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Understanding the digital environment and how to apply technology in a people context
Core knowledge
Digital working
Understanding the digital environment and how to apply technology in a people context
Digital working is about understanding the role of technology and the impact it has on people and the people function. It’s knowing the latest technology offerings and understanding how they can improve productivity and help more collaborative work.
For people professionals, digital working is about keeping up to date with emerging digital solutions and using them in a way that enhances efficiency and the employee experience. Digital working covers the role of social media and its influence on the employer brand. A key aspect of our roles is identifying the impact of technology decisions on people.
'With almost three quarters of the world's population communicating via mobile devices, and almost half connected via the internet, it is not surprising that the world in general has been revolutionised by technology in the last 10 years. And so it is in employment and the world of work too. That means that, as HR professionals, we all must learn and adapt to the ways of digital technology. The HR function itself is evolving dramatically to digitally enable the workforce to improve each person’s own performance and create more value to business overall.'
Jonathan Ferrar, Co-founder and CEO, Insight222 Limited
Digital working standards
Each standard progresses through four levels of impact. Which level do you most embody in your day-to-day work?
Fundamental level
At this level you'll understand:
- The range of technology that is used in the people profession
- That technology can help people work more collaboratively
- How people use social media inside and outside organisations, and the risks associated with it
- The benefits of technology for people and organisations
Associate level
At this level you'll understand:
- What technology is available in your area of the people profession and its impact on your work
- How technology can be used to help people work more collaboratively, and the opportunities and risks associated with it
- The workplace risks of social media, and how to use it effectively to form networks, provide voice and enable CPD
- How to review the impact of technology on roles in an organisation
Chartered Member level
At this level you'll understand:
- How to use technology to support the delivery of people practices, and improve the worker experience
- The different technologies that enable collaboration in different contexts, and the impact of technology on ways of working
- How to use social media to access professional communities, build internal communities, and the connections with an organisation’s communication strategy
- The risks and opportunities of technologies, and how to assess the impact and value of technology in your area of the profession
Chartered Fellow level
At this level you'll understand:
- Emerging technologies which can improve the people proposition, and how to integrate with wider organisation technologies
- How to maximise collaboration through technology, to improve performance and people outcomes
- How to integrate social media into the people strategy and use it to support and protect the employer brand
- How to review and shape the role of technology in organisations, and the impact on the people strategy
Things to start thinking about
Use these prompts to reflect on your understanding of Digital working and uncover areas for future professional development.
- How could technology be used to further improve people practices in your organisation?
- When did you last review the impact of new technologies in your area of the people profession?
- What is your approach to social media and how to do you assess its organisational value?
- How does the organisation’s digital agenda impact the people strategy?
Resources to guide your work, career planning and development, available on the CIPD's main site.
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