considered a natural evolution of the workplace, especially given the circumstances created by the pandemic where remote and flexible working have become the norm. This is already being done on some level in many firms (e.g. when employees reply to emails on their mobile or record a sales opportunity in a company-approved digital platform).

Organisations that do not evolve into a digital workplace are at risk of becoming inefficient, irrelevant and of not attracting top talent.  

3. Digital HR

The HR function is shifting from ‘doing digital’ to ‘being digital.’ Digital HR is the application of advanced technologies and analytics, digital traits and behaviours, and HR customer centricity through the lens of the organisations HR Operating Model to optimise HR to deliver sustainable organisational performance.

HR functions that are able to take up the challenge of not only digitally transforming HR operations and the workforce but also the way work is done, will be at a huge advantage. It is essential that HR leaders do not underestimate the importance of exploring new technologies, platforms and methods of working. As with other functions, the HR function will be better positioned to face constant change if they are agile. This is particularly relevant during this time where the pandemic has caused rapid, unforeseen change. It is critical that leaders invest in technology that enables agility through constant innovation for HR to contribute to positive business outcomes and employee experience.

Webinar slides: HR Transformation through Technology

On 24 March, a webinar was held to focus on the key digital transformations occurring in the human resources sphere.

Based on Deloitte research, recommendations on how to strategically approach these transformations with the ultimate objective of improving the overall workforce experience within organisations was provided. Participants learned about:

• Digitisation of HR
• How to approach HR digital transformation
• Key aspects on facilitating transformations
• Relationships between HR digital transformation and the enhancement of the overall workforce experience within organisations
• A live demo of SAP’s Successfactors was given.