Digitalization: Inspiring employees to benefit

Crafts 4.0: Digitalization means much more than just implementing new technology. A particularly important component is the company's own employees. But how can skilled trades businesses inspire their own team to embrace digitalization?

This article is part of the special feature on digital craftsmanship.

Targeted digitalization allows craft businesses to simplify or automate processes . However, this isn't a one-size-fits-all solution: the team that will ultimately use the technology in their daily work needs to be on board. Therefore, a sensitive approach is crucial from the outset when implementing digitalization measures . Often, individual team members harbor vague anxieties , such as fears of change , being overwhelmed , or losing control . Employees also frequently fear losing their jobs in the medium term if technology takes over routine tasks. This can quickly hinder digitalization within a company.

To prevent such anxieties from arising in the first place, business owners should involve their team early on and inspire enthusiasm for the planned digitalization steps . This works best when each employee sees the benefits for their own daily work. The understanding should take hold that technology is not a labor-intensive enemy or competitor – but rather a valuable support . For example, more relaxed work is often possible because tedious and routine tasks are eliminated. Employees then have more time for other tasks and can focus more intensely on their work.

Digitalization takes time

Digitizing overnight is usually not a good idea: To prevent overwhelming their employees, managers shouldn't overhaul all workflows at once . It's much more advisable to introduce small changes and improvements gradually . Maintaining open communication with employees is crucial: Which digitization steps have proven successful? Where are the problems? And where is fine-tuning still needed to achieve optimal processes?

If individual employees didn't grow up with digital technology and are worried they won't understand how to use it, the company should offer sufficient support . This could include targeted training , online tutorials , videos , and, in everyday work, support from the entire team . When employees support each other and no one is afraid to voice their difficulties, digitalization becomes a team experience from which everyone benefits.

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Allay employee concerns

Employees often fear that digitalization will lead to increased control – for example, through digital time tracking tools or order management systems . Managers should address these concerns before implementation. The use of digital tools primarily means an end to the analog "paperwork chaos," allowing employees to spend less time on organizational tasks. At the same time, paperwork can no longer get lost, and fewer errors occur.

In general, managers should take sufficient time to discuss digitalization measures with their team, not only before implementation but also later during ongoing operations . It can sometimes take several weeks for new processes to become established. Therefore, each employee should be allowed to learn the processes at their own pace. When the team realizes over time that digitalization not only makes sense for the company but also simplifies their own daily work , initial skeptics will quickly become enthusiasts.

Business leaders shouldn't underestimate the time required to implement digital processes . Only when all employees are convinced of the advantages of digitalization and actively participate can the entire team benefit . For most businesses, this investment of time is worthwhile – because the process usually results in increased employee satisfaction and productivity.

Checklists

Employee benefits through digitalization

Depending on the planned digitalization measures and individual areas of application, various advantages arise for employees:

1. Greater efficiency: Employees can complete tasks faster with digital support.
2. More flexibility: With the right applications and tools, employees enjoy maximum flexibility in their work. In some areas, working from home may be possible for a limited time.
3. Better communication: With digital tools, employees stay in better contact and benefit from rapid data and information exchange. This promotes collaboration and problem-solving skills across the entire team.
4. Easy organization: In a paperless office, all information is quickly accessible – even on the go. Unlike analog documents in file folders, digital information can be found in seconds using a keyword search.
5. Greater future security: Digitalized craft businesses operate more efficiently. Thus, planned measures are not only a crucial building block for the future security of your own business, but also for every job.

Attracting employees to digitalization

1. Gain support: Every team has unofficial leaders who are valued by everyone. Try to win these employees over as supporters of your digitalization plans. This often leads to faster team buy-in.
2. Inform employees: Before planning any measures, sit down with your entire team and inform them about your digitalization plans and specific goals. Pay attention to their reactions: Are there reservations, misunderstandings, or fears? Try to openly discuss and resolve all questions with your team.
3. Survey your team's needs: Involve your team by allowing each employee to express their desires for digitalization processes. Where do employees want digital support? Which tasks are time-consuming? Are there any analog weaknesses? Which processes are currently causing high costs?
4. Highlight the benefits: Discuss with each individual employee the advantages they will gain from individual digitalization measures. How will their work change—and what will they have more time for in the future? Also emphasize that there will be no layoffs.
5. Define steps: Establish individual, small steps for the digitalization measures. Allow enough time between each step for each employee to adjust to the situation and develop new routines.
6. Organize onboarding: Which employees require further training or special training to use new hardware and software? Depending on their previous knowledge, different measures may be necessary to bring team members up to speed. Discuss with each employee what type of support they would like, such as continuing education, online tutorials, or videos.
7. Evaluate success: After implementing individual measures, you should regularly analyze efficiency with your team. What's working well—and where is there still room for fine-tuning?
8. Observe laws: Always consider all applicable laws, such as the GDPR, when implementing digitalization projects.

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