THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACED BY MODERN WORKPLACES

8 workplace challenges and how to overcome them

Internal challenges

1. Problems with colleagues

Whether it’s employees, managers or the boss, the workplace can be filled with people who don’t communicate well or they harass or discriminate others. There are also colleagues who are slackers, bullies, gossipers, troublemakers, whiners, complainers, saboteurs, or backstabbers. These can cause misunderstandings, distrust, anxiety, and stress. They can also affect productivity, performance, mood, morale, reputations, and employee/management relationships.

Solution: You can overcome this challenge by promoting equality and teamwork, asking for and giving feedback, addressing negative attitudes and behaviours, and so on. This will result in a happier, more collaborative and engaged workforce, which can lead to increased productivity, retention, and success.

2. Unwillingness to acknowledge problems

Employees often approach problems from the same perspective, and so as new issues arise, they risk not acknowledging them, or at least not recognising them as problems. And a business that won’t recognise problems won’t be able to solve them, hindering them from finding success.

Solution: Businesses can overcome this challenge by being open to adopting new perspectives to help shift mindsets and see other points of view. You should also ask solution-driven questions. This way, you’ll be able to recognise problems when they arise and, in turn, your business can keep moving forward.

3. Lack of integrity

Everyone wants to be successful in their career and will do anything to get ahead. For example, they could cut corners, omit information, lie and steal, or deceive others. These practices destroy the trust between people and, without trust, the business cannot compete effectively and it will fail.

Solution: Praise and promote behaviour that promotes working together, as opposed to working for yourself. This does not mean that all efforts need to be for only the team’s benefit as a whole, but rather making sure that employees see the value of helping and building trust with each other. With trust between team members, your business can compete effectively and become successful.

4. Ineffective training and development programs

Training and development programs may not work due to hectic employee schedules, a geographically dispersed workforce, different learning habits, lack of engagement, irrelevant training, and high costs. This’ll result in inadequately trained employees, which can lead to poor job performance, increased stress, higher turnover, as well as lost time, money, and customers.

Solution: You can overcome this challenge by tailoring your training and development programs or by providing micro-credentials. Micro-credentials offer a more personalised, efficient, and cost-effective way to ensure your workforce are keeping their skills relevant and certified. Effective training and development programs enable your organisation to upskill its workforce, innovate, compete successfully, and deliver tangible business growth.

External challenges

5. Uncertainty

Uncertainty in the global economy and credit markets, about what competitors are doing, and about how new technology will affect the business can lead to a short-term focus and people not getting anything done. Companies end up making short-term plans instead of long-term plans, but failing to plan 5-10 years into the future can destroy the company’s value.

Solution: You can overcome this challenge by balancing the need for a more reactive, short-term focus with the need for informed, long-term strategies. This will help improve employees’ confidence in the business, and provide a long-term outlook and strategy to address economic doubts.

6. Regulatory changes

Regulatory changes can affect business decision-making. For example, companies may face demand from customers or shareholders to become more ‘green’, changes to corporate tax rates, or increased costs due to new carbon taxes.

Solution: You can overcome this challenge by understanding the regulations and government policies in your industry and their implications for your business, and by developing the necessary skills to deal with them. Understanding the law and its implications will enable your business to make intelligent decisions.

7. Fear of globalisation

Globalisation is on the rise, with many companies now entering new markets, which can be threatening for businesses with a traditionally local focus now having to compete with international companies. Companies that aren’t operating on an international scale can feel at risk as a result, and may even be left behind as the marketplace evolves.

Solution: You can overcome this challenge by understanding foreign markets and cultures, recognising disruptive competitors, and maintaining global awareness, even if your business operates locally. This can help broaden your industry knowledge, which can help you keep up with or even surpass your competitors.

8. Technological advancements

Technology continues to advance at a rapid rate, and a competitor might wait for the next-generation tech, which could just be one year away, and then use it to their advantage. But being that competitor also has its risks. It can be hard to master the company’s current technology and stay informed about emerging technology at the same time.

Solution: You can overcome this challenge by creating a long-term technology strategy while staying flexible enough to take advantage of unexpected technological developments. This’ll allow you to gain the upper hand over your competitors.

Overcome workplace challenges with DeakinCo.
So there you have it, there are eight common challenges that businesses face in the workplace today and you can overcome them by following the tips discussed here. The better you can handle these workplace challenges, the more successful your organisation will be.

DeakinCo. can work with your organisation to implement workforce solutions that will help you overcome any challenges you may be facing. Contact us today to discuss your needs and how we can help you.