After the novel coronavirus swept through, life suddenly shifted for businesses around the world. The traditional way of having employees work side-by-side in an office was no longer feasible and organizations had to adapt rapidly. Working from home quickly became a new normal as companies raced to equip their staff with the tools needed for success in this unfamiliar era.
The global pandemic changed the way many of us worked, with an estimated 70% of full-time workers embracing remote work during its peak. Even as we transition out of this period, it’s clear that working from home is here to stay – 92% expected to maintain at least one day each week away from the office!
Companies have had to undergo a drastic shift and completely overhaul the way they operate due to this transformation. Moving away from their traditional workspace, many businesses are now utilizing cloud-based systems for digital collaboration among hybrid teams. Embracing technology is key in order for them to stay ahead of the curve!
This transition has brought newfound benefits, such as:
Lower costs for employees and employers
Better employee work/life balance
Higher morale
The same or improved productivity
More flexibility in serving clients
But, the transition to a digital workplace has also brought challenges and risks. These include:
Vulnerable networks and endpoints
Employees feeling disconnected
Communication problems
Difficulty tracking productivity and accountability
Increased risk of data breaches
The pandemic has had a major impact on organizations, with an estimated one-fifth suffering from a breach due to its remote workforce.
With dedication and support from an IT professional, you can unlock the potential of technology to benefit your business – all it takes is a bit of time and hard work.
From a lack of strategy to disjointed communication and inadequate technology, the latest IGLOO research report unveiled numerous blunders companies make when crafting their digital workplace. Make sure your business isn’t at risk with these all-too common errors!
1. The lack of files in the cloud can make it difficult to locate important documents
The cloud has revolutionized the way companies work, enabling them to store essential files online and access them from anywhere. However, without proper organization of these digital documents businesses can become overwhelmed with chaos- making it hard for staff to locate pertinent information quickly.
Nearly half of employees are wasting time searching for the documents they need to do their jobs, a figure that’s on the rise according to IGLOO’s latest report. This lack of access is costing businesses money – and preventing them from capitalizing on opportunities.
Some tips for making shared cloud storage files easier to locate are:
Keep file structure flat (2-3 folders deep)
Create a consistent hierarchy and naming structure
Don’t create a file for fewer than 10 documents
Archive and delete older files monthly to reduce clutter
2. The rise of remote work has left many employees feeling disconnected and voiceless
Meeting mayhem can be a common occurrence when some team members work remotely and the conversation isn’t cohesive. Unfortunately, many companies are feeling the struggle of bridging their in-person and virtual teams with effective communication techniques.
Despite the promise of remote work to increase productivity, nearly 60% of those who do it experience a disconnect from in-office colleagues. Without real-time face time, potential decisions are made without taking into account input or feedback relative to everyone involved – leading to workflow disruptions and decreased efficiency overall.
Managers and bosses can set the tone for a more inclusive future, one in which traditional habits are re-envisioned to accommodate an increasingly hybrid world. With determined leadership, old ways of thinking may soon be replaced by new ideas that foster greater inclusion.
3. Despite warnings about the potential security risks
With the start of remote work, Shadow IT skyrocketed – now workers have access to more cloud applications than ever before. Using their own devices and networks at home has put organizations on alert regarding unauthorized use of apps they may not even know exist.
Unauthorized apps are widely being used in the workplace, and their presence can create big issues for organizations. Some of the risks of shadow IT include:
Data leakage from non-secured apps
Data privacy compliance violations
Redundancies in-app use that increase costs
Unprotected company data due to a lack of visibility
The employee leaves and no one can access the data in the unauthorized app
4. Remote work is becoming more popular
Remote employees have the ability to take their work wherever they go – from bustling airports, to cozy hotels and even family get-togethers. They can be found tapping away on laptops at local coffee shops or connecting with friends while working remotely. It’s a great way of blending travel into work life!
Companies that fail to take the necessary measures to safeguard their data when accessed remotely are vulnerable targets for cyber-attackers. An increasingly popular technique, known as man-in-the middle attack involves hackers secretly connecting themselves onto public networks and then harnessing software tools to intercept sensitive information sent by other users connected on the same network.
When working remotely, a business VPN is essential for protecting data and maintaining privacy. These services are incredibly easy to use – just enable the app on your device and it will automatically reroute all information through secure encrypted servers at an affordable cost.
5. No one likes being stuck in a cycle of miscommunication
Despite the surge of virtual meetings in recent times, tech-related blunders are spoiling these gatherings. As much as 85% of remote workers report disruptions due to technical difficulties – making successful team conferences increasingly more difficult!
Every digital workplace needs reliable communication tools to keep the engine running smoothly; video calls, audio chats and other cloud-based services are essential. By investing in up-to-date tech solutions, teams can stay connected without any hiccups!
Every digital workplace needs reliable communication tools to keep the engine running smoothly; video calls, audio chats and other cloud-based services are essential. By investing in up-to-date tech solutions, teams can stay connected without any hiccups!
Keep your hybrid office humming with increased productivity!
If you’re looking to maximize your digital workplace performance, now’s the time to act! Contact us today and let our experts help shape a new era of technology-driven productivity.
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