Changing Global Norms
The Digital Employee Experience (DEX) has emerged as a critical aspect, gaining significance with the influx of younger generations into the workforce. This article delves into the growing importance of DEX, the impact of Gen Z and Millennials, the shift towards hybrid work, and the pivotal role of IT in shaping this digital landscape.
Related Content: The Analyst Experience
The Role of IT in DEX
How often has it occurred to you recently that DEX is an essential part of IT service management (ITSM)? The fact is that many need to pay more attention to digital tools used by employees post-deployment. As far as they are concerned, these users have all the tools to succeed in today’s digital world. We know you can encourage employees to take advantage of new technologies, especially as artificial intelligence (AI) runs ever more rampant throughout pretty much everything we do in our daily work. However, are they using the technology to its highest potential? And are they doing so in a safe manner to ensure your network stays protected?
It may seem like a no-brainer, but employees are being forced to adapt to new technologies at an exponential rate, and sometimes, it can frankly be exhausting. Even though younger people entering the workforce are considered digital natives, the technology always seems to stay steps ahead, which can lead to burnout, or just as important, security breaches. So, how can we use all the tools at our disposal to help make DEX as easy and safe as possible?
One important way to address these challenges is to implement the role of a dedicated Chief Information Officer (CIO). They have some major responsibilities! The role of the CIO has evolved beyond traditional IT responsibilities to encompass a broader strategic focus, including talent management. Some industry experts advocate for viewing the CIO as the Chief Talent Officer due to their involvement in shaping organizational strategies around attracting, developing, and retaining skilled professionals. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into all aspects of business, the CIO is tasked with not only managing IT infrastructure but also with ensuring the organization has the right talent to navigate digital transformations.
This shift recognizes the crucial link between technology and human capital, emphasizing the importance of aligning IT strategies with talent development to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in the modern business landscape. Please note that specific sources can be obtained through recent publications or industry reports for the most up-to-date information on these topics.
How Does Network Visibility Fit In?
Network visibility plays a pivotal role in enhancing the DEX by providing a robust foundation for seamless and secure connectivity. In the contemporary digital landscape, where remote work and distributed teams are prevalent, the ability to understand, monitor, and optimize network performance is crucial for ensuring a positive digital employee experience. Comprehensive visibility architecture allows organizations to identify and address potential bottlenecks or issues in real time, optimizing the availability and reliability of inline security devices. This directly translates into improved network performance, reducing latency and ensuring that employees have smooth access to essential digital tools and applications.
Moreover, the network visibility architecture contributes to a more secure digital work environment. By quickly isolating security threats through active SSL decryption and efficient data inspection, organizations can safeguard sensitive information and maintain a secure digital workspace. The implementation of visibility architecture not only eliminates blind spots but also enhances the accuracy of the current security infrastructure.
This, in turn, fosters a sense of confidence and trust among digital employees, knowing that their digital interactions are protected. In essence, network visibility serves as a linchpin for organizations striving to create a conducive and secure digital workplace, ensuring that employees can seamlessly navigate digital tasks with confidence in the reliability and security of the underlying network infrastructure.
Partner Focus: Riverbed Global DEX Survey 2023
As a part of this deep dive into DEX, we want to highlight a recent survey that our partner Riverbed published. It provides extremely valuable insights into where DEX stands now and how we can work to improve it for better employee engagement and safer online environments.
The 2023 Riverbed Global DEX Survey delves into the viewpoints of 1,800 IT and business decision-makers spanning 10 countries and seven industries. These leaders pinpoint the challenges and discrepancies confronting organizations, while also highlighting strategies and investment focal points aimed at addressing the continually evolving digital expectations of employees.
By identifying challenges and discrepancies faced by organizations, leaders can formulate strategies and investment priorities to cater to the ever-evolving digital expectations of employees. Recognizing and addressing these aspects not only enhances employee satisfaction and productivity but also contributes to the overall resilience and adaptability of organizations in a rapidly changing digital environment. In essence, caring about DEX is an essential strategic imperative for fostering a positive and dynamic workplace that aligns with the expectations and needs of the modern workforce.
Read the Full Report Here
Challenges and Gaps in DEX
Whether it be issues related to technology integration, communication gaps, or adapting to evolving employee expectations, the survey sheds light on the multifaceted nature of obstacles hindering the seamless implementation of effective DEX initiatives. By understanding and addressing these difficulties, organizations can tailor strategies to enhance their digital work environments and foster a more positive employee experience.
According to the report, resource constraints pose a formidable challenge to implementing robust DEX strategies. Insufficient budget allocations, inadequate technology infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled personnel are among the factors that can hinder the successful execution of DEX initiatives. Understanding the implications of limited resources is crucial for organizations seeking to prioritize investments, optimize existing capabilities, and strategically allocate resources to create an environment where employees can thrive digitally.
Some consequences of a failure to invest and adapt may include decreased employee satisfaction, lowered productivity, and a higher risk of talent attrition. Furthermore, organizations that fall short in meeting digital expectations risk losing their competitive edge in attracting and retaining top talent. Understanding and heeding these potential consequences highlighted by the survey is imperative for organizations aiming to stay agile and responsive in an increasingly digital-centric work environment.
Strategies and Investment Areas
So what can organizations do to retain that talent and maintain security? Get Network Visibility is working every day to provide valuable resources to assist with employee training programs, and help make the zero-trust architecture as secure as possible while maintaining data integrity and data democracy.
Here are a few of our top tips to ensure DEX is easily incorporated into your organization:
Invest in Technology Infrastructure:
- Allocate resources to upgrade and maintain a robust technology infrastructure, including reliable communication tools and collaboration platforms.
- Monitor the performance of these technologies through network visibility to ensure optimal functionality, identify potential issues, and allow for proactive troubleshooting to maintain a seamless digital experience.
Employee Training and Support:
- Provide ongoing training to employees on digital tools and platforms, and establish a dedicated support system for addressing technical queries or challenges.
- Monitoring user interactions with digital tools can help identify areas where employees may require additional training or support, allowing organizations to tailor their assistance based on actual usage patterns.
Regular Performance Assessments:
- Conduct regular assessments of digital infrastructure performance and user experiences to identify areas for improvement.
Flexible Work Arrangements:
- Implement flexible work policies, including remote work options, to accommodate the diverse preferences and needs of the workforce.
- Ensuring comprehensive visibility into network traffic enables organizations to manage remote connectivity efficiently, optimizing network performance and security for employees working from various locations.
This is just scratching the surface of how organizations will need to adapt to a changing workforce and technology landscape. Staying ahead is of course made easier when your network is operating at maximum capacity so CIOs and other management team members can focus on people. Which, we can’t stress enough, are the most important part of any organization’s network security, and ultimately success!
In summary, network visibility serves as a linchpin in implementing these strategies by providing organizations with real-time insights into network performance, user interactions, and potential security threats. It enables proactive decision-making, optimizing digital experiences for employees and contributing to a positive and productive work environment. Together with Riverbed, Get Network Visibility is your partner in ensuring your workforce is experiencing the best environment possible to keep your organization running efficiently and safely.
