Are parts of your job repetitive, mundane or dare I say it, boring? Are you suffering from boreout? Yes, it’s a thing. Boreout is a syndrome caused by mental under-stimulation in the workplace due to inadequately challenging tasks.
If you do suffer from boreout then you need not worry, because in time it’s likely that some parts of these jobs will be automated.
Any routine, repetitive task can be automated. Automation saves people time so that they have more time to spend with their customers, provide a better service, even sell more. If technology can take care of mundane, low-skill tasks, then people have the time to focus their attention on more challenging projects and other exciting activities. Menial tasks don’t spark joy. Tasks that require a person to stretch their intellectual capacity do. When you move out of your comfort zone, take on a challenging task and learn new things, then dopamine is released by your brain as a reward. Automation also reduces costs, so there’s more money available to come up with exciting new products and services. Creating and designing new products and services is a stimulating activity and will keep you engaged for longer.
Due to this, studies are showing that increased use of tech is increasing employee satisfaction and that people are starting to believe that AI is set to deliver more interesting jobs rather than create a threat of redundancy.
Recent research findings on the role of tech on employee engagement published in the Harvard Business Review show that 82% of employees believe that the performance of tech provided to them has a significant impact on their happiness at work. 77% of good employees may leave a job if they do not get access to the tech and tools that they need to do their jobs well. While 73% of young employees have much higher expectations for easy-to-use tech than older employees do.
What does this mean for the companies who invest in automation?
Businesses need to invest in their employees as much they invest in automation. The key here is to get humans and machines to work side by side. If employers can get this right it just might be the key to competitive advantage. Most importantly employers need to try create a culture where their employees have a sense of purpose, use their talents, feel autonomous and empowered to make decisions. Leaders need to create an environment where employees can speak their minds, offer their input and request the tools that they need to do things better. These things create happier employees and better engagement, ultimately creating the best environment for success. It’s essential that leaders convince their people of the benefits of automation and take them along on the journey. That way they are more likely to see technology as an enabler and not as a detractor.
In a post pandemic world, technology is the only way forward. Without it we would not be able to function virtually. Not being able to be in the same building anymore means that tech needs to provide a seamless, uninterrupted experience for remote workers. And with remote work comes a loss of connection, so employees want more access to their leaders and other colleagues. Forward thinking companies have already adapted to this way of work to support a distributed team, track and manage projects and provide and encourage team camaraderie through ongoing virtual activities.
Companies that embrace tech and provide stimulating and engaging work environments for their people will futureproof their businesses.
Contact us now to find out how we can help you get there.
Topics in this article: Featured Productivity Automation Barriers to tech businessautomation Work from home
