The last two years have caused businesses in the UAE to readdress the way they use technology, with a laser-focus now being put on digital services and capabilities.
The government has unveiled strategic initiatives to drive this shift, and has also placed a great deal of importance in making remote and hybrid working accessible to all.
For example, last year, the UAE announced a one-year residency permit for remote workers to help attract talent from across the globe.
But what’s driving this new obsession with digital business? In short, it’s a response to prevailing workforce conditions.
Whether you believe it’s happening or not, the so-called “Great Resignation” is changing the dynamic between companies and their respective employees.
Employees are no longer content with stagnant roles; they expect the opportunity for ongoing professional development so they can expand their skills to satisfy their personal growth goals. And they want a great experience along that journey.
Business leaders are feeling the crunch because employee experience is no longer a simple phrase; it’s something that needs to be developed into business best practice.
According to recent research from Gartner, attracting and retaining talent is now the top business priority for 31 percent of CEOs worldwide – up from just 16 percent last year. In fact, it’s seen the biggest jump of all priorities.
While the analyst firm is unconvinced it’s an ideal shift in mindset – instead recommending a greater focus on internal factors such as training and upskilling – it advises there is “a need for CEOs to focus more sharply on productivity as a way to reduce staff volume hiring needs”.
That demand for increased productivity is clear to see at a local level, too. According to an Avaya poll conducted by YouGov, 92 percent of Emiratis believe that, for Emiratisation to succeed, employees need a fast way to develop their skills and knowledge within the private sector.
The notion productivity isn’t already atop the CEO agenda may seem baffling – after all, more productive employees contribute to increased performance at their organisations, keeping them motivated to stick around.
But it’s not even in the top 10. Gartner’s data 2022 CEO Survey data shows while 62 percent see current inflation increases as a persistent or long-term issue, only 22 percent view productivity as their first response to managing the challenge.
It’s been touted a thousand times: hybrid work, in its many flavours, is here to stay. But flexible hours and arrangements are only one piece in the productivity puzzle.
To ensure effective hybrid work and overcome talent acquisition and retention challenges, employers must empower their employees to be productive through access to the affordances of today’s advanced technologies.
Workers must have the tools to stay connected and collaborate with their peers, and perform at their peak through various channels without jumping hurdles or circling roundabouts when trying to do their jobs. These are the fundamentals of productivity.
Although they served their purpose in the early stages of the pandemic, run-of-the-mill communications apps don’t cut it anymore.
Staff should be supported by automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) while working, particularly to remove – or at least reduce – the burden of repetitive, time-consuming and administrative tasks.
That gives them the capacity to focus on high value activity that bring greater value to the business and its stakeholders.
At the same time, companies need to take greater advantage of data analytics to understands whether employees’ needs are being met, and determine whether there are roadblocks they need removed from their workflows.
Placing employee needs above all else is what we strive for at Avaya. According to a study commissioned by Avaya, 64 percent of UAE workers consider the ability to work remotely as a driver of happiness. In addition, the study found that the UAE’s workforce is the world’s best equipped for remote working.
These findings are a clear indicator of what makes employees happy. To ensure that their needs are being met, organisations need to provide their employees with a digitally-enabled environment.
As it stands, 49 percent of CEOs agree it’s very difficult to find and hire the right people for their business, per Gartner’s survey.
The sooner organisations empower employees to optimise productivity, the faster they will be able to plug their talent shortages, and importantly, better retain their skilled workers.
Using technology to support staff to do their best and work to their own beat unlocks flexibility and operational agility while reducing business risk, and ultimately sets a new benchmark for recovery.
Caroline Hobeika, Senior Director – Human Resources, Avaya International
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