Are We Smart Enough For Smart Working?

Gone are the days when being a top manager meant having a big office, personal assistants, and the ability to jet-set around the world. Today, we see executives working in shared spaces, making appointments, and relying on mobile phones for communication. So what caused this shift? Was it technology adapting to our needs, or have we adapted to technology? The rise of wireless access, cloud computing, smartphones, and social media has transformed how we work. But is this new way of working truly "smart" for everyone? As we continue to embrace the evolution of work, it's essential to consider how it affects us and our productivity. Let's discuss the pros and cons of "smart working" and how it works.

Before the middle of the 4th millennium BC, i.e. before the Sumerians invented the wheel, humans were supposed to drag materials and loads with ropes. Only around 3500 BC did the Sumerians invent the wheel, hence wheelbarrows and carts. Here is the first (extraordinary) example of smart working.

We are in full smart working mode when we apply all our cerebral energies to produce maximum results using minimum physical effort. When you work hard but only physically and are not focused on how best to achieve your goal, your performance is modest. It is by working smart and hard that remarkable results are achieved. The big misconception, artfully fed, is that smart working makes people work less. False. Smart working increases your ability to focus on the quality of your output rather than the quantity, with the 'magic' effect of working more, with less effort.

When the Sumerians applied the technology of the wheel, they did not stop working, but they laboured much less and built much more. Unfortunately, they lacked the right to free time in those days, so workers did not benefit in terms of quality of life.

That's where the concept of 'smart working' comes into play. It's about finding innovative and logical ways to achieve your goals without compromising on the quality of your work. But, let's be clear, smart work doesn't mean cutting corners. It's the fruit of hard work, as only by honing your skills and knowledge can you intelligently improve your work.

Successful 'smart working' is not just about using video conferencing tools like Zoom or Teams. Instead, it's a cultural model that requires good management practices. For instance, if a manager keeps asking his assistant to print his emails, it's not a problem with smart working; it's a problem with smart management. You can only choose the right platform to use or identify the best ERP or CRM to implement by understanding this distinction.

As professionals, we all know that technology is a handy tool. But it's important to remember that it's just that - a tool. We must ask the right questions to harness its power and steer it towards problem-solving activities. With this mindset, we can achieve a better quality of life and greater success in our work. Let's work smart by working hard and directing technology towards our goals. The possibilities are endless.

The key to genuine evolution in the workplace is a cultural shift rather than just relying on technological advancements. It's time to implement a "culture of intelligent work" that promotes collaboration, flexibility, and empowerment. Here are some practical steps to get started:

• Foster a collaborative working model among all stakeholders, including individuals, teams, partners, suppliers, and customers.
• Utilize new technologies to increase efficiency and improve internal and external services.
• Encourage mental flexibility and a willingness to embrace new ways of working.
• Emphasize management by results rather than attendance, and provide shared spaces and resources.
• Empower staff to take ownership of new working styles and leverage technology to achieve a better work-life balance.
• Foster a "learning culture" that uses technology to help employees develop their skills and advance their careers.

As the saying goes, "Before you work smart, work hard, but if you only work hard and not smartly, you may end up working only hard for the rest of your life." Let's work together to create a culture of intelligent work that drives genuine evolution in the workplace.