We live in a digital world and no business can survive without fully embracing technology. That’s why in this article we’ll provide a step-by-step guide for businesses looking to build a more tech-savvy workplace.
Step 1: Conduct a skill audit
First, you’ll need to determine how tech-savvy your workplace is before making any real changes. Think of this like foundation work – if you want to build a tech-savvy workplace, you need to know where you currently stand.
Identify what digital knowledge and skills employees already have. You can begin by running digital knowledge assessments. These assessments evaluate the current level of technological skill in your workplace – what education or training have employees undergone? Digital knowledge assessments can also determine what skills your employees want or feel like they should have.
Ask questions to determine what areas employees struggle with, where there are skill gaps, where they want to improve, their attitudes towards new technologies, and more.
By assessing everyone’s current level of competency, you can make more informed decisions when building a tech-savvy workplace. You should also estimate your own level of skills and understanding. There may be areas of knowledge that are new or unknown to you.
Digital knowledge assessments are not hard to conduct and should not be intimidating for employees. These assessments can be conducted as face-to-face interviews, online quizzes, or simple questionnaires.
Step 2: Hire new employees
Whether you’re building a business from the ground up or looking to transform your existing one, hiring new employees is a crucial step in being tech-savvy. You’ll want to make sure any new people you hire already have knowledge of digital technologies and the requisite skills to work in the digital sphere.
If you already have a fleshed out marketing department with the requisite Graduate Certificate in Business online and similar qualifications, you’ll certainly need an IT department who understand the latest technologies – how to implement them, how to get the most out of them, and the cybersecurity practices needed to safeguard the business. If any department is lacking, bringing in an experienced professional who can guide others is a great way to bring other employees up to speed.
Like the previous step, you should ask prospective new employees questions that determine their level of tech competency, digital understanding, and experience with relevant programs, systems, or electronics.
Step 3: Provide training
When you’re running a business, you want employees to continuously learn, become more adept, and grow professionally because not only does it benefit them, but it benefits your business.
The type of training you provide will depend on the results of the digital knowledge assessments and where your industry currently sits. You should consider the existing level of skill among employees and what technologies will be most beneficial (or necessary) to your workplace.
There are many different methods for providing technology training to employees. You could run a seminar focused on building general digital skills and knowledge, such as troubleshooting strategies, the basics of using a certain program, a demonstration of a new piece of technology, etc.
The most common process is to conduct a short presentation with a PowerPoint, which allows employees to view what you’re trying to show them and lets them ask any questions they might have.
Other training methods include project-based training, mentoring programs, external conferences, workshops, roleplay scenarios, and many more.
Workplace training doesn’t need to be overly complicated or boring, and it shouldn’t be intimidating. Focus on individual areas of knowledge or skills you want to improve, and find an approach to teach people. Focus on one area or skill at a time, and improve slowly.
Step 4. Give people time to adjust
Give people enough time to practise and improve new skills. Some employees might struggle at first, but you have to be patient and understanding. During this process you must make clear to your employees the benefits of having a tech-savvy workplace and why you’re making these changes.
In the early stages of building a tech-savvy workplace you can promote a peer-based learning environment, where instead of immediately coming to you, or some kind of manager, employees try to find help among fellow employees. This will encourage collaboration and teamwork, allowing employees to ask each other questions and share skills with each other.
Depending on the technology or software you’re introducing to your workplace, consider allocating some time to allow employees to explore, learn, and play around with the technologies on their own. Understanding and using technology comes easier to some people than to others, that’s why patience is key.
Step 5. Invest in new (or better) technology
If you want to build a tech-savvy workplace, you need to make sure your workplace has adequate technology and that employees can properly access the technology and resources needed.
This can mean making sure the computers are up-to-date and fully functioning, making sure your workplace Wi-Fi is viable, and that there are printers, photocopiers, or headsets available. Also, ensure that gadgets, such as keyboards, mouses, and monitors all work properly. In a tech-savvy environment, you also want to take into account external factors such as desks, suitable office chairs, lighting, and other desk essentials.
You might find you need to invest in more technology. Or that you will need to upgrade the technology you currently have.
