The way tech has exploded – and how it plays a crucial role in absolutely everything we do now – is no great surprise.

It’s allowed people to be smarter and more productive in their job roles, and has created business opportunities that simply weren’t there five, 10 or 20 years ago.

But the way in which automation and machine learning have truly transformed a workforce isn’t down to just one particular event. Instead, it’s a continuation of developments which keep impacting – and modernising – the way in how companies operate today.

And, organisations are being held accountable when navigating all the twists and turns that come with tech, in a bid to remain relevant during the ever-evolving online landscape – which shows no signs of slowing down.

But, whilst innovation is crucial, digital disruption has had a huge hand in underlining just how important soft skills are in business – something which may not have been such a consideration for many companies.

Customer centricity is everything

Tech has also outlined how important it is for leaders to be flexible during flux, be a team player, communicate effectively with departments, and ensure they place the same importance on their own staff, and value them as much as the end user.

For example, digital developments have provided workers and employers with the power to move away from the traditional 9-5 working day. They can now operate remotely, and speak to customers, colleagues and clients from anywhere – regardless of time zones. Technology has opened the doors for staff members to use it to their advantage, and realign their roles, in order to suit their own lifestyles.

Not only that, but it’s allowed more organisations to realign their change management processes, which are now a core part of many growth plans for businesses operating in a modern-day society.

Gone too, are the days of a company’s 12-month plan that was once set in stone because everything is evolving too fast for time-restrictive goals. Organisations must now be prepared to consistently tweak and update projects, and strategic plans in-line with ever-changing market requirements, in order to discover ‘utopia’ – before their competitors do.

Tech should make operational tasks slicker

Firms should use machines to their advantage – as an enabler to everything they do – to ensure a more agile approach when completing tasks. AI and automation have the power to conduct the day-to-day repetitive and mundane duties that were previously done manually, releasing teams to shift their focus towards their own improved productivity and customer needs.

A key thing to remember is that – while digital disruption continues to deliver incredible results and make lives easier – there’s still a genuine need for humans to work alongside robots, in order to achieve the greatest outcome.

Savvy systems have certainly helped departments to modernise and widen the net for both their business and customer needs, but to stay ahead of the curve, companies must still work hard to build relationships with their key marketplace, and do the things that machines can’t.

Those that are willing to evolve with the disruption brought about by innovation, and remain agile and flexible to change, should be on track to enhancing their productivity, and maintaining a happy, engaged workforce that always keeps end users at the forefront of their minds.

Tech shouldn’t be a scary prospect for companies. It must be embraced and used correctly, in order to help modernise workforces and continue to assist in positive, operational growth throughout unpredictable change.