The Advantages Of Digital Communication For The Workplace Of Today

The rapid digitisation of the workplace is no new concept for large-scale corporations and enterprises, where digital communication mediums such as Microsoft Outlook and Skype were used to increase productivity and efficiency for years. With the rise of digital marketing, and the advent of accessible technologies and wifi networks that make it possible, even SMEs began to tentatively implement digital communication initiatives in the workplace to compete. However, its salience has evolved since the COVID-19 crisis changed the way that we live and work throughout 2020 and beyond. Today, digital communication has become a necessity for businesses big and small to survive, let alone thrive, in our modern, socially distanced world.

The Importance Of Digital Communication

Aside from ‘stopping the spread’ and reducing the amount of physical contact employees, superiors, and customers have daily, it has also become pivotal in cultivating and preserving a competitive edge across industries. With the ability to provide a seamless experience for customers and stakeholders alike, organisations are capitalising on digital communications to eliminate face-to-face interactions that are time-consuming for all involved. Channels such as AI, chatbots, and automation have been leveraged to make it easier for customers to reach out, solve problems, and transact quickly and conveniently. This focus on customer service has brought forth a new wave of prosperity, giving customers what they need at a time that is convenient for them.

However, we at Real Business have noticed that the complete package of digital communication tools have not yet reached every corner of every office in the UK. Although more accessible and affordable, cultivating a digital workplace is still considered a significant risk for brick-and-mortar businesses that have not established a foundation for it. Furthermore, many worry that it may make valuable physical interactions obsolete. These worries are largely unfounded in today’s digitally-driven world, as digital communication is merely meant to eliminate unnecessary face-to-face contact that makes working and transacting challenging and tedious. In fact, it offers various advantages for the workplace of today in this regard.

The Advantages Of Digital Communication

The work model of today has shown us how truly archaic, outdated, and unnecessary traditional models are for most industries where physical contact is not necessary to generate business and profits. With digital communication mediums advancing in number and efficacy every day, the move to remote working models is not only possible but pivotal for employee productivity and satisfaction.

In general, getting to and from work, punching in and out, taking defined breaks, and so on, results in hours of working time being lost in the process. This is especially true for organisations in areas where congestion is exceedingly high, such as central London. These lost working hours accumulate over time, creating costs that could otherwise be eliminated through digital communications and remote working. Furthermore, these tedious processes also put strain on employees, affecting their productivity and satisfaction. Wasting time getting ready for professional appearances, being stuck in traffic, and adhering to inflexible schedules dampens their morale.

With digital communication tools, however, employees can work from home part or full time to regain these lost hours. This means more time to focus on their specific tasks and more flexibility to allow for other life responsibilities, increasing both productivity and overall satisfaction. And this does not equate to a loss of structure. For example, at Real Business, we have implemented a plethora of tools that can track our employees’ progress, punctuality, and time spent working. Furthermore, employees are able to jump from one task to the next without having to navigate different departments and floors, and automate repetitive ones seamlessly. Simply put, they can work smarter, rather than harder, while having more time on their hands to go above and beyond their roles and ensure a healthy work-life balance.

It is clear that digital communication holds extensive opportunities for global expansion and increased profits, as well as cultivating an empowered, productive workforce – especially where different time zones are concerned. Teams can streamline their work processes, get more work done, and feel connected with their comrades across time and geographic barriers.

If you would like to learn more about the digitisation of workplaces or enjoy general business news, interviews, and inspiration for SMEs – visit Real Business here!