Uncertainty and change are driving innovation in the workplace, but they're also creating new headaches for businesses, according to a report from Adobe Document Cloud.
A survey of companies in the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India found that 70% of managers and employees agree that "change has become the new constant." in the workplace".
But despite employee anxiety, 68% of SMB executives and 77% of business leaders believe that "constant uncertainty is forcing their business to find new ways to collaborate."
The only certainty is uncertainty.
Economy, politics, climate change, armed violence and Covid-19. These are the top concerns of enterprise and SMB managers and employees, Adobe's Future of Time report reveals (opens in a new tab).
These concerns have taken over the workplace, with 70% of managers and employees saying they talk more about day-to-day business than they did last year. And that's bad news for employees, 1 in 3 of whom said the increased uncertainty makes it harder for them to focus on their work.
However, employees aren't the only ones who fear being pushed over the edge. While 39% of employees are considering a new job in 2023, so are managers (41%) and bosses of SMEs (34%). Of those who feel their employer is not aligned with their values, 52% admitted they might look for a new job.
But it's not all bad news, and it looks like digital tools could be the key to re-engagement.
According to Adobe, where companies invested in digital solutions, employees were "twice as likely to say they experienced a better work-life balance due to innovation," compared to companies without online creation and collaboration tools. line. And 20% said they experienced greater efficiency and better working relationships with their colleagues.
Business leaders have also witnessed similar results. 80% said they saw "at least one benefit from increased innovation in the workplace, including increased productivity and efficiency."
In response to concerns from business stakeholders, 71% of SME managers and 81% of business leaders believe that their organizations will increasingly digitize over the next year, to help employers and employees cope with uncertainty in the future.