Most people now spend at least part of their day working remotely, and the rise of digital communication tools has made this easier than ever. But just because you can work from anywhere doesn’t mean that your remote workplace is effective. In fact, there are several things you can do to improve your digital workplace.
A digital workplace is a term used to describe employees’ tools and technology to communicate and collaborate. It can include everything from email and chat apps to online collaboration tools and file-sharing platforms.
Numerous things go into making a digital workplace effective. Here are some digital workplace governance tips for improving yours:
Define your goals and objectives
Before you can start improving your digital workplace, you need to know what you want to achieve. Do you want to improve communication between team members? Increase collaboration on projects? Make it easier for employees to find the information they need? Once you define your objectives, you can start looking for ways to achieve them.
For example, an online store selling beauty products might want to increase customer loyalty and reduce shopping cart abandonment. To achieve this, they can implement a customer loyalty program that gives points for every purchase and provides helpful information and tips on their website and social media channels.
Establish clear guidelines and procedures
You need to establish clear guidelines and procedures to help everyone in your organization understand your expectations of them and how they can contribute to the goal.
For instance, if one of your goals is to reduce the time it takes to process orders, you might establish a procedure requiring all orders to be entered into the system within 24 hours of being placed. You might also set up a process for escalating any orders taking longer than usual to process.
Identify your audience
Who will use your digital workplace? Employees? Customers? Partners? Vendors? Once you know your audience, you can start tailoring your tools and content to meet their needs.
For example, if you’re trying to improve communication between team members, you might want to invest in team chat apps, such as Slack or Microsoft Teams. But if you’re trying to reach customers, you might want to focus on a more user-friendly customer relationship management (CRM) system.
Invest in the right tools
There are a lot of different tools available that can help improve communication and collaboration in the workplace. But not all of them work with your business. You should take time to research the different options and find the ones that work best for your team.
For example, if you’re looking for a team chat app, you might want to compare Slack and Microsoft Teams. Both apps offer similar features, but Slack is generally more affordable and easier to use. However, Microsoft Teams has better integration with other Microsoft products.
Provide training and support
If you want your digital workplace to be successful, you need to provide training and support for employees. This helps them understand how to use the tools and ensure that they are comfortable with your established procedures.
You might offer training during new employee orientation or provide online tutorials that employees can access at their convenience. You should also make sure that someone is available to answer questions and provide help when needed.
Encourage feedback
Your digital workplace won’t be effective if you don’t get feedback from your employees. Encourage them to provide feedback on the different tools and processes. This will help you identify areas that need improvement.
But before you ask for feedback, ensure that your employees’ experience with your digital workplace is positive.
For instance, your software and tools should align with all aspects of your business, such as your workplace culture, policies, recruitment process, onboarding new employees, etc. Follow here to learn more.
Keep it up to date
The digital workplace is constantly evolving, so you need to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. It can be challenging, but there are a few different ways you can stay up to date. You can read industry news, attend conferences, or even follow thought leaders on social media.
Benchmark your progress
Once you’ve made changes to your digital workplace, digital benchmarking your progress is vital. This helps you see if the changes have the desired effect. It can also help you identify any areas that still need improvement.
Consider these tips:
- Compare your current score to your baseline score (the score you achieved before making any changes).
- Compare your results against industry benchmarks.
- Consider using a tool such as Google Analytics to track how users interact with your digital workplace tools.
Adjust as needed
The digital workplace is a fluid environment, so you need to be prepared to make changes as needed. Never be afraid to explore and experiment with different tools and processes. Don’t be overwhelmed if you find that something that works well in one context doesn’t work so well in another.
Celebrate successes
When things go well, celebrate your successes. This helps motivate your team and encourage them to continue using the digital workplace tools and processes you’ve put in place.
