What do all 2017 workplace trends have in common?

The very nature of the workplace is changing at a tremendous pace, with challenges like finding specialized talent, catering to an on-demand workforce, accommodating more flexible work environments and creating enhanced employment experiences capping it off. These factors have significantly impacted how companies recruit, retain, train and grow their workforce to achieve future success.

The global competition for the best, most fitting talent is nothing short of fierce. It is therefore crucial for companies to rise as digital leaders, or at the very least remain relevant by differentiating themselves with the right strategies and useful tools that complement today’s connected era and technologically-savvy workforce.
A secret to achieving an enhanced employee experience involves a two-fold approach: creating a digital environment that is both so efficient and seamless that it goes unnoticed, and one that is personalised and adaptable to employees’ unique preferences. With video specifically, the Holy Grail lies in delivering it to any type of device – from computers to smartphones and tablets, and leveraging digital signage systems to improve the reach of internal communications, wherever the location of the employee.
So what are some emerging workplace trends, how does the above come into play and why is video the factor they all have in common?

Trend #1: Enhancing employee experience will be a growing focus
It’s not rocket science that happy employees lead to increased loyalty and better performance, tangibly resulting in revenue growth. In 2014, revenues of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For increased by an average 22 percent from the year before. Effective employee engagement and retention is a top issue as the propensity for job-hopping continues to grow. A recent study found that 83 percent of HR professionals believe employee experience is important or very important to organizational success, with more investment in training and development (56 percent) and improving the work space (51 percent) the leading methods to do this. Video can be used effectively as a method to provide resources like on-demand training materials – helping employees remain up-to-date with the latest resources to sharpen their skills, leading to increased effectiveness.

Trend #2: The propensity for blended workforces is on the rise
With more companies cutting operational costs like employee benefits to allocate more budget and resources aimed at direct profit-driving initiatives, the hiring of freelancers for many is growing. With it naturally comes the increased propensity for these freelancers to work with employee teams, from single tasks to short-term projects and even long-term, integrated campaigns – leading to something that’s come to be known as a ‘blended workforce’. With these freelancers working anywhere from the same postcode to a different time zone, having the right technological tools in place to keep these blended workforces connected to seamlessly work together and produce deliverables is critical. With the right video system, employees can communicate effectively with their freelancer colleagues, as well as share and archive resources for flexible access whenever they choose, and on their device of choice.

Trend #3: Generation Z will be entering the workplace
With a widened technology gap compared with older workers and fresh perspectives on business, Generation Z is undoubtedly going to give companies a run for their money in a very good way. This technologically-reliant, multi-tasking, hyper-aware generation with an entrepreneurial – yet realistic – spirit will more than likely enter their first jobs with high expectations of their employers to be digitally-savvy and embrace flexibility. Video is a tangible method to address this.
With the rise in popularity and increasingly frequent use of smartphones in the workplace, businesses should welcome them. Answering client requests, responding to market fluctuations and communicating with satellite offices on the other side of the world all rely on employees having ubiquitous access to online services. Businesses can offer that same ease of access to mobile video. Extending the reach and availability of relevant video materials empowers employees with the means to complete tasks, stay up-to-date with live industry news and keep their skills sharpened. This is the type of everyday expectation that Generation Z will assume is a transfixed ingredient in the workplace ecosystem.
It is undeniable that video is an increasingly promising gateway for the sustained success of the workplace. Being aware of these emerging trends, quick to recognise what they could mean for their business and swiftly turning them into actionable tactics to enhance the employee experience can bring exciting opportunities to attract, engage and retain the top talent of tomorrow.