When Technology Hinders Workplace Efficiency

Isn’t it fascinating that so many successful individuals’ habits overlap?

Numerous CEOs, world-class executives, and role models utilize the same beneficial strategies, such as rising early, being organized, and maintaining a positive outlook.

Regardless of position or field, some habits improve productivity, and others decrease it. Every year, the world seems to get more productive as technology develops. When new technology enters the workplace, we anticipate a rapid boost in efficiency and problem-solving.

However, technology tools can occasionally interfere with other productive routines we’ve formed. We don’t like to believe that our technologies and sophisticated software solutions hold us back, yet occasionally they do. We are becoming increasingly aware of this as technology becomes a vital part of every corporate procedure.

Here are a few instances where technology can hamper rather than boost productivity.

When Equipment Fails to Get the Task Done

Sometimes, having a particular technology for a particular task is preferable to not having it. While this is true, a large number of businesses need more technology.

According to a Gallup survey, only one-third of American workers are “very satisfied” with their access to the equipment and supplies they need to perform their jobs effectively. Similarly, 74% of respondents claim they need the most up-to-date technology to work successfully and efficiently.

When a firm adopts technology to increase productivity, it must also acknowledge its commitment to the necessary upgrades, adjustments, and training. Unfortunately, many businesses need to remember to update their equipment, resulting in decreased output.

Consider the following scenario: an employee employs relatively new technology to complete daily duties but spends significant time mixing manual and software processes. In this instance, the technology is not contributing to productivity, and the employee may even claim that the obsolete tool is making their job harder.

If you want your employees to come in after a long day for reasons other than the paycheck, you must provide them with the tools they need to be effective. This necessitates updating technology as necessary and continuously seeking new ways to increase productivity.

When Technological Barriers Prevent Efficient Communication

We had access to millions of various communication tools. Some of them enable global collaboration regardless of location or time zone. However, modern communication capabilities occasionally make communication more challenging than it was 20 years ago.

Today, an estimated 205.6 billion emails are sent globally (according to Blue Source).

Only one-third of these emails get opened, and around one-quarter of employees consider email a productivity killer. Nearly all employees (85%) use several devices to interact at work, and 28% cite poor communication as the primary reason they cannot complete a project on time.

Are GSuite, email, texting, phoning, Twitter, and any other internal communication tools in your organization making your team’s work more difficult as opposed to simpler?

We need a variety of communication tools to accomplish our goals. Nonetheless, all businesses need to examine their communication strategies to identify which are redundant and which are essential to their processes. The more you simplify your communication system, the greater your ability to boost productivity and ensure that vital communications are remembered.

Read also: How Can You Effectively Prioritize Your Workload?

For instance, your organization can profit from an internal system that centralizes most staff communications. Tools such as Trello, Slack, and Communifire can facilitate the centralization of workflows and communications. Now may be the time to find a task management system with an effective communication component if you still need to do so.

Communication tools can be simple if they are well-defined and utilized. So that internal messages are preserved between email, text, and instant messaging, you might encourage your coworkers to shift all of their talks to a single platform, such as Skype.

There is also the issue of technology as a workplace distraction. The typical American checks their phone every 12 minutes and spends significant time on social media. What impact do technology distractions have on your workplace? How do you prevent their impact on your productivity?

When Software Fails to Hold Individuals Accountable

It is beneficial to delegate power and utilizes technology to complete duties on time. Unfortunately, data indicates that over 25 percent of employees are still unwilling to accept responsibility in the workplace, and many businesses are attempting to diminish employee accountability in general. Either we lack responsibility toward each other, or we lack responsibility toward ourselves.

It is all too simple to blame technology for late or failed delivery today. We frequently hear ourselves lamenting the shortcomings of digital tools and how they impede us from attaining our full potential and completing our work. It is not our fault – nobody is to blame! This is merely a technical error.

I did not receive this email.

“The page refuses to load!”

Our department of organization has been experiencing difficulties all day.

I have yet to learn how to utilize this tool. Stop blaming your technology and promote accountability in every employee, from the youngest to the oldest.

Bottom Line

At its essence, technology is a tool for enhancing productivity. On the other hand, it will not result in the loss of our jobs. Installing a new tool or piece of software, no of how innovative or interesting it appears, will not boost your productivity reports.

Accountability, upgrading, training, and efficient communication in the workplace still rely on individuals. If we expect technology to solve all our issues, many of us may be in for an unpleasant awakening when tasks and deadlines still need to be accomplished.