The workplace is evolving, with hybrid and remote models becoming more visible across the economy. Coworkers logging in from home or collaborating with colleagues across the globe lean on tools to stay connected and productive. For software companies specializing in workplace management, this shift has created a booming opportunity to simplify the way teams communicate, plan, and get work done.

Six in 10 Americans believe that strong connections are essential for success, according to Empower research. To meet this need, a growing segment of software companies is making workplace communication smoother and more efficient. These tools streamline processes, centralize feedback, and help teams stay on top of deadlines and schedules.

Asana, an enterprise software company, has tapped into this demand with tools designed to simplify internal workflows. Its recent third-quarter earnings of $183.9 million in revenue led to a 45% surge in its stock price.¹ This growth was bolstered by the launch of AI Studio, a feature that allows teams to collaborate with intelligent agents — advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools capable of tackling complex tasks without requiring users to write any code.

The rise of AI in workplace tools is changing how businesses operate. Experts predict that by 2028, at least 15% of daily business decisions will be handled autonomously by AI-powered agents.²

Monday.com, another major player in the collaboration software market, is seeing similar momentum. The company’s stock jumped 25.3% in 2024, driven by strong adoption among enterprise clients.³ Its latest earnings report highlighted a 44% growth in customers with over $100,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR).⁴ This milestone builds on a landmark achievement from earlier in the year when Monday.com surpassed $1 billion in ARR.⁵

Streamlining to boost productivity

Workers are increasingly open to adopting new tools for both their current jobs and future career paths. Half of American workers (50%) say that automation, including AI, has improved their professional skills, and 48% believe it opens doors to new career opportunities.⁶

When it comes to efficiency, the U.S. workforce appears to be hitting its stride. The U.S. Labor Department uses productivity metrics to measure how much the average worker can accomplish in an hour. In the third quarter of 2024, productivity jumped 2% compared with the same time the previous year, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of growth at this pace.⁷

Keeping workers engaged

With the U.S. unemployment rate holding steady at 4.1% as of December 2024, opportunities remain abundant, according to the most recent labor-market data. In November 2024 alone, there were 8.1 million openings, with a notable increase of 259,000 from the prior month. Growth was particularly strong in small businesses and professional sectors.⁸

Despite the robust job market, Americans are showing a tendency to stay put. Data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) revealed that the job-quitting rate fell to 1.9% in November, down from 2.1% the previous month.⁹

When it comes to keeping employees happy, salary tops the wish list. The majority of Americans (67%) say money is the biggest driver of job satisfaction, according to Empower findings.

U.S. companies are projected to maintain salary increase budgets at an average of 3.7%, same as last year.¹⁰

But it’s not only about the paycheck. Engaged employees are less likely to jump ship: Research indicates that workers who feel connected and valued are more likely to turn down a new job, compared to those who feel disengaged. Tools that streamline daily tasks and reduce workplace friction are proving vital in helping employers retain their top talent.¹¹