Modern Workforce Trends: Transforming the Way We Work

Harnath Babu, CIO, KPMG India

Harnath Babu, CIO, KPMG India

It is the modern age – times when we often exchange emails with people sitting in the same building, or even in the same room, when our messages pop-up instantly on their smart devices, when we receive alerts via push notifications, and when we do not necessarily have to meet people in person to communicate as there are tools for online meetings.

Now imagine DElorean time machine taking you back to a work day in 1970. No PC on your desk, no smartphone in your pocket and no instant messaging tool to connect with colleagues. Rather, your desk is filled with snail mail, most communication takes place in person or over landlines, and all documents are hard copies.

Let’s face it: Had this been the reality today, we would certainly be paralyzed!

After all, with the way technology has taken over the workplace as well as our personal lives, it is next to impossible to imagine working without computers, mobiles, emails, office productivity apps, and Internet. From the introduction of digital technologies to the increasing trend of mobile and remote working, the way work ‘works’ today has changed drastically over time. Gone are the days of being hooked to PC at desk, following strict 9 to 5 routine, and punching in and out, we are now accustomed to checking emails before brushing teeth in the morning, attending meetings on our commutes, and getting a number of tasks done while away from office.

The modern workplace, hit by millions of young workers, is now driven by self-service requirements, which means they want the same independence at work as they have as consumers. They expect to do everything on their own easily by using a mobile device, and Gen X is quickly following their steps.

Flexibility has become their preferred choice– they want to be able to take a day off, or might work on weekends. They certainly don’t want to depend solely on their desktop/laptop to complete tasks like apply for a leave, book tickets for business travels, apply for reimbursements, and the like. They appreciate the ease and flexibility of being able to view, access and update information while on the move. This is no longer a luxury for them, but a part of daily routine.

"With growing collaboration demands, employees are now being technically enabled to stay connected and work together on common projects through collaborative tools, irrespective of their physical location"

This is why companies are empowering their workforce with enterprise-grade applications that enable them to manage their schedules and work whenever & wherever they are. Technology is being embraced in a manner that enables employees to use their personal devices at work and not end up switching gears before & after working hours.

Also with growing collaboration demands, employees are now being technically enabled to stay connected and work together on common projects through collaborative tools, irrespective of their physical location. They can now digitally share documents, and communicate with team members instantly. Moreover, the modern workforce is no longer restricted to the office space to catch up on business-critical tasks. They can easily access the company’s network and work remotely from a client site, the comfort of their home, or even a hotel across the country.

Besides embracing the modern approach and giving employees an easy access to their work from anywhere and at any time, ensuring utmost security of business data from both external and internal threats is of paramount importance. Along with the flexibility in terms of mobility, there should be a balanced approach and deployment of right tools at both the network and endpoint layer to make sure that the company and client information is protected from threats in the form of unauthorized access, hacking, social engineering, etc.

Conclusion

Study after study, the concept of workforce flexibility comes up. And to meet the ever-evolving modern workforce trends and requirements of the tech-savvy, hyper-connected generation, it has become a must for forward thinking companies to create an employee-oriented work environment that has the right technology in place and keeps the young workers engaged. The role of CIOs is not only confined to build IT strategies and run operations but also strike the balance between expectations of Gen Y and the Millennials in a way that technology can be easily leveraged by everyone.

Organizations that embrace the modern workforce trends are set to function more effectively and efficiently, boosting the employee experience as well as performance —as the business, technology and social norms evolve.

Founded in 1993, KPMG India provides risk, financial & business advisory, tax & regulatory services, internal audit, and corporate governance services.