The hidden cost of workplace tech friction

Improving employee productivity and efficiency is one of the top priorities for CIOs today. According to Gartner, 81% of CIOs say these areas will remain a focus for the rest of the year.

Hybrid work has also raised expectations for the office experience. Employees have gotten used to reliable technology and familiar tools at home. When they come into the office, they expect to find technology that’s simple and ready to use. 

However, many organizations continue to lose productive time to workplace technology that doesn’t run as expected. Employees might have a hard time finding the right space, starting a meeting, or connecting to the tools they need. Those disruptions frustrate employees and pull IT teams away from strategic work.

According to Cenero, 90% of people experience tech-related stress in meetings. Creating a more consistent experience across the workplace can help employees spend their time connecting and collaborating instead of dealing with technology.

Create a consistent experience throughout the day

Imagine you’ve just started working from the office a few days a week. Before leaving home, you reserve a desk and meeting room. When you arrive, digital wayfinding directs you to your workspace. Later, you step into a huddle room for a team call and join with the same familiar process you used in a larger conference room the day before.

Standardizing technology and workflows across spaces gives employees confidence to move through their day without figuring out how each room works. Continued training helps maintain that consistency as new employees join. 

Keep the technology simple

Start by understanding what employees need to accomplish in each space. “Workplace technology should support a business application, a person, and a purpose,” said Christopher Emminizer, president and chief revenue officer at Cenero.    

Employee interaction with the technology should also be minimal. Cenero works with Crestron to provide solutions that automate parts of the meeting experience and work across Microsoft Teams and Zoom. This gives employees a simpler experience while providing flexibility as an organization’s collaboration needs evolve. 

When architecture and design firm LS3P relocated its Charlotte office, the team worked with Cenero to create a simpler workplace experience. The project delivered flexible spaces that make it easier for employees to meet and share ideas, while proactive support gives LS3P insight into how its spaces are performing.

Let workplace data guide your investment

Ongoing support and monitoring can ensure reliability and functionality of your workspace technology. For example, real-time remote management helps identify and resolve technical issues before they disrupt meetings. This saves resources while improving the overall experience.

Leaders can also look at how employees use spaces to see where technology investments are delivering value. Room activity shows which spaces employees rely on, while service trends reveal which systems need attention. 

Collaboration technology typically has a five- to six-year lifespan. Combining activity and service data helps CIOs decide which systems to replace first and plan upcoming investments based on demand. 

Give employees a reason to come in

A successful hybrid workplace makes it easy for employees to connect and collaborate throughout the day. Creating a simple, consistent experience gives employees greater value from their time in the office — and makes the commute worthwhile.

Discover how to create workplace experiences that make it easier for employees to connect and collaborate. Explore Cenero’s digital workplace solutions.