5 Ways AI and automation can help reshape remote working for the better

Remote work wasn’t always as well-received as it is in the present day and age. Much of it has to do with companies responding to the pandemic, but organizations were slowly weaving it into their policies. Nonetheless, this boom was necessary to keep industries alive and global workforces are now a staple. Around 16% of the companies across the globe are completely remote. Lower overheads and better efficiency are two factors driving this change, in addition to the fact that 74% of the employees reported that they were less likely to leave a company if it offered remote working solutions. 

Naturally, the demand for remote working rose and companies obliged, finding ways to accommodate and optimize for it. This is where AI and automation step in. In a bid to optimize digital workspace, AI programs were the go-to as they offered efficient solutions that complemented the remote work model. These tools help assess the routine tasks performed, eliminate redundancies, and are effective at tracking productivity.

But, these are just a few basic applications of AI in the remote workspace. For greater insight into the impact of its role and its capabilities in remote work culture, read on. 

Provides opportunities to train and upskill employees efficiently

AI programs and tools can not only assess productivity but also determine an employee’s strengths and weaknesses. From there, personalized training programs can be offered to promote targeted upskilling. This helps employees expand their skill set and improve their quality of work. This type of training can also prepare employees for new roles. Organizations that invest in training directly increase their intellectual capital, of which more is always better. 

Improved conversations and discussions

Historically, communication has relied on non-verbal cues such as body language and expression. As such, the meaning and depth of an interaction are often lost in translation when communicating online or digitally. Fortunately, AI tools were able to deliver a solution in this regard. By analyzing text, programs can now assist employees in decoding communication, offering clarity on the tone of the conversation. This helps reduce miscommunication amongst employees and with their employers. Some AI tools can also help gauge an employees’ morale and engagement with the help of language and sentiment analysis. 

Automated and efficient job search and applicant selection

AI already plays a vital role in the hiring process and a majority of companies use an automated ATS (Applicant tracking system). ATS helps recruiters hire effectively and efficiently from a large pool of candidates. It is a clear-cut time-saver and recruiters have reported that it helped them source, screen, and nurture the candidates better. Apart from this, AI-based ATS can eliminate human bias and reinvent the interview process with an automated interview.

Automation of administrative work for improved productivity

Remote working does not eliminate the need for administrative work. Mundane tasks such as scheduling meetings, calls, and emails may hamper an employees’ ability to brainstorm and focus on the core activities. AI solutions can deal with this issue, absorbing these responsibilities with ease. These programs can schedule meetings, message participants, and coordinate with the members of the team. By unloading mundane work, employees have more time to dedicate to core tasks. 

Improved cybersecurity and troubleshooting

Security infrastructure can be a problem in remote work setups. As such, remote employees are often more vulnerable to cyberattacks. To protect remote workspaces, AI can be beneficial as it can analyze large sets of data and recognize, as well as deal with, malicious or potentially harmful data or behavior. Remote work can also be a roadblock for immediate IT support. Employees that have to troubleshoot problems manually are less likely to be productive and may even cause more problems. But, with the right AI tools, this doesn’t have to be the case. Automated bots can troubleshoot problems and provide timely, guided assistance. 

As remote and hybrid work models gain popularity, it is important to understand the use of AI and automation in a productive workplace. This is particularly pertinent to hiring and establishing global teams. AI-enabled hiring strategies are the future and with Talent500, you can enjoy this benefit today!

Our specialized tools make hiring simpler and more efficient, sourcing the right fit from diverse talent pools and IT communities. All professionals on the talent network are pre-vetted and we’re confident in our ability to serve your needs. Schedule a consultation today and build global teams that perform. 

Helping your workforce upskill amid the automation revolution

As we continue to innovate and find new ways to leverage technology, displacement of some kind is inevitable. On the subject of workplace automation, which has been trending for a few years now, the opinions of the masses and experts are divided. Some believe that the fourth industrial revolution will take away jobs, and it will, but there is data to suggest that not everything is as bleak as it might seem. Reports like the Future of Jobs published by the World Economic Forum state that while around 75 million jobs will be displaced, around 133 million new jobs will emerge as well. 

So, what does this mean for the future displaced workforce? Simply put, it reiterates the need for reskilling or upskilling to best align with the changing times. Corporations and enterprises must take the lead here as machines will soon take over menial and administrative tasks. In 2018, machines did 29% of the work, and this number is slated to rise to 52% by 2025. 

A McKinsey report published in 2021 corroborates this and goes on to state that 1 in 16 employees will need to find a new job by 2030. This is where a workforce proficient at non-routine analytical tasks, technical familiarity, and critical thinking will need to take the reins. 

Preparing now seems to be the best way to get ahead of the revolution brought on by accelerated technology adoption. While 31% of organizations are worried about displacement within their workforce, and rightly so, be a part of the remainder that has done the needful to brave it while minimizing losses. To know how to do just that and build a workforce for the future, consider the following strategies.  

Assess and conquer

Before putting in any money or effort into initiatives, it is important to form a baseline. Companies should take the time to figure out the digital literacy levels across all employees. These skills vary with employees and not all responsibilities require as much digital literacy as others. This is where assessment comes in handy, and it helps companies determine what they are willing to accept as a bare minimum going forward. 

Once the early assessment stages are clear, conquering the shortcomings can begin. The road to creating a workforce that can align with the new division of labor is one built through a systematic approach. Without a baseline, it is possible that significant resources may go to waste. During the assessment stages, companies must also determine whether the goal is to upskill or reskill. These vary greatly from each other and are in no way synonymous as many may believe. 

In order to reposition effectively, companies can either: 

  • Upskill employees to be better at their existing jobs by advancing their practical knowledge to accommodate newer technologies or practices. 
  • Reskill employees to develop newer, more relevant skills that will help them take on a new position within the organization. 

Develop or borrow from an efficient digital training framework

To build a truly resilient workforce equipped to brave the storms brought on by the fourth industrial revolution, a proper training framework must be in place. These should categorize skills that are essential for work and those that are simply good to have. Based on existing models already in use across industries, here are a few skills that should be assessed and primed for development through such frameworks. 

  • Basic digital tools
  • Occupation-specific tools
  • Data ethics
  • Problem-solving using technology
  • Data safety and security
  • Digital devices and their interactions
  • Data manipulation 
  • Data analytics

A combination of these categories should form the roadmap as they target core areas for holistic development, be it reskilling or upskilling. 

Invest in training and continuous learning across the board

Companies looking to uplift their workforce through training and learning must utilize all avenues available for it. Interactive experiences are now not only possible but so much more engaging than training programs of the past. Today, companies have options such as: 

  • Online training courses
  • Certificate courses
  • Mobile learning
  • Personalized learning solutions

Each has its own merits and these can serve as incentives to better integrate learning and self-growth into the company culture. Remember, for any company, the goal should be to autotomize the learning experience, without making it a mandate that gets done because it has to. Digital experiences, especially from leading L&D companies, add value to both employee and company. As such, investing in the best is likely to deliver desired results that could very well lead to the success of the program. 

Institute a mentorship program

The mentor-mentee relationship is one that has immense potential. Here, companies can either have an in-house program that drives growth and culture or opt to outsource for their mentorship needs. In either way, employees get hands-on training and learn to be practical. Mentors are a trove of knowledge and for many new to the digital landscape, a mentor’s experience could be the difference between a healthy transition and one brought on through need alone. 

Digitize the experience 

Much like other experiences employees enjoy today, where convenience is a given, training for industry 4.0 should offer no less. Building familiarity is much easier this way, and showcases the true potential of modern technology. What’s more, digitized learning can make people-led solutions a lot more feasible. Where online courses and seminars lack, personalized portals and digital labs excel – offering customizability and potential for hands-on innovation.

Developing a digital learning lab also benefits the company as it can be tuned to gather insights. By understanding how employees learn, what modes work best, and which formats are the go-to, enterprises can spend their training dollars in a more effective and meaningful way. 

Whether the objective is to reskill or upskill, remember that either of the options is only a means to best utilize the company’s resources. It is not a substitute for hiring but can make the undertaking a lot more cost-effective. For many companies, hiring will continue to be a business-critical process. Technology companies could feature among these as they stand to benefit from a technically-proficient workforce. With remote working slowly becoming the standard, finding talent that suits the budget and can align with company objectives is easy, especially if you partner with Talent500

With access to over 200,000 pre-vetted professionals, harnessing the power of global teams is within reach. Our AI-powered tools promise a smooth hiring experience, for both ends, and can serve as an efficient solution for scaling goals. Schedule a consultation today and be part of the global remote revolution that’s leveraging talent in the best way possible.  

Reskilling and upskilling: A strategic response to continuously changing skill demands

Rapid digitization is forcing companies to take a long, hard look at the skills of their employees and invest heavily in reskilling them to maintain their position in the market. In its recent ‘Talent Trends’ report, PwC clearly outlined that “Developing a workforce with the digital and transferable skills you need — and the ability to adapt quickly in a world of constant change —does not happen organically or by accident.”

As an employer, the onus is on you to make employees partner in the upskilling and reskilling process, and get the most out of the investment you make in hiring the right talent. McKinsey has a warning for businesses, as they believe that 14% of the workforce worldwide will be forced to change jobs with the rise of artificial intelligence, automation, and other technological advancements in the coming years. The economies are already changing in response to digital innovation and the workforce has to adapt quickly in response. To remain a winner against such market forces, you have to invest in employee skill expansion.

Job requirements are changing at a faster pace

This rapid pace of change in job descriptions points towards the growing demand for upskilling. The importance of reskilling is highlighted in a new report on workforce upskilling by the World Economic Forum. The survey states that one in four adults reported a need for reskilling or upskilling to match the skills they need for their current job. Many legacy businesses fail to understand the fact that skill requirements are transforming at an unprecedented rate.

A Gartner report evaluating the skill requirement change pace showed that 33% of the skills listed in a typical job description in 2017 are no longer a requirement in 2021.

That’s a depletion of one-third of the skills within four years!

And, it’s not just for any specific position or role.

The same Gartner report highlighted that today, employers ask for 10% more skills than in previous years. Due to higher expectations and now-redundant skills, employers are looking for candidates with vastly different skill sets. This makes reskilling workforces more valuable.

The talent and skills gap is growing wider by the day

Another consequence of Covid was that it forced a large workforce to learn skills on the fly. Companies met this challenge with a varying degree of success, highlighting the need for an effective and efficient reskilling program at the workplace. As the adoption of technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence continues to grow, equipping your workforce with the required skills to take up new responsibilities is a decision favorable to business growth. This is also mandatory to maintain the core competencies of a business.

Covid has accelerated the shift towards a global workforce. Most companies are shifting entirely or parts of their business online that require their employees to have different skill sets. According to McKinsey, 87% of CEOs report noticing skill gaps in their employees when the services are moved online. If this mismatch between skills and requirements is too large, companies have to think about reskilling the workers to better meet the requirements of the roles.

The good news is that many companies are already making it their top priority. As per an L&D study, 59% of the professionals’ rate upskilling and reskilling employees as the priority of their business goal for the coming year. As building new skills in employees is much more efficient than hiring a new workforce, it also positively impacts the employee-employer relationship.

Reskilling the workforce is a collaborative effort

Today, employees wield more power as the labor market has tightened laws. As an employer, it is your responsibility to make them feel that they have major control over their professional development. It doesn’t mean that you make them entirely responsible for reskilling efforts, but rather involve them in the upskilling and reskilling process so they do not feel like just a cog in a machine.

Start by explaining the tangible advantages of reskilling training to the employees. Let them know how their role requirements continue to change, and how reskilling is in their best interest. Also emphasize that employees will have a say in how their training will progress.

Reskilling can also boost employee retention as shown by an IBM research. According to the study, employees are 42% more likely to remain at the same company if they receive training that helped them perform their role at a higher level.

Make upskilling and reskilling your employees a priority for 2022 and beyond. It will play a pivotal role in ensuring your business growth and maintaining competency.

Talent500 can help bridge the skill gap and hire pre-vetted and location-independent professionals. To know more, request a consultation online.