The Future of the Digital Workplace (2025 and Beyond)

Last Updated on August 5, 2024

What does the future of the digital workplace look like?

In this article, I will share my thoughts regarding the future of work — especially the digital workplace.

Let’s get started.

What is a digital workplace?

Before everything else, let me introduce the concept of the digital workplace…

The evolving digital workplace is a type of work environment that combines traditional elements with more modern tools.

Basically, it’s where teams work remotely on projects and collaborate using virtual means such as:

• Instant messaging
• Cloud computing
• File sharing

It allows employees to work from anywhere while staying connected to their colleagues, customers, and resources.

This allows for greater efficiency and productivity, as well as increased collaboration between team members. 👍

Why are digital workplaces important?

Since the pandemic started changing the economic landscape in 2020, companies integrated a digital transformation strategy to adapt.

Here are important reasons for adapting to the digital workplace:

1. Keep up productivity while at home

The digital workplace has become more important than ever:

It helps teams stay connected and productive despite the physical distance between them.

Many organizations have already adopted this new approach to working as it offers numerous benefits.

Around 90% of organizations have a digital initiative, with 60% of US enterprises relying on online cloud platforms.

People weren’t allowed to go to the physical workplace when the pandemic started, so they have started working at home.

This has created a need since it allows employees to connect with other members remotely and still stay productive.

2. Reduce cost and optimize resources

What started as a method to survive the pandemic has now become a part of the “new normal”.

Besides the fact that employees love flexibility, businesses can reduce costs and optimize resources.

This is true while giving remote workers more flexibility and autonomy at their work and a more healthy work-life balance.

A statistic shows that organizations save $11,000/year, on average, for a half-time remote worker.

3. Accommodate the gig economy

The gig economy has risen even further during the pandemic, as companies hire more independent workers/freelancers.

Many of these companies don’t have much choice as it’s getting harder to hire new talent willing to work in an office.

For example, remote workers might look for a new opportunity if they’re forced to work full-time in an office.

The digital workplace is flexible enough to accommodate gig workers, and it may get bigger in the future.

Now, there are more reasons why it’s important to adapt to this new normal — but these three are clearly the main factors.

What can you do to adapt to the digital workplace?

The truth is — the digital workplace is here to stay even after the threat of the pandemic completely dissipates.

If you haven’t started adapting to this new change, here are a few steps you can take to embrace the digital workplace:

1. Use new technology and tools

Naturally, to be able to adapt to the future of the workplace, you would need digital technologies.

Since you will have to transition to a modern workplace, you also need to find and use digital workplace solutions for the following:

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Specialized work

You may also need to use various technologies — but it might be more efficient to find one provider.

For example, you can use Microsoft for most of your software needs:

• Teams for collaboration and communication
• SharePoint for a modern intranet and company interface
• Office apps for documents

⚠️ Note: Can Teams replace SharePoint? More here: Microsoft Teams: Intranet Alternative to SharePoint Online?

You may need to find some way to measure how much success the collaboration tools are giving you.

The good news here is that most digital technology platforms have built-in analytics tools for you to get insights.

You will need those insights to either improve the experience of your employees or find a better one that can serve you better.

⛔ Warning: Choose from the different project management platforms available online as you need one to manage your workplace.

2. Create a digital workplace culture

Having sophisticated technology and hopping into the latest technological trends isn’t an assurance of good adaptation.

Successful adaptation will require a strong corporate culture that supports and encourages:

• Remote working
• Collaboration
• Modern solutions

To create a digital workplace culture that supports your goals, start by:

• Ensuring clear communication. This means communicating clearly and concisely what the work is about, and how it fits into your company’s goals.
• Promote a sense of belonging. It’s important to help them feel connected and part of a larger community.
• Build trust. This involves clearly defining roles and responsibilities and being transparent about the company’s overall vision.
• Encourage feedback and collaboration. It’s important to encourage your remote employees to work together and share ideas freely.
• Support career development. In a modern workplace, employees should feel supported in their own growth and development as professionals.
• Get a sense of ownership. Make sure that every team member knows that their work is valued and appreciated.

If you want to successfully adapt to the future, then it’s important to create a culture that supports these goals.

They will be more motivated and engaged in their work, even when they’re not physically in an office setting.

3. Evolve to a hybrid working model

Restrictions have been relaxed lately, which led to companies requiring employees to attend the office in person.

This move has caused work-related issues for many remote employees as many prefer the work-from-home situation.

Here are some statistics that support this:

• It’s been found that 69% of millennials will readily give up work benefits for a more flexible working environment.
• 32% are more than ready to quit their work if the company wouldn’t allow them to work from home.
• 35% will look for a new job if the company forces them back to the physical office full-time.

This forced companies to create a more flexible working pattern — where employees have the option to still work from home.

This new working model (referred to as a “hybrid working model”) allows for both in-office and remote work.

For companies to succeed in this type of scenario, it’s important to:

• Clearly define the roles of hybrid workers so that everyone knows who does what.
• Set up clear expectations and ground rules for remote work.
• Foster a sense of accountability among hybrid workers.
• Prioritize transparency in communication and information sharing.

When you empower employees and encourage collaboration, your company will be able to stay competitive in today’s economy.

Best Practices to Apply When Implementing a Digital Workplace

Transitioning into a digital workspace isn’t easy — the changes to your business operations won’t happen overnight.

The process isn’t the same as if you’re just updating your tech stack. It’s a complete change in your organization.

Some practices that might aid you in this change are the following:

1. Create a digital transformation roadmap

Implementing a digital transformation and creating a digital workplace platform requires a lot of planning on your part.

This is why I recommend creating a roadmap that outlines every step of the process, including the following elements:

• Goals
• Timelines
• Launch phases

Share that roadmap with your stakeholders and business units, especially leaders, so they will understand what will happen.

Stakeholders would also appreciate it if you include a portion of the investment returns of the change you will implement.

2. Align the transformation to your business goals

Make sure the transformation aligns with your overarching business goals.

Doing this will earn you the following:

• Gain support and buy-in from executives and other key leaders in the company
• Ensures that all projects are aligned with the goals of your digital workplace platform
• Aligns the rest of your team and stakeholders to the transformation

Stakeholders can help lead successful transformations by encouraging their business units to adopt new technologies.

The more you include stakeholders and decision-makers in the process, the better your chances for success.

In addition, you also need to take into account that some of your workers might be resistant to change.

Implementing a communication plan that addresses this is important to the success of any digital workplace initiative.

3. Audit your current technology tools

Before you buy any digital tools, you need to audit first your current tech stack.

When doing the audit:

• Check what kind of technology your company uses the most
• Whether your employees prefer a provider
• If there is better technology you can use (that you can afford)

By taking these factors into account, you can determine what technologies to invest in and which ones to avoid.

You can then see the gaps in your current tech stack — use that to plan the best digital workplace platform.

For example, if your employees spend a lot of time on social media, it might be worth investing in Microsoft Teams or Slack.

It can also help with employee engagement while making collaboration easier and more seamless.

4. Review the needs of your remote workers

Your workers are the key to your business success — their satisfaction matters in the success of your digital transformation.

This is why you need to take the time to review their needs and expectations.

Here are some factors to consider:

• Are your workers using too many tools? Maybe you can narrow it down and use a platform that can cover all the needs.
• Are the tools they’re using aligned with their workflows? If not, you need to address it and make sure there are no disruptions.
• Are your employees satisfied with the tech stack you currently have (or the ones you would be implementing)?

The answers you receive will help you determine which tools to invest in, and how to make the transition as seamless as possible.

You will also be able to understand the challenges your employees face today and come up with solutions.

Getting Ahead in the Digital Workplace

Today, you can see how important it is to have a digital workplace platform that meets the needs of your company.

This not only helps improve communication and collaboration among employees — but also allows you to drive change.

Companies invest in digital transformations for many different reasons.

However, one thing remains the same — empowering employees with the right tools is key to success.

Anyway, got any questions about the future of the digital workplace? Let me know below.

For any business-related queries or concerns, contact me through the contact form. I always reply. 🙂