The future of work

The future of work – A new technological reality

The way we work has changed due to the technological advance. Now, we have tools to work more efficiently and productively. But the speed of the advance may make it difficult for companies and employees to keep up. Companies need to adapt and make new processes, find new markets, form new partnerships and create new business models. For employees, it means that they must let go of ‘going-as- usual-mentality’ and continuously acquire knowledge fast.

The companies that thrive and are successful are those who understand the forces that drive change and what those changes mean to the workplace.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Today, information is created faster than ever. The ability to create insight and  to act based on information have become the key to almost everything: innovation, increased productivity, understanding new customers, market expansion and much more.

Companies have never had so much information on customers, products, operation and market conditions as now. But far from all companies have been able to take advantage of that knowledge and transform it into something they can act on. Here cloud-scale computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning may be valuable assets for gaining a competitive advantage.

Artificial intelligence will transform the workplace in the years to come and make companies capable of achieving even more. Machine learning and artificial intelligence will make it possible to analyze large amounts of data quickly and discover patterns that would be difficult for humans to find. Today, artificial intelligence is used by doctors to help them diagnose diseases and lawyers with searching for legal decisions in large databases; a job that now takes seconds to perform rather than days or weeks. Simply put, machine learning and artificial intelligence can also be used if the same customer always pays late. Here, the system will suggest a shorter time allowed for payment for that customer.

Artificial intelligence will also help us with our most precious commodity: time. Soon, digital assistants will be able for predict our needs, help manage our calendar and time, prepare us for meetings, help us plan our social lives, respond to and forward communications, and drive our cars.

Lifelong learning

When technology can replace many routine tasks and assist in the more complex, the need for the creative human brain increases. Several companies have discovered that employees that possess qualities such as imagination, empathy, creativity and ingenuity are the key to success. But in order to be a part of the workplace of the future, readiness for change may be the most important quality. The ability to acquire new knowledge fast is necessary to be part of the workplace of the future.

The digital native generations

Also, within the workforce the technological advance creates changes. The new generations are digital natives. They have grown up with cell phones and tablets, and they are used to using them and being online. The are quick to embrace technology and use it.

And what does this mean for companies? The new generations already make up a large part of the workforce and they will only increase in the years to come. Companies are met with new demands as the new generations have a new approach to working. They expect flexibility for where and when they work. They do not necessarily want to work at the same desk every day. They have a more fluctuating approach to work. They want to be able to work other places e.g. cafeteria, meeting rooms, cafes, on the business trip and at home.

Companies’ success depends on their ability to manage new technology, new demands from new generations and lifelong learning for the employees. Companies must be able to offer a modern work environment where employees can work together safely on different times and from different locations. This means, that employees must be able to communicate with each other and access files and data wherever they are. And in these climate aware times, it is good to save a plane trip if the meeting can be held over the computer.

The future of work and tools

Microsoft offers different products that already make it possible for companies to take advantage of the technology for their own gain. By doing so, they can create the future of work where employees regardless of generational affiliation and location in the world can work together safely, when and where they want to. And by using artificial intelligence and machine learning, companies may gain valuable insights that can give them a competitive advantage.

Microsoft 365 is Microsoft’s IT platform in the cloud. Microsoft 365 is an intelligent solution with Office 365, Windows 10 and Enterprise Mobility + Security.

Microsoft Teams offers the opportunity for working together, safely. Employees can among other plan and hold online meetings, share files, and chat where they are.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based platform, that unites ERP and CRM. Dynamics 365 consist of a number of intelligent applications for managing business processes within Sales, Customer Service, Finance and Operations, Field Service, Project Service Automation, Marketing, Business Central, Talent, Retail, Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Reality.

This blog was inspired by The Future of Work – empowering people and organizations to achieve more.