“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”
While this quote was attributed to Charles Darwin, and even featured on the stone floor of the California Academy of Sciences headquarters with his name under it, they are, in fact, the words of Leon C. Megginson, Professor of Management and Marketing at Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge.
He wrote it back in 1963. And it still holds true.
Enabling adaptability
We’re now over two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, and work (and in many instances life) as we know it has changed dramatically. Whether it’s for good or not has yet to be seen. Regardless, this article by the BBC on the future of work 2022 predicts that ‘pre-pandemic work structures are likely to become a relic’.
The upshot is that employees can’t count on working from just one place any time soon, and ‘uncertainty’ is the new catch cry for 2022. Being adaptable has never been more important.
However, it takes more than just a willingness to change and flex. It requires the considered adoption and reassurance of innovative technology which is designed to help us survive and even thrive in times of chaos.
Cloud is now essential, not optional
As employers and employees alike negotiate new hybrid work models, it means that always-on, and being easily accessible is a way of life rather than a necessity. However, secure applications are no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ but a business essential.
Over the last two years, cloud technology has become the undisputed champion of productivity for dispersed workforces. It’s enabled employees to stay gainfully employed, and businesses to keep their virtual doors open, as well as uncover and embrace new markets and opportunities, and respond to change rapidly.
And if businesses collapse, then, of course, jobs disappear.
“51% of UK business leaders say their shift to a cloud computing-based business model has saved their company from collapse during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The comfort of always-on, always-available
So, why has cloud ERP been such a lifesaver for employees and employers alike?
As workers face a move from office to home, and often back again, a seamless technology experience is critical to productivity.
An example of the impact of empowering employees with better technology was demonstrated by Panova, an international manufacturer. They realised an astounding 400% increase in productivity after moving to a cloud ERP. Their new application allowed staff from around the world to collaborate and access information easily, and the business improved efficiency and increased production output.
Cloud is simply easier
Your employees value rapid and simple access to the application they need to do their job and meet deadlines. And they love the intuitive nature of web-style applications, and the elimination of tedious manual processes. What they don’t appreciate is worrying that their device doesn’t have an up-to-date version of the software installed and could crash at any time.
And if a device is ‘mislaid’ (and the stats for lost and stolen devices are truly staggering), there’s no harm done — unless the user has breached organisational best practice and saved passwords or documents to the hard drive. There’s just an insurance claim. And all that’s needed for an employee to keep working productively is another internet-enabled device and a connection.
The cost of not going cloud
With even more skills shortages looming, employers need to focus on retention.
In their 7th Annual State of Work report, work management company Workfront revealed that despite economic uncertainty and a fiercely competitive job market, 49% of the US workforce would leave their job due to frustrations with technology.
So, while maintaining and even enhancing productivity and profitability, and enabling a remote or hybrid workforce is essential, so are the needs of today’s employees.
Employees are ready to adapt. And they are clearly prepared to walk to the nearest cloud-enabled competitor if not happy with your technology.
