High-performing businesses not only master AI but also do these things

AI adoption and human-centered innovation drive high-performing businesses: A recent Upwork survey reveals that leading organizations are leveraging artificial intelligence while focusing on workforce development and cultural transformation to outpace their competitors.

Key findings on high-performing companies: The Upwork Research Institute identified a subset of businesses consistently outperforming their peers, exhibiting greater confidence in their future and higher satisfaction with financial performance.

• 27% of surveyed companies were classified as high performers, showing twice the confidence in their organization’s future compared to others.
• These companies averaged a 32-point higher satisfaction rate in their financial performance.
• High performers reported 30% lower operating expenses than their counterparts.

AI adoption and workforce readiness: The survey highlights a significant gap between AI implementation and employee preparedness across all organizations.

• Nearly half (46%) of respondents indicated that only 25% or less of their workforce is ready to work alongside AI.
• A similar proportion of employees were reported to possess AI skills.

Distinctive approaches of high performers: Leading companies differentiate themselves through their strategic focus on workforce development and technology integration.

• 63% of high performers prioritize workforce upskilling during technology implementation, compared to 37% of other companies.
• 38% of high-performing organizations concentrate on the convergence and integration of new technologies, versus 23% of their peers.

Optimizing human-driven processes: Top companies leverage AI and automation to enhance efficiency and flexibility in resource management.

• High performers focus on reducing manual labor costs through AI-based technology and automation.
• This approach allows them to scale resources more effectively in response to changing demands.

Aligning technology with business growth: Leading organizations emphasize the importance of integrating new technologies with existing infrastructure.

• High performers conduct thorough assessments of their current technology stacks to identify gaps and opportunities for integration.
• They create roadmaps for aligning technologies cohesively, avoiding the pitfalls of chasing “shiny new objects” without proper consideration.

Embracing emerging technologies: Forward-thinking companies maintain awareness of the evolving tech landscape beyond AI.

• Upwork platform data shows growing demand for skills in robotics and Internet of Things technologies, with job postings tripling since 2020.
• High performers are more advanced in cloud computing adoption compared to their counterparts.

Human-centric approach to technology adoption: Leading organizations prioritize employee engagement and support throughout the technology implementation process.

• 89% of high performers strive to keep employees informed about the benefits and impacts of technology adoption, compared to 76% of underperformers.
• 92% solicit employee feedback throughout the process, versus 71% of other companies.
• 90% build robust training and support resources, compared to 74% of underperformers.
• 90% celebrate milestones and successes related to tech adoption, versus 76% of other organizations.

Cultural transformation and innovation: High-performing companies foster a culture that embraces change and unlocks employee potential.

• These organizations are prepared to restructure operations and jobs to integrate technological efficiencies.
• They create a unified operating model that combines technology adoption with distributed and flexible work practices.

Broader implications: The Upwork survey underscores the importance of viewing disruptions as opportunities for reinvention and proactive evolution in work methods.

• Organizations that embrace internal transformation in response to external challenges are better positioned to thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape.
• The findings suggest that a balanced approach, combining AI adoption with human-centered innovation and cultural transformation, is key to achieving sustained high performance in today’s competitive environment.