Peter Crush, from People Management, says that even though work is quickly changing, several organizations still used out dated methods and ideas of working, which make lead to losing their competitive edge.

Most technological advances tend to enhance employees’ autonomy and collaboration and employers should consider this. Crush distinguishes five lessons from a report developed by Accenture Strategy to every employer within the communication business called ‘Success or stagnation in the communications industry’.

1. Acknowledge that people are willing to embrace technology

According to the report, over half the people surveyed are willing to embrace technology as they think it has a positive impact. This situation makes it easier for management to integrate technology at the workplace.

2. Companies need to change their organizational structure

In order to enhance innovations and adapt faster to change, firms need to become flatter and organise smaller teams.

3. Valuable contributors shall not always be employees

For that reason, companies need to look beyond their internal payroll and seek for talent in new places and ways. They must become creative to access and lure that talent in order to co-create ideas and products.

4. There is a need for more agile leaders

Leaders must be prepared for the digital age, which includes being ready to adapt to advances in digital technologies – social media, collaboration tools, mobile applications and analytics-.

5. Training employees to empower them

Firms must empower the new workforce by providing information and training at the point of need. Only through this do they have a chance of raising productivity and increasing customer satisfaction. To develop needed behaviours, organisations must combine recruitment with pioneering training and development activities – coaching, action learning and mentoring. It’s this that quickly builds capabilities.

Source: CIPD