When you think of a positive company culture, it’s unlikely that business technologies are the first things that spring to mind. However, the reality is that the integration of business tech can go a long way in improving your organizational culture. Let’s look at how technology and culture interconnect in the workplace, specifically, and strategies you can use to boost this technological integration.
Enhance communication
One of the first and most obvious ways that technology can be used to improve corporate culture is by enhancing communication. Tools such as Slack, Asana, Google Teams, etc. can increase your team’s capacity to work together dramatically by facilitating communication.
In particular, these tools can be essential for remote interdepartmental communication. The result is a more interconnected and mutually supportive team—one that collaborates seamlessly across the organization and in both virtual and on-campus environments.
Optimize transparency
One of the greatest threats to company culture is mistrust. If your employees don’t feel that the business is being forthright or operating in the best interests of customers and staff, sooner or later, there will be trouble. However, technology can be a superb resource for increasing transparency and boosting employee engagement institution-wide.
For example, resource management tools can be used to ensure that business assets are being distributed fairly. However, they also can be used to support transparency concerning resource allocation, budgeting, scheduling, and other processes impacting employees. This can ensure that employees feel as if they are both valued and treated equitably within the organization.
Take, for example, the common practice of assigning some employees company cars. This can be an incredibly savvy business move for organizations with sufficient needs and resources. However, the purchase of company cars isn’t something to be taken lightly.
Rather, the investment must be made judiciously and with deliberation. Technology can support this decision-making process using sophisticated data analytics to assess the financial feasibility and benefits of the purchase.
This kind of research and analysis not only ensures that you are making sound business decisions, but that you also have the evidence you need to communicate the need effectively. When you’re operating a small business, in which such expenditure can take a bite out of the budget, such professionalism in financial management is critical for your culture.
The takeaway
Business technology and positive company culture are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, the integration of technology can be a powerful asset in cultivating a positive workplace environment. This includes unleashing the power of technology to support seamless communication institution-wide. Likewise, communication and productivity technologies can go far in supporting engagement and collaboration between on-campus and remote workers.
Similarly, technologies can be used to support transparency in business operations and decision making. This, in turn, serves to build trust between employees and leaders and prevents unhealthy competition between colleagues. The result is a more cohesive, trusting, and mutually supportive organizational environment—one in which strong communication and effective collaboration prevail.
Katie Brenneman
Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in lifestyle, mental health, education, and fitness-related content. When she isn't writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. To connect with Katie, you can follow her on Twitter.
