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Working conditions have a significant impact on employee engagement. For example, organizations that offer flexibility in when, how, and where work is completed tend to enjoy higher employee engagement levels. Basic convenience and comfort in the office can make an extraordinary difference in employees’ ability to remain involved in their work and connected to their company.
New technology, often referred to as Smart Office 2.0, is specifically designed to maximize engagement, improve productivity, and remove the most common obstacles for a highly-effective workforce. Here’s how you can start building your own smart office 2.0.
Smart Lighting
In a survey by Memoori, 40.2 percent of respondents indicated that abundant natural light improves their concentration. On the other hand, 26.5 percent of respondents stated that halogen and fluorescent tube lighting equipment hinder their concentration. Smart office technology offers customized light settings for individual staff members. When employees enter a work area, lighting automatically adjusts based on user preferences.
Environmental Systems
Temperature and ventilation are critical components of the work experience, and many respondents in the Memoori survey noted that their workspace is typically too hot (15.3 percent) or too cold (31.2 percent). Because temperature preferences vary by gender and age, there is simply no one-size-fits-all approach.
Fortunately, smart office technology has made individual environmental controls a reality. While only 3.6 percent of respondents have the ability to manage the temperature in their office or cubicle, use of this technology is growing rapidly. Some organizations have adopted features that automatically adjust the environment of conference rooms and other workspaces based on the personal preferences of the occupants.
Personal Digital Assistants
Use of personal digital assistants like Amazon’s Alexa is now mainstream for homes. However, this technology hasn’t been widely used in offices – at least, not yet. Developers are perfecting work-based versions of the most popular personal digital assistants, and it won’t be long before Alexa for Business and related applications will manage calendars, make calls, and generally help employees stay organized throughout the workday.
Internet of Things (IoT)
From mobile devices to wearable technology, more and more items are joining the digital revolution. This massive move towards connectivity is referred to as the Internet of Things.
As buildings grow smarter, IoT devices will be more useful, leading to the development of more IoT devices. This additional connectivity makes it simple to collect large amounts of data about employees and how they interact with their environments. Through automated analysis, employers will be able to leverage data to create more responsive and engaging workplaces.
Final Thoughts
The digital transformation has changed the way consumers make purchase decisions, and it is no longer enough to compete on price. Successful organizations are differentiating their brands with innovative products and excellent customer service. The only way to attract and retain innovative, productive employees is by creating an engaging work environment that exceeds their expectations for simplicity, control, and comfort. Smart Office 2.0 is the obvious next step for industry leaders.
Learn more about maximizing the use of technology in the workplace with the experts at Stronghold Data.
