A digital workforce is growing at a rapid pace and changing the business landscape. More and more young people prioritize flexibility, aim to strike a fine work-life balance and climb up the career ladder on their own terms. They are reluctant to spend a good part of their life in a sterile cubicle that is called a corporate office.
Business owners have recognized this shift and offer digital employees the freedom to work from anywhere they want. All of this has taken place in the wake of strong digital influences that have reshaped our economy and reality. Thus, it is high time to rethink the way companies manage employees and workspaces.
Digital transformation
Digital workers are put off by corporate power games, hierarchical structures, pushy bosses, and rigid rules. Instead of a structure that is set in stone, they long for a meaningful and exciting career that brings freedom and flexibility. As a result, business owners and managers are under pressure to adapt to the winds of change.
Around 43% of employed Americans say that they spend at least some time working remotely. Continuous advancements in technology have made this method of work feasible and flexible work arrangements are now among the most desired work perks. Consequently, the modern business culture puts the worker with specific wants and needs back into focus.
This new strategy increases the level of happiness and satisfaction, which also has a profound effect on productivity and motivation. Besides, when you give someone an opportunity to work in the most effective and convenient way, then the results are going to be satisfactory, to say the least. It does not come as a surprise that this kind of approach attracts top talent and boosts retention rates.
On the other hand, losing direct oversight is one of the main drawbacks of practices such as remote work and telecommuting. With smart management, though, it’s possible to keep the workers focused on company goals. Good communication, of course, has a vital role to play and digital natives are certainly used to social media, instant messaging platforms, and communication apps.
Coworking environments
Furthermore, we have witnessed the rise of coworking spaces. They are sprouting across the globe like mushrooms after the rain. This trend is gaining much traction indeed and poses a viable alternative to traditional offices. It’s estimated that by 2020, 1.55 billion workers will be situated in coworking areas globally.
One of the advantages is the ability to share expenses with others and cut operating costs significantly. What’s more, coworking environments serve as bustling hubs for creative individuals, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and professionals who have similar interests and ideas. Hence, there are plenty of networking opportunities.
You don’t only share the workspace, but also ideas and knowledge, and have a chance to become a part of a dynamic social movement. Finally, many coworking spaces, such as a coworking office in Melbourne, have all the necessary office equipment, a set of various amenities, as well as private and open work zones.
Public Spaces
Most people do not think that places like cafes and restaurants are suitable workplaces, yet they often accommodate digital workers. People who work on a computer have become a common sight in recent years. Coffee shops are perhaps the most well-known examples as they cater to a generation of tech-savvy individuals in need of a caffeine supply for themselves and power outlets for their gadgets.
They also visit libraries that have free Wi-Fi, plenty of tables, printing and scanning services, and a quiet and studious environment. Others opt for dining establishments and public spaces like parks. In that regard, since the internet is the air that digital workers breathe, they are always on the lookout for places that provide a solid connection.
At last, some workers decide to work from home and many of them invest in their home offices. They do not ditch the cubicle only to work on a kitchen table. Namely, they take advantage of a home office setting to blend comfort and functionality. In your own home, you are in a position to decorate, personalize, and make space speak to your personality and fit your specific needs.
Outside the box
The digital revolution has created a brave new business world in which the obsolete practices of yesterday are dismantled. The out-of-office crowd is getting bigger and bigger, as people are fed up being confined to their desks and having bosses loom over them constantly.
The new way of working is beneficial both to employers and workers. It is the present and future of doing business and building a fruitful career. The traditional office struggles to survive, but it is as clear as day that innovative work environments are here to stay.
About Author:
Victoria is a Digital Marketing Strategist. She works with driven, creative, and passionate entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to bring their visions to life. An Enthusiastic writer who follows the latest marketing and technology trends to get a glimpse of the future.