The world hasn’t spent that long in the 21st century and yet we have seen a lot of unbelievable advancements in this time. Computers are king in the workplace and it looks as if the digital age is here to stay. However, computers aren’t the only tool you will need to succeed in the current business climate. Almost every day, something new is brought into the workplace that you can no longer live without. So, what tools will you need moving forward? Let’s take a look.
Skype
The main focus of new technology in the last twenty years has been placed on communication. As a result, it is now easy to speak with people around the globe in real-time. While these advancements have brought you closer to the ones you love, it has also opened up the possibility of working remotely.
You can now send and receive workloads across the internet on private business channels, allowing entire teams of employees to work from home. You may think that this approach is quite isolating; however, the advancements made to video call technology mean that you can reliably talk to your colleagues face to face over the internet. You can hold team meetings, solve problems, or even chat with overseas investors with the help of Skype or other video-call software while also cutting out the need for extended travel.
Corporate Cards
The key difference between a successful company and an unsuccessful one is the ability to manage your company’s finances. Your main concern should always be the relationship between your outgoing expenses and profit margins; however, one of these is simpler to keep a track of than the other.
Your monthly outgoings can leave your account in several ways. You have bills to pay, employee expenses to reimburse, and vital equipment to buy. Trying to keep a track of all these outgoings can be a monumental task, which is why you will benefit from using a corporate credit card. These corporate cards allow you to manage all of your expenses by linking them all under one credit system. You can learn more about how this works at payhawk.com, but the general idea behind this tool is to remove the need for multiple company cards and streamline your monthly outgoings.
Messaging Apps
The main benefit of having all of your employees under one roof is that they get to communicate with each other to solve problems and work effectively as a team. You would think that ability is diminished when working from home, but this is not the case.
Social media is a tool that is mainly used outside of work to stay up-to-date with friends; however, it has so many more applications in the workplace. That is why there are now messaging apps and workplace media platforms that can link all of your employees together like a social media site, but they only utilise the features that benefit you as a business. This means that your staff can instant message each other to learn about projects, you can release companywide statements, and keep on top of your employee’s progress using one programme.
Eye Shields
Computer monitors are necessary for the modern work environment, but that does not mean that they come without issues. These screens emit a U.V light, and this can be difficult to process after a long period. Your staff may have to use these screens for up to eight hours a day, which can lead to eye strain, headaches, and even nausea. It is important to take regular breaks from these screens when time allows; however, there are tools out there to dispel this problem.
Eye shields come in many variations. You can get them to fit neatly over the top of the computer monitor, or purchase U.V protection glasses. Either way, eye shields are incredibly important in the modern workplace and can protect your staff from the ailments associated with working for long periods at a computer.
Ergonomic Chairs
Your staff isn’t only having to stare at a computer screen all day. They are also sitting down for long periods of time.
Unfortunately, this is necessary for most staff as they need to sit to see the computer screen, but there are health issues that can materialise if you spend too long sitting on the wrong type of chair. That is why your staff will need ergonomic chairs in the office. This type of office chair is specifically designed to fit with the curvature of the human spine to prevent backaches. Some offices are even trending toward standing desks; however, standing all day can be quite tiring. Take stock of what you can provide as a business leader and make the best judgment for your staff.
HR Software
The backbone of any major company is its human resource department. These team members are responsible for looking after the welfare of everyone in your company, while also handling any administrative details that concern your employees. Handling the welfare issues of an entire team of staff is enough work for anyone to deal with, and when you pile all of the additional paperwork on top it can be quite overwhelming for your HR team. Luckily, computers are here to save the day once more.
HR software is a companywide database that your human resources team can use to keep track of all the information that relates to your employees. One push of a button can reveal what projects an employee is working on, their shift patterns, holiday time, and so much more. Also, your employees can use this system to provide you with feedback or raise general concerns about the office. A modern company can only succeed if everyone can communicate effectively. Fortunately, HR software gives you the tools to do just that.
Onboarding Systems
While your HR team is busy looking after your current team of employees, they are also tasked with shepherding new staff into the company. A new hire may have had all of the right experience to qualify for the job role, but there is a lot more they need to familiarise themselves with to do their job properly in a new environment. They must learn about company policies, the location of key items, who everyone is, and their role within the company. This is a lot of additional work for both your HR team and your new employees, which is why you should look into integrating an onboarding system.
Onboarding systems are made up of digital software designed to integrate your new employees into the company. It can provide a list of frequently asked questions, a map of the building, and even a full staff roster. Your HR team can send this off to a new employee before their start date so that they are ready to get to work the second they step foot in the building. What’s more, the employee can even use this software to instant message your HR team in case they have any issues.
Conclusion
Staying up-to-date with everything you need is a monumental task; however, there is help out there should you want it. Technology is always moving forward, so make sure you are prepared to keep up so that your business succeeds as it should.
