The surge in digital in South African businesses has had massive implications on how employees work. Digital workspaces are no longer a luxury but a necessity for survival and growth. 

Do businesses care about a digital workspace strategy?

Business leaders in Asia (considered to be progressive digital regions) are urgently embracing cutting-edge technologies, with 80% of them believing they need to digitally transform to enable future growth. Despite this, only 29% said they have a comprehensive digital strategy in place.

In South Africa, businesses are taking digitisation seriously. Research shows large corporations will invest up to R6 billion over the next four years. SA is leading the way on the continent. Reports show that our diverse economy and high-quality mobile broadband infrastructure has positioned the country as the continent’s leader in digitisation of key sectors.

That said, many businesses underestimate the speed of digitisation and the business culture changes required to succeed.  Without a proper digital strategy, technology investments can increase the complexity of it all. 

What is a digital strategy?

A modern digital workplace strategy comprises an action plan regarding communications, people, process, ideas, information, websites, tools, systems, metadata and more. At its core, it is a strategy aimed at boosting employee engagement and agility with the ultimate goal of improving business performance. A smart digital strategy should enable teams to work and collaborate on all devices, from any workspace and to remain in synch in real time.

How do you create a digital workplace strategy?

Step 1: Partner with solutions experts

Just like any other strategy, it all starts with an audit and a set of recommendations. Get a workspace assessment by an integrated business solutions provider. Your equipment, software, workplace and processes will be audited. Once complete, recommendations and solutions will be presented to improve your operational efficiency and minimise wastage and costs. These solutions can be worked into your digital strategy as an effective starting point.

Step 2: Embrace change

The adoption of technologies is ubiquitous and accelerated. It is impacted by many internal and external factors such as technology, budgets, business strategy, politics, location, leadership, legal and tax barriers. The good news? Most businesses are facing similar challenges.

Step 3: A digitally curious workforce

Technology is infused in all moving parts of a business. Leaders should empower their employees to use new technologies to be digitally ahead of the curve. Establish a culture that takes calculated risks and encourage employee buy-in, creativity and innovation.

Step 4: Let’s get physical

A digital workplace strategy will move you towards the future workspace. There is a worldwide shift to evolving from cubicles and silos, to fluid anytime-anywhere workspaces and cloud technology. Flexibility and the courage to adapt defunct processes is key.

Moving to fully digitised systems can make any business owner anxious. As a first step, digital document management solutions can future-proof your business. Ensure you work with the right consultant to make recommendations to ensure the least internal disruption and the most positive disruption in your sector.