A decade ago, nobody could have concretely imagined concepts like AI or hybrid workplaces but today, companies are met with the important question: how can we create meaningful spaces of communication and collaboration in the changing faces of working environments?
Technology has come a long way in providing solutions for companies to support its various functions. While it is not the only solution, it acts as the catalyst companies need to transition into the emerging new world order.
The metaverse is one such aspect of the technological revolution we are seeing today. It has the potential to join forces with every aspect of our workplaces, including the HR department. The term ‘metaverse’ was coined by Neal Stephenson in his novel ‘Snow Crash’ in 1992, where a virtual-reality setup replaced the internet. To understand its importance in modern usage, individuals are replaced by digital depictions in a virtual world, allowing people to come together regardless of their location or time zone.
With the rise of AI and Big Data, companies are beginning to adopt the metaverse into their operations, to improve their functioning. When you consider the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and its travel limitations, the metaverse becomes a strong tool to bridge the physical boundaries between people. It opens up a space for companies to develop game-changing ideas and smoother operations.
What can the metaverse do?
But the ability to do so is just one aspect of what the metaverse can do. One of the other aspects of it is the capacity to look into resource allocation and employment. A good HR would plan strategically for the future of its workforce, in terms of management and planning. Once an HR comprehends the power of the metaverse, it would not only improve the functioning of the workspace but also cut down on the losses companies have faced during the pandemic with remote work.
At the same time, the metaverse would prove useful in employee inductions, information sharing, aptitude tests, employee training, performance reviews, team building, company events, and more. It provides a space for an immersive work environment, where the tasks of a physical workspace can easily be replicated in virtual reality.
How can the metaverse be used?
What if the metaverse enters the HR space? How will it impact your workplace? Let’s understand the implications of a metaverse in your company’s HR space through this article.
Increased productivity
The metaverse allows people to telecommunicate, where one can conduct their daily activities within the space. Be it meetings, live conferences, or client engagement, this technology has an impact on communications that otherwise take ages to establish. Moreover, organizations can manage their workforce more efficiently, as the metaverse allows for seamless communication channels.
Enhanced recruitments
The metaverse can also be applied to your company’s recruitment processes. Organizations will no longer be restricted by geographical boundaries. HRs can look for talent across the globe, or at least within their countries. By usage of this technology, candidates applying can learn about the company’s working culture and see for themselves, its efficiency of it while applying.
Learning and Development
The metaverse has the promise to transform the learning and development outcomes for employees. Organizations can use the virtual space to create opportunities for employees to take part in remote training sessions. The use of the metaverse for onboarding and training will give learners a chance to obtain hands-on work experiences like problem-solving and customer experiences. It gives employees a set of transferrable skills that are essential for their career progression.
Performance Management and Rewards
Should HR design an AI-driven process to collaborate between stakeholders, the metaverse can set up a continuous feedback mechanism for employees, which can lead to improved employee performance. Furthermore, the same AI-driven mechanism can be programmed to incorporate digital rewards, that will be rewarded on the basis of past performances, needs, et al.
New Skills
As AI takes over mundane tasks, insights to drive the technology will become crucial for organizations. The metaverse will need unique human skills to enhance its progression. It opens avenues for various new roles like designers for digital depictions, and digital travel agents to make easy communications across different metaverses, security officers, developers, and more. It opens companies up to new talent and profits in the longer run.
In an era of rapid technological progress, the metaverse is a significant breakthrough and can be extremely useful for various organizations. If HR prepares itself to optimize the metaverse now itself, it stands a greater chance to reap its benefits in the future, when virtual reality becomes the new workplace norm.
Also read: Artificial Intelligence, Human Brilliance – Co-work for Better Outcomes
An interesting read on Metaverse supporting Mental Health
