Digital Culture

In today’s dynamic society, culture has evolved over the years from primitive to digital. Communication and culture both have a large effect in the workplace which allows others to gain access to information on a scale we have never seen or experienced before. Throughout the last couple of decades different communication forms have taken place in the workplace, from traditional print, presentations, magazines and newspapers.  Now in our present day, our communications occur through digital forms and platforms such as Google, Facebook, and what we’ve dubbed the ‘sharing economy’. Technology has largely impacted our cultural perception which allows people to create different perceptions of themselves or their business.

The digital environment that we are now surrounded by has meant that a new culture has emerged; one that is prevalent in all workplaces in the developed world. Digital culture is here and it’s here to stay. It has completely changed the way we interact, communicate, and gain knowledge. The culture has shifted providing us with the ability to easily interact no matter where people are or what time zones they’re in. The digital age has provided almost everyone with a global platform, which means borders are becoming less and less of a barrier. Traditional business models such as Blockbuster are now obsolete as everyone gets their visual entertainment through the Internet and smart TVs. Sharing business models, such as Airbnb, are experiencing exponential growth and traditional hotel formats are suffering.

It’s not just new business models which are emerging from the digital culture, but new ways of communicating as well. The need to speak with people face-to-face is diminishing as programs like Google Hangouts and Skype make it easier for people to speak with and see each other, without ever needing to be in the same room.  While some may argue the positive and negative results this has created, there is no denying that change and one’s ability to adapt to these changes is a good precursor to successful digital culture integration. Workplaces which have embraced these changes are finding more streamlined ways to ensure better and faster communication, which means a more efficient workplace.

Social networks have drastically changed our lifestyles and how we communicate. CEO of Agility, Tarek Sultan, states that, “54 percent of companies say they actively use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other tools to engage their workforce, customers and other stakeholders”.  It used to be common practice, for example, for people to simply network via handing out business cards and phone numbers. This of course still happens today, however we also have tools such as LinkedIn to thank for taking networking into the digital realm. These business social platforms allow users to view someone’s profile and be able to come to a conclusion immediately as to whether this person is a good fit for their network. Ten years ago when meeting a person it took time to understand who they were as a person, who their friends were, who they worked with, what clubs or memberships they were a part of; now, we can see all of this and more at the click of a button.

 Digital culture has evolved into one of the most powerful tools in the world, providing significant changes in how people interact with work. From a workplace perspective, within SponsoredLinX, where digital integration and adoption has provided a business framework that continues to grow and evolve, I can truly attest to the fact that working within a digital workplace that has embraced digital culture is highly liberating. The one truly great benefit that embracing a digital culture has enabled SponsoredLinX to do is the freedom of enabling people to create, find, and use their knowledge and networks in new and innovative ways.

Interested in joining Australia’s leading online marketing provider? Visit the SponsoredLinX Careers page at http://www.sponsoredlinx.com.au/our-google-gurus/about-sponsoredlinx/ today!

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