Technical setup, strategies, and processes in a new work environment

“New Work” study: how companies are successfully meeting current demands

Digitization and new technologies have changed the demands placed on the work environment significantly in recent years. The coronavirus pandemic has further accelerated this development and made working outside the traditional office environment the new standard. The LHIND study on “New Work” examines these processes in German companies.

Download now: “New Work” study as a PDF

The study reveals how digitized the working practices of German companies already are, the biggest challenges posed by New Work, and how employers can successfully overcome these challenges.

New Work in practice: findings of a study on the digital work environment

Digitized work requires new skills, methods, and ultimately a new mindset from both employers and employees — this transformation toward a new way of working is a major issue for companies. To assess the current state of this transformation, Lufthansa Industry Solutions conducted a comprehensive study in Germany at the end of 2020 in collaboration with Corp News Media Thöring & Stuhr. The findings of this study — combined with expert opinions on topics such as collaboration tools, HR self-services, and leadership — deliver valuable insights into how companies can successfully overcome the challenges posed by the new work environment.

Digital services in companies: the current situation

A survey of 1,011 employees in Germany conducted on behalf of Lufthansa Industry Solutions provides insight into the current state of digitization in the business processes of German workplaces. It indicates that the top three services provided digitally are:

  1. Time tracking (47%)
  2. Vacation requests (43%)
  3. Payroll (37%)

These figures demonstrate that there is still significant potential for the digitization of HR processes in many companies.

New Work — a complex digital ecosystem

The implementation of Digital Work is an extensive undertaking. It requires change management, internal communication, and organizational development. The study indicates that successful transformation requires a long-term perspective and continuous support. Typical project timelines are 1–1.5 years until the technological implementation is complete and the new processes are fully established within the organization.

The success of Digital Work is based upon three pillars:

  • Technical setup: implementation of the necessary IT infrastructure and tools
  • Strategy, adoption, and change: development of a clear vision, fostering of employee acceptance, and support for the change process
  • Evergreen and processes: continuous customization and optimization of systems and workflows

All the findings can be found in the “New Work. Tools, Collaboration, Leadership” study.

The three key insights relate to the following areas:

A well-functioning technical setup is essential for the success of New Work and Digital Work. To begin with, the readiness of the network, the technical server infrastructure, and the complexity of on-premises data must be considered.

Collaboration tools, mobile devices, working from home, and cloud scenarios tailored to requirements enable new forms of working together.

Only 18 percent of the employees surveyed say that their company offers focused training on getting the most out of virtual working. At the same time, the change New Work has brought about for employees should not be underestimated. Participation and genuine dialog are key enablers for effectively supporting the technical provision of apps and services, thus ensuring the success of new ways of working.

Companies must ask themselves the following questions:

  • What learning formats are needed to support the workforce?
  • To what extent do managers need to be involved?
  • In what form is community management necessary?
  • Can the organization handle all this independently or can existing standards and best practices be leveraged?
  • Where does a company need to individualize?

The following areas play a role in this:

  • Adoption and change
  • Work organization
  • Project organization
  • Communication, training, and use cases

One of the major new challenges of New Work is to make the best possible use of a whole ecosystem of digital tools and assess each technological innovation for the value it adds to the company. To integrate technical services, functions, and apps efficiently and comprehensively into everyday working life, corresponding business processes need to be considered from the outset.

The following points need to be considered:

  • Digital ecosystems
  • Business processes
  • Customizations

The study reveals what lies behind all this and the tools Office 365, for example, has available.

Key facts from the “New Work” study

The study includes:

  • Survey findings on the work situation in German companies
  • Interviews with experts about collaboration tools, HR self-services, and leadership
  • Summaries and details of the key parameters in the area of New Work
  • Insights and guidance for successfully establishing New Work and Digital Work within companies

Download the “New Work” study.

Download now: “New Work” study as a PDF

The study reveals how digitized the working practices of German companies already are, the biggest challenges posed by New Work, and how employers can successfully overcome these challenges.