This year’s events have led us to reevaluate technology’s role in business, work habits, and our sense of connection in a remote world. In an environment where we have been forced to rely on technology for every aspect of our work, we’ve seen positive changes in regards to technology adoption that will last well into the future.
People are starved for connection. This year we’ve had to ask this question in a new light: how do we properly use technology to keep people connected? We are wired for connection, but when remote work began to silo us off, we realized how valuable person-to-person connection truly is. In a remote world, people need support and collaboration more than ever, but finding it is difficult. Our teams need the chance to easily connect to the right person at the right time. Many people enjoy remote work, but are eager to maintain a connected company culture.
With the right technology, remote work helps people thrive. It’s surprising how well people have been able to work remotely with the proper tools. In general, teams have thrived even without whiteboards, meeting rooms, impromptu face-to-face discussions, and coworkers nearby. Today’s technology enables us to actively maintain job responsibilities in a way that would have been difficult 15-20 years ago. As a result, people have been more productive.
Fewer interruptions mean more meaningful conversations. How many times have you met with a coworker in their office and someone popped in with a question or request? In the office, people get bored, take breaks, and find themselves wandering into others’ offices for a quick chat or to ask that question they keep forgetting about. Without office distractions, conversations stay on point and happen quicker and decision-making is usually better. People are less likely to randomly call someone while working remotely—it’s easier to walk 50 feet down the hall. Digital tools help create the right connections at the right time without distraction (save for kids, pets, and home-related disruptions).
New tech adoption has improved among the technology-averse. Those traditionally hesitant to embrace new technology and forge change don’t really have a choice anymore. Fortunately, many leaders have found their teams to be willing and eager to try new tools. Adoption is happening faster in a remote world than it did in the office. Additionally, there’s a growing thirst for learning as more people are showing up for how-to trainings. We are eager to see if this has an ongoing, positive effect in the future.
Technology reveals where people are putting in the time. Companies are further relying automated tools to measure productivity trends. Metrics are revealing where time is being spent and where teams can improve. Accountability has improved and people are able to tangibly see the numbers behind their time and efforts. Such gamification will even drive self-motivated people to beat last week’s numbers and up their accomplishments.
If you’re looking for ways to improve communication and lower costs, give EVAN360 a try. Provide your team with remote support at the right time so they can stay productive and connected.
Watch how EVAN360 can work for remote teams here.
