There is no denying that last year’s pandemics and events altered how we work today. It is safe to say that most organizations do not plan to return to their pre-Covid19 business strategies anytime soon. Many of the changes we saw last year will continue to have a lasting impact as we move forward. Six major workforce transformation trends will shape the way we work in 2023.
Accelerated Rates of Digital Transformation Continue
One trend from 2022 that will continue this year is the acceleration of digital transformation. Last year, it was essential for organizations to adopt new technologies to adapt to the turbulent business environment changes. Digital transformation was needed for survival. The successful adoption of new software and the implementation of automation has streamlined complex processes.
Organizations that made these changes have seen significant improvements. In 2023, businesses will implement transformation initiatives to optimize the workplace further. Attitudes towards digital transformation have shifted in a more positive direction.
High-tech workforce transformation solutions are growing in popularity in nearly every industry. Many companies are now using robots to clean storefronts. HR professionals are learning analytics to improve employee experiences and help their organizations to develop stronger business strategies. Many business leaders have also empowered their frontline employees with mobile enablement.
Revamping the Digital Workplace
Last year’s events caused an enormous shift in how we work. Remote teams grew exponentially overnight. Employees at every level had to learn new skills to adapt. As we move forward and business leaders develop their post-pandemic plans, we do not expect to see the remote workplace disappear.
We expect to see more flexible work schedules emerge. Many organizations plan to create hybrid environments where employees work in the office a few days a week and work remotely the rest of the time. Human resources departments have found that while employees enjoy the flexibility of remote work, they still desire the social aspect of working in an office.
This year, a huge part of human capital transformation will be the development of these hybrid work environments. HR professionals will use employee data to determine measures to improve collaboration, communication, and connectivity moving forward.
Closing the Digital Skills Gap
The fast-paced adoption of technology has provided many benefits, but these business transformations have created a skills gap that can’t be ignored. Many jobs today look completely different than they did just a year ago.
These changes have created a huge need for employee re-skilling. Employees must adapt by learning new skills and frequently changing jobs to keep growing. Digital transformation is only effective if there is a successful adoption of the tech that has been implemented. Simply put, it will only work if your employees can effectively use it.
This is why we likely see large investments in employee learning and development programs moving forward. Organizations will need robust, comprehensive training plans for future success. Companies should prioritize candidates’ skills over their past job titles when hiring. Valuable skills like data analysis can be applied across different roles. In 2023, more companies are expected to use short courses or certificates for hiring and invest in teaching their employees new skills.
The Emergence of Super Teams
The idea of teams is not a new one. Teams can increase innovation through collaboration and communication. They can increase both morale and productivity. During the pandemic, teams played a critical role in helping businesses adapt quickly.
AI is commonly considered a tool that can take over manual processes and labor for people but can be used for more. The concept of super teams is the idea that teams can integrate AI to augment performance. Organizations are starting to look at different ways AI can be used to enhance a team’s abilities.
AI can help teams achieve more quickly and often more cost-effectively. We are beginning to see leading organizations create super teams using AI for predictive modeling, collaboration across long distances in real-time, and detecting patterns more quickly.
Prioritizing Flexibility
Working from home is no longer just because of the pandemic, but many companies will keep trying different ways of remote and hybrid work in 2023. A recent survey by Omdia found that 48% of employees will continue to work remotely or in a mix of remote and office work. However, there are still questions about what the future of work will look like.
As employers and employees try different approaches to remote and hybrid work, companies must listen to their employees’ feedback and concerns to avoid losing valuable staff. Offering flexible work policies can also be a great way for organizations to attract new talent, as there is high demand for remote positions.
Adaptable Workspaces
Industry standards may seem timeless, but the modern workplace is a recent invention. White-collar office work gained prominence in the past 150 years. Office design has transformed from private offices to open floor plans, and now, with the rise of hybrid and remote work, it will evolve again.
Companies will minimize office space in the next few years, creating flexible and multi-functional work environments. Hot-desking, where employees choose open workspaces daily, will become more common. Furniture will be easily movable, and technology like projectors, screens, and VR may be integrated. Smaller companies may turn to coworking, renting office space periodically instead of maintaining empty buildings.
Final Note
The future of work will not just be about adopting new technology. There will be a significant focus on the employee experience. The six major workforce transformation trends that will shape the future of work in 2023 are the accelerated rates of digital transformation, the revamping of the digital workplace, the closing of the digital skills gap through employee re-skilling, the emergence of super teams leveraging AI, and the prioritization of flexibility in remote and hybrid work models.
Additionally, adaptable workspaces will become the norm, with companies minimizing office space and creating flexible and multi-functional environments to accommodate the evolving needs of the workforce. These trends reflect the dynamic nature of the modern workplace and the ongoing efforts to optimize productivity, collaboration, and employee satisfaction. Learn more about the future of work and watch the webinar replay, L&D Trends 2023: How to Design Winning Learning Programs for a Hybrid Workforce.
