My work and the digital tools
I work as an Account Manager in the field of corporate finance. There are quite strict regulations on which applications or digital tools we can use in our work due to privacy regulations and data protection. My work is highly digital because I use approximately 5 to 10 CRM-systems daily, and 5 to 10 different Microsoft Office applications as well. The banking industry is evolving, also in terms of digital tools we use. It would be desirable to use not that many applications but it seems that the number of applications has increased in recent years. From my experience, it is very typical that we use two similar CRM-systems at the same time. Old applications are still functional but many of them are not possible to develop anymore. So, when we get a new application, we must use both the old and the new at the same time until the new one meets all the requirements and we are able to abandon the old one.
The most used Microsoft Office tools in my work are Outlook, Teams, Copilot, Excel, Word and PowerPoint. When it comes to internal systems, I mainly use 2-3 CRM-systems for corporate customers and private customers. Besides that, I use own systems for loan management, collaterals and money transactions.
Potential social media tools in my work
Social media platforms do not play a central role in my work. I must also admit that I have been a bit lazy to explore new social media platforms in recent years. So, many of the social media tools are quite unfamiliar to me that are listed in the assignment. However, there are five potential tools listed below:
- Todoist. This social media tool could be very potential in everyday life management. I recognize that my everyday life can be chaotic at times, so Todoist could help to plan my calendar better. I used to plan my work using Outlook-calendar, but Todoist could be more comprehensive tool.
- Pi. I already use Microsoft Copilot in my work, but Pi looks to be an interesting option. Pi looks more personal than Copilot and if I understood correctly, Pi remembers its user. However, all the applications that we use must be allowed by the company, so it is not possible to start using Pi immediately.
- Monday. I recognize that Microsoft Teams and its tools are not the best option when we are having different projects at work. In my opinion, projects usually lack tools that help with planning and management. For example, we use Microsoft Excel as a project tool in some cases. Monday seems to be visually appealing and its design is clear.
- Linkedin. I’m a bit lazy to use social media channels but I should use Linkedin more. Our company is very active on social media, and it encourages employees to share content on Linkedin. As far as I’m concerned, it is professionally important to stay up-to-updated on trends, local business scene and what other banks are doing. Linkedin is also a great place to highlight your own expertise.
- Miro. Miro could be a useful tool for planning. To my mind, the best thing about Miro is simplicity. Miro application is easy to use, and besides that, it allows multiple users to edit worksheets at the same time.
Pros and cons of social media
Social media makes it possible to distribute information fast, and it has an undeniable ability to connect with people. In my work Microsoft Teams, for example, has a key role. It enables us to work remotely, share information, hold meetings and communicate internally.
Social media tools offer also banks a new way to communicate with customers. Applications like Linkedin, Tiktok and Facebook are new ways to create content for customers. Through social media, it is possible to post news, updates and tips for customers. Social media can even boost customer loyalty.
However, there are also some negative aspects on social media. Social media can be occasionally waste of time, and it can interfere with work. The amount of information in social media is massive, so it can be difficult to find the most important and the best quality data. Social media solutions can even create inequality in workplaces because not everyone is familiar with social media tools. It is also difficult to activate every participant in remote meetings and understand their emotions.
Social media is also very difficult to handle. Unpleasant customer experiences can spread rapidly on social media channels and damage company’s reputation. It is also important for companies to have their own strategy for social media, so it is clear what kind of content companies share and how they react to negative feedback on social media channels.
Unfortunately, social media is also a popular channel for cybercriminals. Therefore, it is important for banks to make clear to customers that social media channels are not customer service channels and banks never ask for personal details on social media.
A successful digital tool
When it comes to banking sector, a successful digital tool improves internal efficiency and customer experience. There is also no denying the fact that data security is at the center of everything. Digital tools should save time and enhance the flow of work.
A successful digital tool also suits the needs of organization. Digital tools should not be implemented just because rivals do. It is important that digital tools are carefully designed for company’s requirements, and tools can really provide a competitive advantage.
As far as I’m concerned, it is also only an advantage if the new digital tool can be integrated with existing systems. If the new digital tool is just another application among the others, it might be more difficult to implement it among all employees.
It is also important that digital tools are easy to use. If the employees feel the new system is complicated, it may reduce learning motivation rapidly. From my point of view, it is important to utilize user-centered design before and after implementation. By this way, digital tools can be designed user-friendly.
Self-evaluation
The assignment inspired me to study different kinds of social media tools, and their applicability to my own work. Many of the social media tools faced in this task were new to me. As far as I’m concerned, there are several social media tools that could help my work, especially in work planning. However, it is very regulated what applications we can use in our work and what kind of information we can share on them.
Like in previous assignments, it was eye-opening to read experiences from other fields and from other nations. After this assignment, I feel a bit more aware of opportunities that social media offers. I am also able to evaluate risks of social media.