When it comes to trends and technology, if you’re not leading the pack, you can very quickly be left in the dust. Because at the rate technology advances, if you’re not riding the tech wave at its crest, you’re crashing down with it as the next wave forms.
So in 2021, be prepared to see – and yes, maybe even adopt – some of these five burgeoning technologies and tools to help you streamline, enhance, and improve your work.
Project management tools are mission-critical but it seems that for every *insert industry, project, day of the week* there’s a project management tool or software. And while that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, choosing the right tool can prove challenging. Many small and medium-sized businesses are choosing SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) which uses cloud-based technology. But with ever-expanding functionality and specificity, such diversity can further complicate the selection process.
But fear not! The great folks at monday.com have just come out with a never-been-done-before resource featuring every single project management platform in the world! How easy is that?
At BELAY, it comes as no surprise to us to hear that the modern workplace is evolving. It’s only the exact premise upon which we were founded. With technology, employees can now work from anywhere at any time that suits them, making internal communication and collaboration tools all the more critical to maintaining engagement. But like project management tools, the – good – problem is that there are so many from which to choose.
Thankfully, we’ve got you covered. This article lists nine online communication and collaboration tools that encourage and enhance team communication and productivity.
A survey of 1,200 workers suggests that 100 percent of – yes, all – workers said that frequent and effective communication with employees was ‘one of the top two behaviors that creates a positive experience at work.’
Enter: The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy. This initiative has become a no-frills way of increasing employee productivity since employees are more comfortable using their own devices. Additionally, employees may upgrade their own devices more often than companies do, giving them access to better, faster technology while eliminating the need for duplicate devices, such as one phone for personal use and another for work use.
And BONUS! If a company pays for an employee’s devices and service charges, it may benefit from a nontaxable fringe benefit which means that companies can take a tax deduction for the business expense.
With amazing new artificial intelligence products and software hitting the market seemingly every week, the divide between far-fetched Ready Player One, set in 2044, and the reality of today seems to narrow by the minute.
And while that’s not to suggest that the robots are coming – at least not yet, technological advancements are, however, forcing us to shift focus as professional ecosystems evolve – and quickly.
One such area improved by AI is recruiting. Many new applications offer HR teams plug-in features that can enhance applicant tracking systems by sorting through large candidate pools in a fraction of the time. In fact, some AI features even include video analysis software that can identify negative behaviors or body language, such as a lack of eye contact to suggest lying, and weed out candidates accordingly.
But for those worried that a dystopian robot workforce is nigh, know that more than 2.1 million jobs are expected to be created as skills we consider to be inextricably human – sociability, empathy, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability and a willingness to learn – will prove even more invaluable.
According to Forbes, ‘automation is the way of the future; not just in the American workplace, but globally. Currently, about 60 percent of businesses could have one-third or more of their business processes fully automated by modern technologies. As those technologies continue to improve, these numbers will only grow.’
And employees are expected to embrace it. Why?
Because automation helps them work and collaborate efficiently and effectively. Companies that also embrace automation can stay competitive by recruiting top talent, not only through the aforementioned AI-HR union, but also by attracting employees who actively seek it.
Still not convinced? Consider our Ode To Automation here.
See? That wasn’t so bad, was it? The robots aren’t coming – yet. Cars aren’t flying – yet. People still rule. But just a few small tweaks, upgrades and subtle shifts in focus and attitude can yield big results for those who lead the charge.
Fortune does favor the bold, after all.
If you are ready to see your business more agile this year, having a BELAY Virtual Assistant might be the best step forward for you. We’d love to hear about your business and see if we are the right fit for you. Make this the best year yet!