The workplace of the future is here; the future is now.
In 2020, Millennials (those born between 1980 and 1996) will comprise half of the workforce, and by 2025, 75% of the global workforce, while Gen Z (the generation that was born between 1996-2010) will begin entering the workforce in 2020 and beyond. This generation has been raised on the internet and social media, so it’s no wonder workplaces are experiencing a dramatic shift in the way they work, where they work, and how they work. The very concept of the “office” is changing, and businesses are adapting as they focus on attracting and retaining this hugely influential generation.
The workers of 2020 and beyond are entering the workplace with a different set of expectations from those of the Baby Boomers and Gen Y. Businesses are finding themselves navigating the growing expectations of a changing workforce; one that is tech savvy and demanding flexibility in the way they work.
Business transformation is no longer about the future; it is no longer something organisations plan for next year. It has arrived. It is here. It is now. Ignore it at your peril.
As businesses race headlong into their transformation journey, the use of video as a daily communications media is growing in popularity. With the new generation of tech-savvy workers, expect to see in-person meetings decline as video conferencing continues to become more popular.
With many of today’s businesses having a dispersed workforce based across the globe, the benefits of face-to-face communication and interaction with colleagues and customers are pushing the use of video conferencing out of the traditional meeting room setup into an on-the-move format.
This shift is predominantly being driven by the Millennials who have grown up with video as an integral part of their daily lives. Whether through WhatsApp or FaceTime, or via the world of gaming, face-to-face interaction no longer means sitting in a meeting room or across a desk from someone.
For this very reason, personal video functionality, such as that provided by Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams, is rapidly being integrated into everyday working practices, driving improved productivity and collaboration efficiencies.
With many businesses now seeing the benefit of video, the concept of going into a fixed place of work for a defined set of hours seems outdated.
The capabilities provided by Skype for Business and Teams are much more about improving the way people work and interact, rather than about the technology. Face-to-face meetings no longer require you to travel to another location, set up a meeting room or worry about travel costs. They can happen anywhere, at any time, on any device; another positive step towards a modern way of working for Millennials who have grown accustomed to on-the-move and ‘always on’ communications.
77% of Millennials say a flexible work schedule enables them to be more productive
79% of Millennials say flexible working is very important to them
23% of Millennials want an even mix of office / home working
Today’s world is constant, immediate and responsive. Having the ability to collaborate face-to-face on a document with colleagues, despite being in different locations and time zones, is becoming the expectation. Real-time interactions, quick decision-making and on-the-move technology capabilities are all drivers of the rapidly transforming workplace.
Businesses can no longer afford to ignore video and collaboration technology as an everyday medium for everybody. Stop thinking about your video requirements as the domain of the executives or a boardroom necessity that is often under-utilised. With the advent and availability of cloud technologies, communication and collaboration can happen anywhere, anytime, with anybody.
As a cloud-based solution which enables mobile working and the flexibility that the changing workplace demands, Office 365 is ideal for those organisations who want to make the future of work a reality in their business today.
Microsoft's flagship productivity suite includes the apps you know and already use, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype for Business and Teams, in online versions that allow them to be securely accessed from anywhere and on any device.
To find out whether O365 is the right solution for your business, and to explore how it might be rolled out, try our online tool. By providing us with a few details about your business drivers, your industry and number of users, and we'll create a bespoke report detailing how Office 365 can work for you and an estimated cost.