Britain’s workplaces crave more action and less box-ticking in 2020

Managers and directors in British businesses want more action and less box-ticking in their workplace in 2020, according to a major new study conducted by YouGov for IRIS Software Group.

The research, which looked at the views of over 500 respondents in multiple fields across business and education, revealed nearly half (48%) are yearning for software to reduce their administrative burden. Respondents highlight this as the one thing that would have the biggest positive impact on their organisation in 2020, allowing them to focus on higher value work each day.

Keeping up with legislation – the necessary but complex, time-consuming tasks organisations must comply with – are also holding teams and businesses back. Almost one quarter (23%) stated mission-critical, operational software to take on this activity would increase their organisation’s productivity and performance.

Elona Mortimer-Zhika, CEO at IRIS Software Group, says: “Leaders know their staff are being distracted by complex administration. Automating these tasks has a huge impact on their organisation’s efficiency and success. Software solutions are available to take the strain of almost every operational task, allowing professionals to focus on moving their business forward.”

Engaging employees in the journey to modernising the workplace is viewed to be an important element when introducing technological change. Nearly one quarter (23%) cited that a lack of understanding and awareness of new ways of working are the key obstacles, when introducing innovation to an organisation.

Elona Mortimer-Zhika continues: “The accuracy of tax and accounts or employee HR and payroll records is vital. Combined with the need to maximise productivity and radically improve engagement with employees and customers, businesses must embrace the benefits operational software brings to their business.”

In addition, many organisations reported issues with accessing good data. Currently more than a quarter (28%) of managers admitted it’s difficult for them to access information to support decision making. While two thirds (69%) felt a single dashboard of the data they needed for their role would improve their ability to do their job.

Notably, a key barrier to embracing new technology isn’t people but budget, with over a quarter (29%) of respondents highlighting this as an issue.

Not addressing increasing administration demands on staff also threatens to impact recruitment in the future. With nearly two thirds (65%) of people believing not keeping up with the latest technology, such as automation to manage routine tasks, could stop younger recruits wanting to join their organisation.

Elona Mortimer-Zhika concludes: “For organisations to be confident about what lies ahead, they need to ensure staff aren’t crumbling under the weight of administration and compliance.  Technology needs to do the tough stuff, so people can trust it will be right first time, every time. This will give them the freedom to spend more time on their business and servicing their customers.”