Digital Workplace Innovations

🌱 Sustainable Design Patterns And UX Toolkits. With practical guidelines, frameworks, tools and resources to focus on what matters and remove what doesn't (scroll down for the newsletter) ↓ ✅ Always choose the lightest mode of communication. ✅ Encourage the reuse of existing templates and presets. ✅ Auto-delete after 365 days what hasn’t been used once. ✅ Discourage users from PDF exports in favor of URLs. ✅ Always provide audio-only/transcript for videos. ✅ Be intentional with default settings for your users. ✅ Highlight key insights to create understanding faster. ✅ Skip unnecessary pages: drive users to results faster. ✅ Establish an archiving and deletion policy. ✅ Show filters/presets in autocomplete, not just keywords. ✅ Nudge users to delete old files for 10% off that month. ✅ Encourage and reward users for trying out dark mode. ✅ Aim to reduce session duration instead of increasing it. ✅ Question font weights, stock photos, parallax, 4K-videos. ✅ Question collected data, if it’s used and when it’s deleted. Digital sustainability is often seen as a technical concern for engineers. We mostly speak about optimization of assets and server efficiency. In fact, we rarely explore sustainability from the perspective of UX. But as designers we have a huge impact on how sustainable or wasteful our digital experiences are. Most of our environmental impact happens on our user’s devices, so we can help our users by reducing waste and focusing on what matters. Typically, when we, as designers, speak about sustainability, we mean at least 4 facets of it: 🌱 Reducing waste ← In publishing, heavy visuals, animation, PDFs 🌻 Deleting content ← Un-publishing outdated, misleading content/flows, 🐝 Maximize reusability ← UI components, flows, processes, templates, 🌳 Sustainable defaults ← Help people make more sustainable choices Individual actions drive changes at scale, but they need a momentum. And often that momentum comes through small changes: new default settings, reduced time on task, or showing key insights, rather than all data. That’s also just good usability that can have tangible impact for users and businesses. Most importantly: whenever possible, hold on to your devices as long as possible, and encourage your customers to do the same. And if a meeting helps you reduce wasteful work done by 20 people, it’s the time worth taking. --- 👋🏼 I'm Vitaly Friedman, a UX lead who loves design, usability, writing, checklists and running UX workshops. You can find useful UX resources on my profile. I’m also running “Smart Interface Design Patterns” 🍣 (https://lnkd.in/d4CNaTxR) with a friendly video library and live UX training. 😊 #ux #design

Building AI agents that can 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 efficiently requires a well-structured approach. Without a systematic process, AI can become unpredictable and inefficient.  That’s why I’ve broken it down into a 𝟭𝟬-𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄 that ensures AI agents can: ✅ Process user inputs effectively   ✅ Retrieve relevant context & memory   ✅ Plan, execute, and automate tasks   ✅ Learn & improve through self-reflection  𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟬-𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗜 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸   𝟭. 𝗜𝗻𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Captures user queries, system requests, and sensor data.   𝟮. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 & 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹 – Uses short-term & long-term memory, plus RAG & vector databases for better recall.   𝟯. 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 – Extracts key entities & patterns, using Chain-of-Thought for logical reasoning.   𝟰. 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Defines objectives, breaks them into steps, and optimizes execution strategy.   𝟱. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 – Uses 𝗛𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗛𝗧𝗣) to organize and adapt workflows dynamically.   𝟲. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 – Calls APIs, automates processes, and integrates external AI models when needed.   𝟳. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Executes tasks autonomously, handles errors, and collaborates with multiple agents.   𝟴. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Tracks execution quality and refines tasks in real-time. 𝟵. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Uses feedback loops to improve efficiency and optimize performance.   𝟭𝟬. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗽𝘂𝘁 & 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 – Delivers results, logs improvements, and suggests future optimizations.  A well-structured AI agent can 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. This is essential for applications in 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀, 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱.  𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀?

In 2022, I predicted that by 2025, 60% of enterprises would actively foster socialization to combat chronic loneliness and social isolation exacerbated by digital technology. How has loneliness progressed? 🔍 Here's a snapshot according to Gallup's Global Workplace 2024 Report : 🌐 Globally, 1 in 5 employees report experiencing loneliness frequently, with those under 35 and fully remote workers most impacted. 😔 62% of employees are not engaged, while 15% are actively disengaged. 🆘 58% of employees feel they are struggling in life, with only 34% considering themselves thriving. ⚠️ 41% experience "a lot of daily stress." Loneliness and disconnection are silent problems — they often manifest as apathy, disengagement, or learned helplessness at work. So, what can we do to help? 💡 Steps to Consider: -Create a Support Network: Identify your team’s needs and implement channels to address them, such as employee assistance programs, financial planning tools, family assistance, buddy systems, communities, and ERGs. -Rethink the Work Environment: Co-design spaces for deeper relationships by mapping the employee experience and identifying changes in physical spaces, inclusive technology, and management practices. -Redesign Teams: Foster interdependence with collaboration platforms like fusion teams, cross-functional mentoring, and shadowing for problem-solving. - Recognize and Incentivize Goodwill: Acknowledge efforts with peer recognition/gratitude programs, making support visible to all. Implement an Inclusion Index: Measure fair treatment, collaboration, psychological safety, trust, belonging, diversity, and integration of differences through various feedback methods. - Train Managers: Provide managers with guidelines on the expected level of involvement in employee well-being. Train them in handling sensitive conversations, building personal connections, and evaluating mental health on a spectrum. Managers account for 70% of the variance in team employee engagement. Let's address these silent issues head-on and create a more connected and supportive workplace! 💪✨ #WorkplaceWellness #EmployeeEngagement #Inclusion #MentalHealth #FutureOfWork #Leadership #TeamBuilding For data see: Gallup's State of the Global Workforce Report https://lnkd.in/ecj8KUuw

How AI Agents Work: Workflow AI agents are revolutionizing automation by mimicking human reasoning, decision-making, and execution. Here is a simplified workflow of how they operate. 1. Understanding the Input 👂 Agents process natural language, structured data, and API requests to identify the problem and context. Like a smart assistant understanding "Find me Q4 sales data for top clients." 2. Leveraging Knowledge 🧠 Using domain knowledge, historical data, and user-specific contexts, agents tap into a knowledge base to make informed decisions, similar to how Netflix recommends shows based on your watching history. 3. Planning the Task ✍️ Agents break down goals into actionable steps, allocate resources, and prioritize tasks to optimize efficiency. Think of it as an AI project manager organizing a complex marketing campaign. 4. Thinking and Reasoning 💭 By applying logical inference, pattern recognition, and decision trees, agents evaluate options and predict outcomes like analyzing market trends to forecast sales. 5. Connecting the Tools 🔄 Agents integrate with APIs, data processors, and external services to access the tools they need for task execution. Imagine seamlessly connecting Slack, Gmail, and Asana in one workflow. 6. Taking Action ⚡ The execution engine ensures tasks are performed smoothly, managing errors and validating results for accuracy, just like a quality control system in manufacturing. 7. Delivering Results 📊 Agents choose the best format for output, validate quality, and incorporate user feedback to improve future responses. Similar to how Grammarly adapts to your writing style over time. 8. Staying Efficient 📈 Agents continuously monitor performance metrics, usage patterns, and system health to ensure reliability and efficiency, like a smart thermostat optimizing energy usage. Why It Matters now? AI agents are transforming workflows by enabling adaptive, autonomous decision-making. Their ability to integrate, plan, and execute makes them a game-changer across industries, from healthcare to finance. What's your experience with AI agents in your industry? Have they transformed any specific workflows in your organization? Share your story. #AI #Innovation

THE GREAT DIGITAL DIVIDE In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the chasm between those proficient in digital technologies and those without —the digital divide—is widening. This divide not only hampers individual opportunities but also poses significant challenges to organizational growth, talent acquisition, and workforce development. 🖇What happens when there is lack of Digital Adoption? Digital technologies are the backbone of modern economies, driving innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness. Organizations that embrace digital tools and platforms can streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new revenue streams. Conversely, those lagging in digital adoption risk obsolescence in an increasingly tech-driven market. A study analyzing data from 59 countries across seven regions between 2018 and 2020 found a positive relationship between economic growth and digitalization. This underscores the critical role of digital adoption in fostering economic development and competitiveness. 🗺Digital Literacy - It is a Non-Negotiable Skill Digital literacy encompasses the ability to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate, and create information using a range of digital technologies. It's no longer a supplementary skill but a fundamental requirement. ♻Impact on Talent Sourcing Organizations seeking digitally proficient candidates often find a limited pool, especially in regions where access to technology and digital education is scarce. This scarcity can lead to increased recruitment costs and extended vacancy periods, hindering organizational performance and growth. 💪Workforce Upskilling: Bridging the Gap Continuous upskilling is essential to keep pace with technological advancements. Organizations must invest in training programs that elevate employees' digital competencies, ensuring they remain competitive and innovative. How can digital literacy be emabraced well? For Individuals: ✔ Take Online Courses – Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer digital skill training. ✔ Practice Hands-On – Use digital tools like spreadsheets, collaboration platforms, and AI-powered apps. ✔ Stay Updated – Follow tech news, attend webinars, and engage in digital communities. ✔ Teach & Share – Help colleagues reinforce learning. For Organizations: ✔ Invest in Training – Provide employees with digital literacy workshops and certifications. ✔ Promote a Digital Culture – Encourage the use of tech tools in daily operations. ✔ Offer Mentorship & Support – Create peer-learning groups to share digital knowledge. ✔ Improve Accessibility – Ensure all employees have access to digital tools and resources. Embracing digital adoption and literacy isn't merely advantageous—it's imperative. How to incorporate a digital mindset? 💡https://lnkd.in/dGGM5vCK #sonniasingh #sonniasinghleadershipcoach #digitalmindset #futureofwork #digitaladoption #workplace #productivity

Automation is transforming the way we work, but not all automation is the same! Let’s break it down in simple terms with real-world examples. RPA (Robotic Process Automation) Mimics human actions on a screen (clicking, typing, copying). Best for repetitive, rule-based tasks. Example: A bot logs into an email, downloads invoices, and enters data into an ERP system. Intelligent Automation (IA) RPA + AI capabilities (OCR, NLP, Machine Learning). Can handle semi-structured and unstructured data. Example: An AI-powered bot extracts data from scanned invoices (OCR) and classifies them before processing payments.  API Automation Connects software directly without using a UI. Faster and more reliable than RPA. Requires coding knowledge to set up API calls. Example: An API automatically updates customer records in a CRM when a new order is placed—without a bot clicking anything! Why Combine RPA + API? RPA is great for legacy systems that don’t support APIs, while APIs make automation faster and more reliable. Example: A bot logs into an old accounting system, extracts customer data, and then uses an API to update a modern CRM—best of both worlds!    AI Agents Autonomous, learns from interactions, and makes decisions. Works with structured and unstructured data. Example: An AI-powered assistant understands customer queries, learns from past interactions, and automatically books meetings. For more insights on automation, subscribe to my newsletter 👉 https://lnkd.in/dpqw4WtS

🤖 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗲, 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 — 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵? AI training tool ads pop up in my LinkedIn feed daily. eLearnings done in minutes! Content created with a finger tip! Super fast, super creative… Our Infineon Technologies internal Digital Learning Solutions team in Porto (30 ‘human’ experts!) ran a pilot using current AI tools to create training videos. Here’s what we found: ✅ AI speeds up repetitive tasks such as audio synchronization, implementation of adjustments, creation of captions and helps generate quick, standardized content. ❌ When it comes to customization, creativity, and complex topics, including compliance and data sensitive contents, the results fall short. For training videos longer than three minutes, we found that the visuals and language become repetitive and generic. 🔑 The real value? Using AI selectively. For short, “commodity” trainings: yes. It’s a true game changer! For anything with broader interactivity, depth, need for internal context and culture ‘fit’: human expertise remains key. But it’s not either or – we consult our customers on both: pros and cons of using AI and discuss suitable use cases, when designing content. 📢 I’m curious: Have you tested AI in training development? What worked for you — and what didn’t? Julia Tronsberg António Sarmento Dias Liliana Pereira Jorge Botelho #digitallearning #learningsolutions #training #elearning #ai

Are we contributing to digital carbon waste at work without realizing it? When you think about sustainability, digital waste might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But in today’s hyper-connected world, it should be. Emails, unnecessary cloud storage, and always-on devices silently contribute to our carbon footprint. 🌱 As a sustainability professional, I’ve learned that small, thoughtful changes in the workplace can make a significant difference. Let me share a simple roadmap to kickstart the conversation and take action with your team: 1️⃣ Start with Awareness: 💬 Talk to your leader. Express your concern about digital waste and its impact on the planet. Suggest involving technology, HR, and sustainability teams to create a holistic plan. 📊 Educate your team. Hold a meeting to explain what digital waste is and why it matters. Use relatable examples and statistics to drive the point home. Did you know that storing 1GB of data in the cloud can produce about 2kg of CO2 annually? 2️⃣ Take Action Within Your Team: 🛠 Set clear objectives. Decide on specific, actionable goals, like reducing unnecessary emails, cleaning up shared drives, or limiting video call durations. 📈 Measure progress. Use tools or trackers to see how your efforts reduce digital waste over time. Share results to keep everyone motivated. 3️⃣ Scale the Effort: 🤝 Inspire others. Share your team’s success with other departments. Create workshops to engage them and grow the initiative. 📄 Propose inclusion in sustainability reports. Many companies already publish carbon footprint reports—why not add a section on reducing digital waste? This approach isn’t just about the numbers it’s about creating a shared sense of purpose. By working together, we can reduce the hidden costs of our digital habits and contribute to a greener future. In my experience, starting small but thinking big always pays off. Every file deleted, email avoided, and cloud folder organized matters. What steps is your organization taking to minimize its digital carbon footprint? 💡 Let’s start the conversation: #Sustainability #DigitalCarbonFootprint #Teamwork #GreenerFuture

Embrace the Invisible Office! In a world where 'location' has become a mere relic of the past, the traditional office space is rapidly metamorphosing into a virtual one. Unveiling a modern office that is invisible to the eye, but tangible in its impact. Remote work isn't about replicating the physical office in a digital space. It's about reimagining work in its most productive, flexible, and inclusive form. The best ideas for remote work? They transcend conventional wisdom and venture into the realm of innovative, yet practical solutions. 1. Asynchronous Communication: Let's break free from the shackles of time. Allow for responses when it's most convenient and productive, not just when it's 'office hours'. 2. Digital Nomadism: No more boundaries, just opportunities. Work from the mountains, the beach, the cafe, or the comfort of your home. 3. Wellness First: Mental health is not an afterthought, it's a priority. Regular digital detox, mindfulness sessions, and flexible schedules to prevent burnout. 4. Skill Enhancement: Learning doesn't stop at the office door. Invest in online courses, webinars, and virtual conferences to keep the team updated and engaged. 5. Virtual Watercooler: Foster a sense of community, even in the digital world. Casual chat rooms, virtual coffee breaks, and team-building games to maintain the human connection. Remember, remote work is not a challenge to overcome, but an opportunity to be seized. It's time we viewed the invisible office not as a temporary fix, but as the future of work. Let's not just adapt to remote work, let's redefine it. Share your unique remote work ideas and let's redefine the future of work together! #wellnesscoach

What if your contracts could execute themselves—no middlemen, no delays, no misunderstandings? I find smart contracts to be one of the most fascinating (and practical) blockchain innovations out there. They’re not just hype—they’re reshaping how agreements are made and kept. Here’s the idea: Smart contracts are self-executing agreements coded on the blockchain. When pre-defined conditions are met, the contract automatically executes. Imagine these use cases: 💰 Payment on Delivery: Money is released automatically when a shipment is confirmed. 🔑 Instant Access: Subscription verified? Access granted immediately, no manual check. 💸 Automatic Refunds: Deadlines missed? Refunds processed instantly—no back-and-forth emails. Why it matters: ✅ Eliminates intermediaries → Fewer fees, less friction ✅ Enforces terms automatically → No human error or loopholes ✅ Increases trust → Every step is transparent and tamper-proof Pro Tip: If you're exploring blockchain for your business, don’t stop at crypto. Think about how smart contracts can transform your procurement, subscriptions, or even HR onboarding. Personally, I see smart contracts as a huge step toward making business faster, more secure, and more transparent. But they do require thoughtful design—because code is only as good as the rules you write. What about you? Would you trust a contract that runs entirely on code? Drop your thoughts in the comments! And if you’re into exploring how tech can simplify and secure business, follow me for more. #SmartContracts #Blockchain #DigitalTransformation