Monday Motivation: technology that’s the right fit

3 minute read time.

Amidst reports that nearly three quarters of workers are unhappy with the technology they use at work, we offer some advice on how to choose the right software and hardware for your business.

In the news, Ofcom has proposed changes that would make it easier to switch mobile phone network, and national living wage could improve employee loyalty.

Top news stories

Switching mobile networks to be made easier

Ofcom has proposed two options to make mobile switching quicker and simpler, and support competition in the market.

Majority of government's SME spending goes through big firms first

Around 60% of government's overall spending with SMEs is subcontracted through larger firms first, it emerged in a government meeting this week.

Small business lending via government loan scheme continues to drop

The number of small firms being approved loans by the government-backed Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme has dropped to its lowest figure ever.

Android Pay in UK ‘a few months’ away

Google has said it will be bringing Android Pay to the UK “in the next few months”, following Samsung’s version which is set to launch here later this year.

62% of under-25s would be more loyal to their employer if it paid national living wage

However, 57% of respondents expect management to demand higher levels of productivity in return for the higher rate of pay.

Key dates for your diary

31 March: World Backup Day. It’s a great time to review your backup protocol.

1 April: National Living Wage introduced.

1 April: The Pension Protection Fund and Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling and Compensation Cap) Order 2016

The right technology for your business and your employees

The workplace is changing and the arrival of millenials in the office brings different expectations. Some of these are about the technology that should be available for them, including smartphones.

But even older workers are frequently unhappy with the technology on offer, with 51% saying it does not allow them to work effectively. So what should you do to ensure you have the right tech for your workers – and why it matters.

The difference it makes

The right technology can:

  • Improve efficiency: 22% of staff think the software they use directly affects their productivity. Having the right technology will make them more efficient – McKinsey research shows that the right tech, including social technology, could bring a 20-25% improvement in productivity.
  • Increase staff morale and retention: feeling frustrated at work because you can’t get your job done efficiently can lower morale and even lead to staff looking for new roles. Getting your technology sorted can help – and also improve recruitment. Sites like Glassdoor often include comments from workers about whether they have the right technology, so it’s clear it’s an important factor in retaining staff.
  • Better customer service: having the right information at your fingertips, through systems that are fast and efficient, makes it easier to provide the right information to your customers. This can increase customer retention and increase positive word of mouth.

How to ensure you have the right technology

Here are some simple steps:

  1. Ask your teams – workers are often well-placed to understand what they need and may also use technology in their own time that could work well for your business.
  2. Keep up to date with new technologies – from wearables to beacons, technology continues to evolve, so it pays to stay up to date, whatever your business.
  3. Have a clear strategy – know what systems you need and how they fit together. Develop a clear scope and timescales, so you can evaluate any technology properly.
  4. Test it – you should be able to trial the software or hardware before you commit. Make sure the teams who will be using it get to try it out and take their feedback on board.
  5. Make sure people have the right training – sometimes, it’s not the technology that’s at fault. The right training ensures everyone gets the most from the software and hardware and that your teams use all the functionality that’s available.
  6. Install the updates and upgrade when you can – the latest software will have new functionality, is often more efficient and will keep your business compliant and able to keep up with your competitors. A small investment in upgrading to the latest version could have a big impact on productivity and help your business to stay current.