Data is becoming increasingly important in the world of work. Companies are using it to measure employee engagement and productivity and to determine the best way to structure their organizations. The right technology and platforms can boost engagement and give you good data. But companies need to be careful, it’s important to remember that people are more than just numbers. The future of work will depend on finding the right balance between data and human connection.
J.T O’Donnell, CEO of Work It Daily, an HR industry expert spoke at a recent Jugo event and said companies around the globe are restructuring and many are looking at a hybrid model instead of returning to in-person or staying fully remote. In today’s data-driven world, it’s no surprise that companies are using numbers to measure everything. They can track employee performance, measure engagement levels, and implement training and development that can assessed to determine the best way to evolve for business resilience and value.
“We’re seeing a massive restructuring right now. We knew it was going to happen because companies have had to figure out: what are you doing in your job, how you’re saving, or how are you making the company enough money to justify the cost of you. We’ve gotten very focused on that measurability”
J.T. O’Donnell, CEO of Work It Daily
The use of data has led to a new level of transparency in the workplace. Companies are now able to see which employees are performing well and which ones are struggling. This increased transparency can be a good thing, as it allows companies to give credit where it is due and provide additional support where necessary. If you’re trying to boost employee productivity, data can help you figure out what initiatives are actually making a difference. Maybe your Employee of the Month program isn’t having the intended effect, or maybe employees are more engaged when they have more flexible work hours. By tracking engagement levels over time, you can start to see patterns emerge and make changes accordingly.
One of the dangers of over-reliance on “tracking data” like mouse and keyboard clicks is that it doesn’t measure the whole picture it doesn’t give you metrics on engagement, and employee experience. Companies relying on bad metrics can end up with a disconnect between their employees and the workplace. However, good data can play an important role in helping you understand how your people are interacting with the workplace. When companies only focus on tracking data—the superficial data– they risk losing sight of the human element and employee value.
“On the employee side…if they aren’t giving you ways to measure your productivity, you need to figure that out for yourself. One of them would be far more engagement when you’re in meetings in order to show your presence. We have to dial it in on both sides. We’ve got to measure better and use technology in order to capture that, but we’ve also got to make sure that those individual employees who I’m coaching all the time are really using it or they’re at risk of not being seen as relevant to the organization”
J.T. O’Donnell, CEO of Work It Daily
Technology is here to help us succeed — providing platforms for collaboration and communication that connect us with our co-workers in meaningful ways. The future of work is about using data to enhance human connection, not replace it. For example, tools like Jugo can help us communicate more effectively with our team by making it feel like you are in a room together— recreating the magic of human connection. After all, without data, how could you know if what you’re doing is working or not?
“One of the challenges has been to get that feeling like I’m in a room again, and I can collaborate and spark that energy and that engagement. You’re going to have to use technology tools like Jugo. In order to make that happen in your company. If you’re going to stay fully remote, or even hybrid, you’re going to need to give people the opportunity to feel like they are in a room as opposed to just on a camera.”
J.T. O’Donnell, CEO of Work It Daily
Data is more important than ever for both companies and employees. In order to make data-driven decisions, you need technology that measures the right data points. As the world increasingly moves online, it’s more important than ever to have technology that measures the right data when it comes to employee engagement, collaboration, and productivity
Do you want to step out of the virtual meeting boxes and make your meetings feel in-person? Boost engagement, and productivity, and feel like a team again. Demo Jugo today.
