Firms Fall Short: Insufficient Investment in Workforce Technology Solutions

Don't Skip the Tech Upgrade: It's Time to Level Up Your Company's Digital game

It's no secret that the majority of workers prefer using their own tech for work tasks - but listen, this isn't all roses and sunshine. There's a darker side to this trend, as it exposes businesses to potential cybersecurity, compliance, and productivity issues.

Recent findings from Diversified reveal that companies are lagging in investing in essential workforce technologies like videoconferencing tools, collaboration platforms, and advanced production and broadcast solutions. This lack of investment puts both productivity and employees' well-being on the line.

A survey of over 1,600 U.S. workers showed that an astounding 89% use personal devices or apps for work tasks, as they find them more user-friendly compared to company-provided alternatives. This preference, however, is causing major issues for businesses, with 88% of respondents claiming that their employer's tech hampers innovation and problem-solving.

With work teams becoming increasingly global and relying on collaboration software, 77% of survey participants work for companies offering hybrid work options. The majority, 92%, split their workweek between the office and remote locations, something they generally prefer.

Most workers prize flexibility, with 86% considering it a significant factor when job hunting, and 49% willing to compromise on salary for hybrid work arrangements. Even more, leaders, 69%, share the same sentiment.

The survey also found that CEOs are keen to reinvent workspaces, with 73% seeking ways to repurpose office space, and 83% interested in incorporating public-use areas. Eric Hutto, CEO of Diversified, asserted that forcing employees to return to the office diminishes trust and loyalty. Instead, he advocates for creating dynamic, engaging spaces and gradually increasing purposeful face-to-face interaction.

When it comes to modernizing the workplace, discussions have primarily focused on productivity. However, workplace technology plays a crucial role in shaping the human experience, as Jason Kornweiss, SVP of advisory services at Diversified, highlights. "Now, workplace structures have to cater to employee comfort and efficiency, while driving satisfaction and productivity, regardless of the work location," he explains.

The survey also uncovered that inadequate technology integration leads to negative impacts on work-life balance, with 60% of participants noting that tech-related issues interfere with their personal lives. Furthermore, 76% feel pressured to always be online, and 24% of late-working respondents cited technology delays as the reason for overtime. These results emphasize the importance of technology integration in enhancing both productivity and employee satisfaction.

In today's hybrid work era, modern AV solutions and collaboration technologies bring diverse voices together and provide expanded opportunities for a broader talent pool. Notably, the Department of Labor reports that the number of disabled adults in the labor market has more than doubled in the last five years due to remote work. Additionally, 92% of respondents stated that they have stronger connections with their families when working from home, better supporting their emotional and educational needs.

According to Hutto, "Remote and hybrid work over the past five years have fundamentally shifted the employee-employer dynamic. Now, employees have new expectations, technology continues to advance, and it's time for companies to embrace adaptable, tech-powered workspaces that bring people together - regardless of where they are - and keep them engaged."

*[Keeping Up with Hybrid]***

Cybersecurity and Compliance Risks

Data Breaches: Employees who use personal devices or unsanctioned apps for work purposes pose significant data breach risks. This is due to the lack of control and security measures implemented by the company.
Non-Compliance: Companies risk non-compliance with cybersecurity regulations when they fail to invest in digital tools. This leaves them exposed to legal and financial consequences.
Data Protection: digital tools deployed by the company should be secure and compliant to handle sensitive data properly. Failing to do so may result in unauthorized access or data leaks.

*[Productivity and Employee Well-being]***

Productivity Loss

Communication Breakdowns: Inadequate digital tools lead to inefficiencies, causing employees to spend an estimated 10 full workweeks annually on tasks like information searching, waiting, and redoing tasks.
Talent Retention: Frontline workers are willing to quit their current jobs for companies offering more modern digital workplaces, resulting in productivity loss due to turnover.

Employee Well-being

Workforce Disengagement: Lack of investment in digital tools results in employee disengagement due to a lack of understanding of company strategies and limited feedback channels.
Stress and Burnout: Inadequate digital tools cause friction, leading to stress levels, burnout, and overall reduced well-being.
Modern Workplace Expectations: Employees have grown to expect a more flexible and digital work environment, and underinvestment in these areas leads to dissatisfaction and decreased well-being.
The trend of employees preferring personal tech for work tasks, as revealed in a survey, exposes businesses to potential cybersecurity risks, compliance issues, and productivity losses.
Diversified's recent findings show that many companies are lagging in investing in essential workforce technologies such as videoconferencing tools, collaboration platforms, and advanced production and broadcast solutions, which can negatively impact productivity and employee well-being.
In the hybrid work era, inadequate technology integration can lead to negative impacts on work-life balance, with 60% of participants noting that tech-related issues interfere with their personal lives, and 76% feeling pressured to always be online.
The survey also found that modern AV solutions and collaboration technologies can bring diverse voices together, provide expanded opportunities for a broader talent pool, and support employee well-being by enabling remote work, which is considered a significant factor by 86% of workers when job hunting.