Take a look around your workplace and notice how technology is an integral part of it. Over the past few years, we have seen a global change in how we work and get things done. The role of big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning is revolutionizing almost every workplace. Whether you work at a bank or a mortgage staffing agency, you can feel the effect. Not only does it make work simpler, but it also makes it much more efficient. We are now dependent on devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
So, how has technology shaped our work life? We can see a lot of change happening around the world, especially during the pandemic. Most people are still working in hybrid workspaces and entire departments can rely on technology. It has made the world a global marketplace where we can employ people across continents. As technology gets better it is taking up an even deeper role in our lives.
Diminishing Geographical Boundaries
In the current workplace, geography doesn’t matter. Now, people don’t even have to be in the same country to work together. Mobile devices, social media, and the rapid pace of things have made communication different. Online connections and remote jobs have also opened up a world of possibilities. Today, with the internet, we are close to each other even when we are far away. As geography is no longer a shackle, even people in remote countries can have the same opportunities.
It has also increased workforce productivity. Large corporations no longer care if you live close by or not. This has increased the chances for companies to find the right person for the right job. Because instead of focusing on accessibility and location, they hire based on skills and experience. So, a company in California can hire someone in India if they are the right fit.
Ending Communication Gaps
A few years ago, people found it difficult to work together. Staying in constant communication was also tough. As a result, work suffered and there were frequent errors. Now, things have changed. The development of fantastic online and physical tools has helped in workflow management. They can help with assigning tasks to specific people even if they are off-site. Moreover, everyone can constantly follow up on tasks and check the current status of pending assignments.
As a result, communication standards have improved by a fair margin. Employees now have ready access to all information they can need to work more efficiently. Constantly updating their work status can also help minimize the margin of error in most cases.
The Success of E-Commerce
One of the biggest changes over the last decade has been in the brick-and-mortar retail industry. E-commerce and online shopping became even more successful during the pandemic. The retail industry and its employees have now shifted their focus to the backend and warehouses. The front-end shops and retail stores are going through an existential change. Technology has put in-person shopping on the back burner and we may never shop the same way ever again.
Cloud Storage
Before online cloud storage became a thing, data was hard to manage. Physical paper work and archives are now a thing of the past, though. Employees no longer need in-person approvals because everything is online. Most companies have employee self-service portals that have important policy documents always available. Moreover, day-to-day assignments and project data is also stored in a cloud. As a result, all employees can access the information they need. No matter where they are, everything is available at the tip of their fingers.
Impact of Big Data
Big data has completely changed marketing strategies and how they are implemented. We can now focus on specific target markets and customers by interpreting cold hard data. As a result, marketing campaigns are much more successful now than before. Technology and social media have changed how marketers think and work. The focus is now entirely on digital marketing and online ads. Marketers can now reach specific target markets and audiences with A/B testing and targeted ads.
All this has been possible because of data science and machine learning. Big data companies can profile the right customer base and attract them with specific recommendations. We can even see the impact on consumer behavior and politics.
Hiring Practices for Remote Jobs
As jobs have become remote, hiring processes have also changed. Human resources departments for most companies around the world have had to change their hiring processes. Before the pandemic, centralized hiring was pretty common. Most prospective candidates had to go through the head office and then to their relevant departments.
Now, hiring practices mostly include virtual meetings, online tests, and interviews. So, the employee hiring and onboarding culture have also changed with the changing technology. You might not be physically called in for an interview. Moreover, freelancers, part-time employees, and remote resources are now more common.
