How do new technologies make us more productive at work?
With the digital transformation of companies and the explosion of remote work, more and more tools have intruded into our professional lives. While technological progress is debated, it remains the great engine of improvement and optimization of work productivity. Indeed, these tools help professionals improve their individual and collective performance by eliminating routine processes.
We tend to think that new technologies are a threat to human work. How many times have we heard « robots will soon replace us »? Yet, studies show that these machines are significant assets to human work and productivity. Since the spread of telecommuting, the use of digital tools has surged. According to a study by the Socio-Economic Institute of Luxembourg, 36% of teleworkers have experimented with new digital tools during their confinement, and 19% have used digital services more frequently than before.
The new software has been used to compensate for the physical absence of employees, with the aim of minimizing the impact on employee productivity and, if possible, even improving it. A study by the Sapiens Institute recorded a 22% increase in employee productivity in March 2021. A trend that continues to be confirmed over the years.
How do new technologies make us more productive at work?
3 ways in which technology improves productivity at work
The improvement in human team productivity through technology is channeled in three ways:
● Reducing the time it takes to do the job: technology provides faster and more efficient ways with more advanced tools and collaborative work or organization.
● Total or partial elimination, or even radical change, of a step in the business: replacing routine personal processes with automated ones. For example, chatbots are programs capable of interacting with humans automatically, through text messages and, increasingly, through fluid and consistent conversation. According to Gartner, using chatbots would increase productivity by up to 50%.
● Increased motivation and reduced stress at work: connectivity or cloud computing are some of the technologies that make work more flexible by directly affecting motivation.
Thanks to new technologies, on the one hand, the professional can focus on creativity, innovation and analysis. On the other hand, they can focus on human relations, whether they are internal or external to the company.
Artificial intelligence and emotional intelligence complement each other
Today, machines are capable of sorting resumes efficiently, predicting sales, detecting fraud, or providing answers to customers by phone or email. Artificial intelligence (AI) aims to imitate human intelligence through applications that perform complex tasks that previously required human intervention. In so-called augmented enterprises, AI accompanies and improves technical and managerial processes. So will machines soon replace managers? In reality, artificial intelligence is able to replace the manager on some automatable tasks, to assist him on others and to improve the realization of tasks for which he will be more efficient by working with AI. But the main asset of a professional, which no machine can replace or even imitate: his emotions!
Creativity, adaptability, knowledge transmission, stress management… All these social and emotional qualities are essential assets of the human being compared to the machine. In fact, emotional intelligence perfectly complements artificial intelligence. The development of AI should allow humans to focus only on tasks that only they can perform. For example, artificial intelligence can write reports, but only a human can deliver a message that can actually reach employees. Machines can make schedules, but only humans can develop strategies. In short, Emotional or Artificial Intelligence should be used to enhance human judgment, not replace it.
Today, machines are capable of sorting resumes efficiently, predicting sales, detecting fraud, or providing answers to customers by phone or email. Artificial intelligence (AI) aims to imitate human intelligence through applications that perform complex tasks that previously required human intervention. In so-called augmented enterprises, AI accompanies and improves technical and managerial processes. So will machines soon replace managers? In reality, artificial intelligence is able to replace the manager on some automatable tasks, to assist him on others and to improve the realization of tasks for which he will be more efficient by working with AI. But the main asset of a professional, which no machine can replace or even imitate: his emotions!
Creativity, adaptability, knowledge transmission, stress management… All these social and emotional qualities are essential assets of the human being compared to the machine. In fact, emotional intelligence perfectly complements artificial intelligence. The development of AI should allow humans to focus only on tasks that only they can perform. For example, artificial intelligence can write reports, but only a human can deliver a message that can actually reach employees. Machines can make schedules, but only humans can develop strategies. In short, Emotional or Artificial Intelligence should be used to enhance human judgment, not replace it.
How do new technologies make us more productive at work?
A few technological tools that boost the performance of professionals
Saving time, higher performance, better internal and external communication, centralization of information, improved user experience… Digital transformation plays an essential role in the organization of a company. Big company or small entrepreneur, each one is forced to equip itself with new tools to be always more efficient. Here’s a roundup of the essential digital transformation tools to boost your performance at work.
1. Collaborative solutions:
Because the time is mobile, it is essential that everyone can access all the necessary data thanks to:
● Gmail
● Docs
● Drive
● Calendar
● Meet
● Word
● Excel
● Teams
● One Drive
● Outlook…
2. Communication platforms:
Telecommuting, colleagues abroad… It is necessary to be able to communicate differently. Digital communication tools allow, at a lower cost, to communicate anywhere in the world. With tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype or Google Meet, you can create groups for each mission and thus be sure that each stakeholder follows the evolution of the project. Not only does this allow you to better disseminate information, but it is also a relevant solution to involve all the actors. Everyone can intervene to answer a question or propose a solution. Involvement is a fundamental element in stimulating teams and pulling them upwards so that they achieve their objectives.
3. Project management tools:
If communication must be centralized, projects must also be centralized. This is a matter of better organization and time saving. To promote teamwork, a project management tool is essential. With it, you can create and plan tasks, create a schedule and follow the progress of each project. Everyone involved is informed in real time. The most popular project management tools today are Jira, Monday, Atlassian, Asana, Airtable, Notion and Trello.
Payroll service/umbrella company SKALIS : a way to improve the productivity of freelancers
By adopting the umbrella company, the consultant no longer has to choose between independence and salaried employment. He benefits from the advantages of both. Indeed, the wage portage makes it possible to keep his independence while being released from all the administrative constraints: invoicing, customer follow-up, accounting, various declarations with the public organizations etc. The consultant can then be more productive by devoting himself entirely to his mission. The companies of portage salarial also take in charge the follow-up of the customers in order to ensure systematically the payment of the salaries to their ported consultants. Like any employee, the freelance consultant can benefit from continuous professional training. He can then ensure and expand his knowledge and expertise to develop his business and boost his turnover. Another way to increase his productivity.
