• 64% feel AI and automation will enable them to prioritize their high value tasks.
• Two out of three believe digital skilling is key to succeed in the emerging normal.
• For the enterprise to become digitally resilient, technology investments is key.

New Delhi, July 2, 2021. While the shift towards flexible work has been on for some time, COVID-19 significantly accelerated the shift to remote work. As per new research from CyberMedia Research (CMR) titled “The Future Digital Workforce Now” the future workplace will be digital and hybrid at the core. 51% of Indian workers report increased productivity in the new normal, while 80% felt more motivated to work. Digital transformation will be key to proof enterprises from future, external shocks, such as the pandemic.

According to Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CMR, “Organizations seeking to re-architect the future of work in a post-virus era will require imagination, robust strategies, and a rapid acceleration in technology adoption. For enterprises to be digitally-resilient, they will need to automate workflows, digitize employee interactions, and digitally transform their supply chains and marketing channels.”

Beyond the digital natives, the digital transformation forays will need to put the employee at the core of the digital transformation. For the emerging new digital work ethic, enterprises must seek to enable growth mindsets, and focus on skilling, and imparting digital fluency.

According to Sugandha Srivastava, Manager-Industry Consulting Group, CMR, “Emerging from the chaos and uncertainties of the past year, employees are looking for ways to develop their technical skills, abilities, and competencies. Enterprises seeking to future-proof themselves should focus on enabling their employees, by imparting digital skills, providing creative, social and emotional skills.”

Here are the major study highlights:

• The future of work is flexible and remote.

  • 51% of Indian workers report increased productivity, attributing it to time saved in long commutes, and the increased flexibility in a work from home context.
  • 80% millennial Indian workers feel more motivated to work
  • 61% feel that their office spaces would reduce in a post-virus, remote-first future.

• AI and Automation will enable reimagining the remote workplace.

  • 64% of Indian workers believe that automation of workflows will help in prioritizing higher value tasks in an always-on work environment.

• Skilling is key in the digital workplace.

  • 67% of Indian workers seek more opportunities to upgrade their skill-sets via online learning platforms.
  • 52% are now working with their employers to chart their career paths, and upskilling/reskilling as required.

• The ‘always on’ digital workplace is demanding.

  • 69% of Indian workers highlight the pressure to ‘remain present and available for work at all times.’
  • 52% feel disconnected from the organization, and from their colleagues.
  • 53% of GenZ believe that their learning opportunities could be limited in the current work dynamic.

• The digital workplace requires empathy and authenticity at its core.

  • 58% seek regular calls to ‘check-in’ on colleagues
  • 48% are keen to increase ‘team building’ exercises.

To sustain employee networks in a remote work era, enterprises need to double down on their employee experiences.

About the Study:

“The Future Digital Workforce Now” study polled 800 executives, across job roles, and more than 15 different industries, ranging from healthcare to manufacturing, from technology to retail. Respondents were in the age group of 21 to 55 plus, and came from the top eight Tier-1 cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

Contact: releases@cmrindia.com