Not so long ago, a 9-to-5 job was the dream of every young professional entering the workforce. With advances in mobile technology, apps, and programs, however, working in the office is no longer something to aspire to, at least not in the traditional sense. Today’s workforce is more interested in doing jobs creatively and efficiently, which often goes against the tide of office expectations. Discover five ways technology is killing the traditional office.
Communication Through Technology Can Occur Anywhere
Not only has technology changed the way people communicate, but it’s also changed the way we think about communication in general. Business meetings don’t need to occur in-person. Training managers teach classes to employees in offices throughout the United States from their hubs — or their homes. Advertisers in New York City pitch ideas to companies in Los Angeles without boarding a plane.
Not so long ago, older generations clucked their tongues at millennials texting their friends. Now you can find apps devoted to group texts and chat rooms among team members. Theoretically, you can attend a meeting from your bed.
Productivity Has No Physical Limitations
In addition to making communication more convenient and versatile, technology allows us to get in touch with people instantly. The ability to talk to someone at a moment’s notice or send a project draft to a team, no matter where team members are, has a tremendous effect on productivity. Couple this with a range of ingenious tech inventions for the office, like those suggested by YArooms, and creativity is no longer restricted to time clocks or office settings.
Remote Working Abilities Make the Office Obsolete
The increasing popularity of telecommuting and working from home is quickly influencing office culture. It’s not entirely obsolete — that’s a hyperbole — but many employees now fight against the idea that the 9-to-5 workday is the only choice. In addition to attending meetings from half a world away and sharing ideas in the blink of a second, technological advances allow employees in a growing number of industries to work from anywhere.
This remote work ability also affects productivity. Employees can still provide input and ideas on their days off and during vacations. They don’t necessarily have to work during their off-time, but they can — and do — contribute. Today’s professionals aren’t interested in being trapped in their offices.
Younger people in the workforce, such as millennials and the first wave of Generation Z, look for jobs outside the traditional realm. For example, the value of working for a company such as Amway, which eschews traditional office culture, is more and more palatable. While people who subscribe to Amway’s health and beauty products still have goals to reach, they’re in charge of how often and when they work.
Gig Opportunities Have Increased
Thanks to the technology that allows employees to do their work from anywhere, full-time employees may become somewhat obsolete also. A need will always exist for full-time employees, of course, but now more than ever, companies turn to independent contractors who freelance their skills and work on a job-by-job basis. As a result, employers can hire someone to complete a gig rather than fill a position. This flexibility is a boon for businesses because they don’t have to worry about providing benefits or insurance to freelancers.
Technology Makes Work and Life More Balanced
Meetings don’t make employees more productive. Today’s workforce abhors meetings. Younger professionals don’t want to work a traditional workday trapped in the office — and it’s no longer necessary. Since employees can accomplish more at a faster rate using the technology available to them — whether it’s sending a text, using an app, or sharing information via digital tools — they have a better work-life balance. Happiness and success are no longer mutually exclusive.
Office culture isn’t likely to die, but it’s no longer the beacon of the workforce. No one dreams of spending all of their time in an office anymore. The mistake is in thinking that younger professionals don’t care about succeeding simply because they rely on technology. They’re embracing technology and pushing it as far as possible because they’re smart. How has the culture in your office changed recently?
