Digital transformation is taking place across all industries and sectors at the moment as digital technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, becoming increasingly commonplace and enabling faster change and progress in nearly every field of activity. From advances in AI technology to the rise of digital currencies, which has created a lot of buzz around the Bitcoin price, tech transformation is taking place all around us. Many of the tasks and processes that people used to perform manually now involve some level of digitalization, be it through the use of programs, websites, applications, software, and other internet-based and computerized resources and tools.
Therefore, digital literacy is now a non-negotiable in the workplace. In order for employees to perform their tasks and responsibilities accurately and efficiently and drive the business forward, they need to have a solid knowledge of an ever-increasing range of digital solutions and tools. One may assume that most workers already possess these types of skills given that we live in such a highly technologized world where digital devices surround us at every turn.
However, being digitally literate entails more than operating a computer or knowing how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as used to be the case back in the day. With new tools and solutions emerging all the time, employees today have to put in a lot more effort to develop their skills and gain digital proficiency.
As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure that your staff reaches a satisfactory level of digital literacy. So, if you’re wondering what measures you should take in respect, this short guide will walk you through the main steps you need to follow to achieve your goal.
What is digital literacy?
First, we have to explain what digital literacy in the workplace is about. In simple terms, digital literacy can be described as a combination of intellectual and technical abilities that allow people to use a variety of digital resources – be it tech devices such as computers and tablets, tools, apps, platforms or software – with the purpose of conducting different work-related tasks and activities.
Therefore, digital literacy is a very broad concept that encompasses an ever-expanding range of skills and aptitudes. And while requirements differ from one workplace to another, nowadays, nearly every job and role involve some level of digital literacy. Some employees may only be tasked with using basic digital tools and processes such as answering emails or using online communication tools, while others may have more complex responsibilities assigned to them such as using advanced applications, programming or coding.
How can digital literacy improve your business?
Many people still believe that digital literacy is only necessary in tech environments, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. All businesses, regardless of industry or niche, can benefit from having a digitally literate workforce.
For starters, helping your employees advance their digital knowledge will make it easier for them to perform daily tasks and reach their objectives, which in turn can lead to higher employee satisfaction. At the same time, digital solutions can streamline a plethora of otherwise resource-consuming activities and processes, thus increasing performance and productivity levels in your company.
Given that most organizations today run their operations online and collect digital data in one form or another, digital literacy can also ensure they remain compliant with data protection rules and regulations and avoid costly mistakes. And let’s not forget about security risks, which have become a major concern for all organizations given the rising rate of cyberattacks in recent years. Having a digitally literate workforce that is familiar with internet safety rules and knows what antivirus programs such as Norton 360 or VPNs are about is going to help your business keep these common threats at bay.
Improving digital literacy throughout your organization
There’s no question that digital literacy is paramount for all organizations. However, since most companies employ professionals from different backgrounds, age groups and with different abilities, it can be difficult to make sure all team members achieve an optimum level of digital literacy. Nevertheless, it’s very much possible to reach this goal by implementing a few basic measures, as follows.
Communicate benefits clearly
Although digital literacy is something we often take for granted, you shouldn’t assume that all people understand the role it can play in their professional lives. If you want to make your employees more eager to advance their digital skills, you need to explain the benefits they provide. Once your workers become aware of these advantages and their value, the process of acquiring new skills will happen more organically
Asses digital skills
As mentioned previously, digital literacy levels are bound to vary from one employee to another. If you want to know where your workforce stands in this respect and what needs to be improved, you need to conduct regular assessments to evaluate their digital skills.
Ensure adequate training
Based on the results of the evaluation, you can implement training programs within your organisation that can help your employees boost their digital literacy. You can also encourage staff members to undergo independent training by providing different invectives. Even reading blogs or watching tutorials can help a lot in this respect. There are many online resources that advise people on the smart handling of software, which can prove useful in expanding their knowledge in the field.
Improve and adapt your strategies
Just because you’ve invested in adequate training doesn’t mean your work is done. Improving digital literacy in the workplace is not a one-time thing but an ongoing effort, so you’ll have to constantly evaluate the results of the training and then adjust and refine your strategies to obtain better results in the future.
Final thoughts
Digital literacy should be a priority for every entrepreneur who wants to maintain high productivity levels and set up their business for success in the highly competitive digital age. Therefore, it’s crucial to invest enough time and resources into helping your workforce improve their digital skills in the long run.
