Investing in people over automation: A Q&A with Sasha Thackaberry

Despite U.S. worker productivity growing faster (3.2% rate) than expected in the fourth quarter of 2023, business leaders continue to face challenges – such as the advancement of tech innovations like AI  – that all points to increasing productivity as we close out the first quarter of 2024.  Employers should be investing in their people by offering learning and development opportunities like AI skills training.

So says Dr. Sasha Thackaberry, SVP of Wave and D2L for Business at D2L. Below Dr. Thackaberry discusses the perfect combination of tech and employees.

What challenges do business leaders face when it comes to worker productivity?

The biggest challenge employers face when it comes to worker productivity is low employee engagement. A recent Gallup survey found that in 2023, only 33% of U.S. employees said they were engaged in their work and workplace – down from 40% who said the same in June of 2020. There are multiple contributing factors to this downward trend. Internal organizational issues include unclear expectations, low levels of satisfaction within their organization, and less human connection as reasons for their disengagement. But more personal factors play a role, too – like poor work-life balance, and the lack of clarity about career growth and trajectory. The latter is exacerbated when there’s a lack of upskilling or learning opportunities that can help workers see a future for themselves.

What is the correlation between employee engagement and productivity?

There is evidence to show that more engaged employees are more productive. The same Gallup survey found an 18% bump in productivity amongst salespeople who were more engaged, for instance. Engaged employees are more likely to feel valued and motivated to do good work. They’re also less likely to experience burnout, which can translate to higher retention rates, better workplace morale and a more positive corporate culture overall. Engagement doesn’t guarantee happiness, but it helps.

How can employers keep employees engaged?

Keep them learning – but align skills development to career growth. A 2024 survey showed that only 29% said that previous professional development they’d taken were effective in helping them achieve career goals. That’s a recipe for disengagement, especially for younger workers. Offering the right training and skills development opportunities does more than build careers and contribute to personal growth – it also strengthens organizations by creating more motivated and knowledgeable workers.

How can investing in employees help organizations gain an advantage in today’s workforce versus investing in new tech like automation tools?

Not engaged or actively disengaged employees cost about $1.9 trillion in lost productivity. But, instead of simply trying to replace job skills with new tech – whether via automation or AI – businesses and leaders can invest in both. Workers who are trained to work with new technology are likely to increase productivity even more than new technology alone. This is empowering for workers, as they will become more adept at navigating new challenges, and more likely to see a positive future for themselves within a world of rapidly changing technology.

Related: Advancing with AI: How employers can maintain a competitive workforce

How does investing in people over automation yield higher productivity?

It’s important to remember this isn’t an either-or equation. You can invest in people and tech at the same time. But what’s key is that investing in people will make them more effective at leveraging technology to improve business outcomes. A more agile and skilled workforce will be better prepared to not only manage changes in technology but also adapt with less disruption. People, alongside machines, will move you forward.