The holy grail for business in 2021 and beyond?
It’s data.
In addition to king-hitting the world’s economies, the global pandemic smashed many traditional business models. The future of work is already here, with remote work, zooming, flexible work hours, learning on the job and upskilling happening all around us.
All over the world, businesses have been forced to adapt and technology – in the form of digital transformation – has been the key enabler.
At the heart of this technology transformation is data.
If COVID-19 taught us anything, it is that data is a valuable asset. During the COVID storm those businesses able to take advantage of the data they hold were able to respond rapidly and effectively to the ‘new norms’. Retail chains quickly streamlined their operations and pivoted to on-line trading; hospitality firms used their customer database to create a delivery business overnight.
Many didn’t just survive. They thrived.
As a result, savvy businesses are now well and truly onboard to utilise data to re-shape the world of work in 2021, and beyond. Here are just a few ways it will happen.
Using data to protect your people
The Covid-19 pandemic hammered home the need for organisations to protect their business, employees, their families, and their customers. Safety and hygiene issues have become more important than ever.
As a result businesses are utilising a combination of data and workforce management technologies to enable a holistic real-time view of all available labour resources. It’s now considered essential for wellness monitoring and contact tracing to protect employees and customers. It also enables quick decision making regarding new operating models or new opportunities.
Data as a planning tool
Today, effective planning that controls costs and improves productivity and revenue utilises a combination of technology and real time data to deliver a high degree of visibility and control. It ensures efficient resource utilization. It also automates many workforce related processes.
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If your company still relies on manual or semi-automated processes, you risk errors and inefficiencies.
Data as a compliance tool
Covid-19 resulted in the introduction of a raft of new workplace regulations. As a result organizations are progressively implementing new processes and technologies to ensure the safety of all employees, customers, and other stakeholders.
A highly automated, data-driven approach to compliance allows for a workforce system configuration that adheres to all relevant employment legislation and agreements, without the need for complex, clumsy user intervention.
Data as a communications & team-building tool
These same data-driven workforce management technologies are also being used to keep employees connected and engaged no matter where they are working. Mobile self-service tools empower employees to take control of their working lives and manage their own work/life balance, whilst real-time visibility of employee presence, activity and productivity mean managers no longer need to micro-manage their team.
Though the world of work is now in a state of flux as a result of the pandemic, the way we use technology is being adapted and harnessed to support and enable workforces globally. In many new and interesting ways.
The door has opened to a new future of work. One where those that embrace new technologies, update processes and adopt a data-driven, human-centric approach to workforce management will not only enjoy increased resilience in future crises, but will also maintain the ability to pivot swiftly to capitalise quickly on emerging opportunities.
Like to know more about how you can better utilise your workforce data? Contact CXC Global Talent on cxcasia@cxcglobal.com
