Also in the news...
Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)
For visa or citizenship applications, you may need to prove your knowledge of English by passing a secure English language test (SELT).
UK and Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership arrangement
The Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) sets out the UK and Nigeria’s priorities for future discussion and cooperation.
Export to the UK: guidance for African businesses
Find out about UK markets and sectors, trade agreements, UK import regulations and taxes, and support for African businesses from the UK government.
Guidance Start exporting to Africa
Find out about market opportunities, trade partnership agreements, support from the UK government, and export regulations and taxes in African countries.
Guidance Start investing in African businesses
Find out about investment opportunities and support from the UK government. Learn how to manage risk, invest ethically, and access guidance on African countries.
How Smart Cities Around the World Impact Workplace Trends
As the world becomes increasingly dependent on technology for efficiency and success, a report by IDC shows an estimated two-thirds of global cities will be investing in smart city technology by up to $135 billion by 2021.
As cities around the world are set to transform into ‘smart cities’, John Williams, Head of Marketing at Instant Offices, looks into what smart workplace trends are emerging from these innovation hubs.
The National League of Cities (NLC) has analysed how technological
advances in smart cities could potentially impact jobs and skills, showing
The World’s Smartest Cities
Singapore:
ABI’s Smart Cities Competitive Assessment report has named Singapore as the
world’s leading smart city. The innovative city is pioneering several projects
to address high-density urban living and is also home to futuristic driverless
taxis and shuttles.
Dubai:
The ultra-modern city of Dubai was ranked second, noted for its adoption of
disruptive next-gen technologies. Dubai is leading the way when it comes to
crypto technology, with all government transactions set to be processed via
blockchain by 2030.
London:
The English capital has been placed third, thanks to its advanced open data
policies and thriving start-up ecosystem
Top Smart Office Trends for 2019
As smart cities are shaping the future of work, here are the leading workplace trends for 2019 and beyond:
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device):
Many businesses are now allowing a BYOD policy, which means employees can use their own personal tablets, smartphones, laptops and wearable tech to complete their tasks and send work-related communications.
According to research by Techjury, 67%of employees say they now use personal devices at work, and 87% of businesses rely on their workers’ access to mobile business apps. By allowing workers to take their favourite at-home tech and integrate it into daily work life, they will be able to work remotely in more efficient ways.
Focus on Wellness:
Workplace wellness is a growing trend. Employers are recognising the
dangers of overworking, presenteeism, work addiction and
burnout. In the US, 70-80% of companies believe that wellness programmes reduce
absenteeism and boost productivity
For example, wearable devices like Fitbit and Jawbone allow employees to monitor their stats, from steps taken to calorie consumption to heart rate. This can empower them to take control of their health and practice better wellness habits daily. Smart offices can also make use of collected data from wearable devices by analysing it to identify potential health risks in their workplace.
Cybersecurity:
As the wireless technology and BYOD trends continue to rise, the need for advanced security tech rises with them. More data is being stored on the cloud, and if that data isn’t secured correctly, companies risk losing or leaking a lot of sensitive information.
A recent US review by SHRM found that nearly half of organisations surveyed (46%) are now usingbiometric authenticationtech to protect data on smartphones. Flexible offices with excellent network security, a choice of shared and private workspaces, and round-the-clock on-premises security offerings are helping companies to operate in a safer and more secure environment.
Sectors Benefiting from Smart Office Space
Smart workplace solutions improve productivity and make it easier for teams to complete their daily tasks, using state-of-the-art tech to make the process smoother.
IT companies, design studios and web development businesses can all benefit from a fully serviced and connected setup. Beyond office life, those working in labs and research facilities can operate safely with excellent security and data protection. Even warehousing and manufacturing are transforming as companies like Amazon and Boeing harness the power of IoT technology.