Inefficient Technology Adoption in the Workplace Costs Businesses Millions, Study Finds

New research highlights the need for improved digital adoption in the evolving business landscape.

A recent study conducted by WalkMe has shed light on the significant cost and inefficiency resulting from the inadequate adoption of technology in the workplace. While enterprises are increasingly prioritizing digital solutions, the study reveals a deficit in worker best practices, leading to substantial financial losses. The research underscores the importance of digital adoption in today’s business landscape and suggests that organizations need to invest in training and streamlining solutions to address this challenge effectively.

Do workers need more digital training?

According to the study, which surveyed over 4,000 executives and employees, enterprises are losing an average of $1.14 million per week in productivity due to the underutilization of digital tools. This equates to 44 working days wasted per year as employees struggle with technology-related challenges. While 70% of organizations recognize the significance of digital adoption in their strategies, and there has been a 63% year-on-year surge in digital adoption investments, workers often lack the necessary knowledge and skills to fully leverage the technology being implemented. This renders the investments partially redundant. While training can help address this issue, it is essential to also focus on streamlining solutions.

The gap between perception and reality:

The study reveals a significant gap between the number of applications used by organizations and the leaders’ perception of their usage. Large enterprises, on average, employ 211 applications, while smaller companies use 69. However, leaders believe that they only use 21 applications. This disconnect highlights the need for organizations to have a comprehensive understanding of their digital landscape and the tools their employees are utilizing.

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The rise of digital adoption:

With predictions that IT spend could reach $5 trillion in the near future, the study emphasizes the indispensability of digital adoption, particularly as artificial intelligence becomes more pervasive. Ofir Bloch, the vice president of strategic positioning at WalkMe, asserts that effective change management and embracing digital adoption will lead to a state of “HyperProductivity.” In this state, employees will be able to use any application with ease, companies will have automated numerous processes, and technologies will be seamlessly integrated into one cohesive workflow.

The path forward:

To address the inefficiencies caused by inadequate technology adoption, organizations must invest in comprehensive training programs that equip employees with the skills needed to fully leverage digital tools. Additionally, streamlining solutions should be implemented to simplify workflows and ensure the seamless integration of technologies. By bridging the gap between perception and reality and embracing digital adoption, businesses can unlock the full potential of their investments and achieve heightened productivity.

Conclusion:

The WalkMe study highlights the significant financial losses and inefficiencies resulting from the insufficient adoption of technology in the workplace. While organizations are increasingly investing in digital solutions, the lack of knowledge and skills among employees hinders their ability to fully utilize these tools. By prioritizing comprehensive training programs and streamlining solutions, businesses can bridge this gap and achieve a state of HyperProductivity. As the business landscape continues to evolve, digital adoption will remain indispensable, and organizations must adapt to fully leverage the benefits of technology.