Collaboration, Connection
Hybrid work - The trend here to stay.
When the 'normal way' of working was disrupted, each organization set out to rethink, develop and improve a 'new normal' work setting that would work for them. It took some trial and error before many people discovered the hybrid work setting, which has since been considered the 'new normal" that many organizations are striving to adopt. According to a report by Accenture, 83% of employees preferred a hybrid work model. The benefits reported from the work setting included a better work-life balance, improved mental health, and stronger work relations. There was a better quality of work output due to the freedom of being productive anywhere. Exposure to new technologies was positively acknowledged because it led to accountability and innovations.
A hybrid workplace is a working model that allows employees to work both remotely and in the office. It integrates virtual and physical offices and empowers employees to work from anywhere they are most productive but also physically present to foster team spirit and culture.
For companies to successfully adapt this model, the first question they should solve is, What makes hybrid work, work? Two key factors to incorporate in a hybrid work setting to be successful include;
1. Collaboration
This is an important recipe in ensuring hybrid work, works. Unlike an office setup where collaboration was spontaneous, hybrid productive collaborations have to be designed deliberately. Collaboration empowers employees to contribute and communicate equally, regardless of location, role, experience level, language, or device preference.
2. Right Technology
The right technology is critical in determining whether hybrid work model will succeed. Organizations are charged with selecting the right technology that will foster achieving the goals, objectives, and, most saliently, collaboration. This technology should include components that will benefit both employees and clients.
While choosing the right technology, it is imperative to identify techniques, behaviors, and technologies that help employees feel at ease, happy, and wholesome. Employees are more productive and engaged when they feel better, so it's critical to provide tools and programs that help reduce stress and fatigue while improving well-being. These behaviors and trends could include incorporating meeting rooms in different settings allowing people to get up and move around, encouraging employees to block time in their calendars for specific tasks, meeting prep, or simply thinking. You may also want to rely more heavily on asynchronous communication tools to give employees more flexibility with their work hours.
Incentro Africa is an expert in transforming the way organizations work by providing the right collaborative tools and technology. We help organizations deploy strategies and technologies to make work settings successful.
To further understand hybrid work model, and how to manage and make it a success, we have a long running partnership with Google and Digicloud to bring you more tips on how to achieve this with the right collaboration solution, Google Workspace.
Register here.
