Why companies should optimize for the needs of knowledge workers

At Dropbox, we’re focused on building products that solve real problems for our users. To do that, we conduct a lot of research on how people work and collaborate. Through our own research and secondary sources, we see how people are learning to use technology to work together more effectively.

The rise of automation

Digital technology and automation has been changing the way we work for decades. What started with calculators and personal computers has become much more pervasive. Machine learning and robots can now manipulate data and physical objects in increasingly sophisticated ways. But this doesn’t mean we’re all going to be replaced by machines. Jobs that require social and creative intelligence, often categorized as knowledge work, are unlikely to be automated anytime soon.

The value of human skills

Knowledge workers use information to solve problems, collaborate, create, and make decisions. They’re software developers, scientific researchers, event planners, graphic designers, and more. Knowledge workers are becoming hot commodities as automation redefines the job market. To stay competitive, companies looking to hire them need to create working environments that energize prospective employees. In the infographic below, we take a deeper look at knowledge work. The insights here can help your business become a magnet for the most sought-after talent—and keep you at the front of the pack.