How modern technology can be used to improve company culture

As the modern workforce continues to evolve, one of the biggest challenges companies face is building an attractive company culture. With industry leaders such as Google, Netflix and Warby Parker setting high standards for life at work, it is becoming a key factor for candidates when they decide where they want to work. Innovative technology is helping to break down barriers and provides opportunities for companies to build and sustain an appealing culture which reflects a core set of values.

The key is to embrace new technology and leverage to your advantage. Here’s how technology can help you improve aspects of your company culture.

Communication

With up to 95% of the workforce owning smartphones in 2018 the way we communicate at work is changing. The growth in smartphone usage has helped break down the hierarchical barriers between C level staff the rest of the company. Employees can access apps such as Trello and Evernote and collaborate with anyone in the company at any time. This means that busy executives can avoid unproductive meetings by responding to questions in minutes directly to the necessary employees.

However, while smartphones can improve communication throughout your company, there is a danger that an ‘always on’ culture may develop. It is important that boundaries are set and employees have barriers between their personal and professional. If there is no line where employees can unplug they may lose morale and burnout.

Recommendations: Slack, HipChat, Yammer

Feedback

A large part of communication is feedback. Annual performance reviews are not regular enough and don’t provide the tools an employee needs to improve. They need timely feedback when it’s most important.

Companies such as Adobe use the agile method to provide ongoing feedback to employees. They use modern technology to create a system that is linked to Gamification in the workplace. This nontraditional approach works on the basis that employees will feel more engaged if they are recognised and rewarded for their performance. Employees may compete for points or achievements. Predetermined rules decide what rewards the employees will receive for certain achievements, as they would in a video game. Gamification has been gaining popularity due to research from behavioural economics and human motivation studies.

Recommendations: 15Five, Kudos, Tap my Back, and Globoforce

Access to eLearning tools

Providing employees with opportunities to expand their knowledge and skill set is proven to positively impact morale. Studies have shown that it leads to:

• Increased productivity and impact
  
  
• Increased job satisfaction
  
  
• More opportunities for promotion

Various formal and informal eLearning platforms have emerged from advances in technology. Companies can utilise video, audio streaming and shareable content to effectively train employees. Not only does it improve employees performance but the skills they gain can benefit your company too.

Recommendations: Udemy, Lynda.com, and Skillshare

Flexibility

Cloud-based technology has made it possible for employees to access projects and login from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. This technology can be used to offer employees flexible hours and the option to work from home. The mobility gives employees more control over when and where they work, so they can choose when is optimal for them.

Recommendations: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive

Summary

Technology is just a tool, and like all other tools, it can have positive or negative effects on the work culture. Organisations need to have a clear roadmap in place for navigating current and emerging workplace technology. Choosing the right technology for your company is crucial especially as millennials, who have grown up with technology, now make up the majority of the workforce.

Implementing the technology mentioned in this article will help improve your company culture. However, empowering your employees to co-create your culture to increase performance and engagement is essential. 

Get in touch with Flock today to create a company culture your employees believe in.

We help businesses increase performance by building engaged cultures. Find out more here, or send a message to [email protected].