We have all heard the phrase ‘Work smarter, not harder’. However, have businesses ever truly put it to the test? 2020 brought us lockdowns, office building doors were closed with no sign of reopening. This forced companies to change the way in which we work, and many office-based employees were asked to work from home for the foreseeable. As lockdowns eased, companies began to question the effectiveness of the ‘pre-Covid office’ as many valued the flexibilities that the new hybrid working offered. Soon enough there was a global debate regarding the future of remote working with business leaders citing productivity concerns.
A new study by the Texas A&M University School of Public Health found that remote working has improved employee productivity among most employees who have spent at least part of the last few years working outside of the office. In addition to this, Gallup reported that engagement was highest among workers who spend three to four days working remotely.
Evidence also exists to show hybrid work arrangements can contribute to increased organisational productivity. It is probable that, between the higher engagement and increased productivity of remote work, off-site workers offer leaders the greatest gains in business outcomes. Gallup approximated that the switch to work remotely three days a week could save businesses $4 million annually.
This poses the question: is hybrid working the future of working smarter? And if so, what do companies need to do to ensure that their workforce is fully equipped?
Bridging the home office to the HQ
The home office is an extension of the corporate office. In the hybrid workplace, it’s more important than ever that people can work from anywhere with access to tools that support productivity and collaboration. Employees who work remotely, or switch between home and the office, need to be enabled with collaboration software and purpose-built devices to ensure high-quality teamwork and a seamless experience wherever they are.
Networking
At a minimum, a business adopting remote working should be using cloud-based systems such as software-as-a-service (SaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS), and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS). These will make it easier and more efficient for your staff to work consistently from multiple locations.
Before a cloud migration, IT teams must ensure existing storage architectures are ready for the move. IT teams should evolve their network toward flatter, one- or two-tier designs, and implement new network security tools that can establish and enforce user policies.
Also, evaluate network segmentation to give each business unit the specific resources it needs, and look for networking gear that optimises traffic based on workload type. Some traditional technologies for segmentation included internal firewalls, and Access Control List (ACL) and Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) configurations on networking equipment. However, these approaches are costly and difficult.
Today, software-defined access technology simplifies segmentation by grouping and tagging network traffic. It then uses traffic tags to enforce segmentation policy directly on the network equipment, yet without the complexity of traditional approaches.
Cloud infrastructure management services
Gartner reported that by 2022, 50 percent of mission-critical applications will reside on public clouds. Even after a successful migration to the cloud, the work for IT teams doesn't stop. Admins must effectively monitor performance, security, and other aspects of their infrastructure as a service deployment using new management frameworks. Software such as Cisco cloud-neutral solutions and full-stack observability let you see and manage your infrastructure and applications so you can connect securely, optimise operations, and improve application experience. The businesses that emerge stronger from the pandemic are the ones that are thinking strategically, with a long-term vision for the future of work. Building the foundation for the hybrid workplace in the first phases will ensure that your business is well positioned to adjust and excel in the years to come.
Intelligent technology
According to Cisco 96% of remote workers want to improve their work environments with intelligent workplace technology.’ However, 98% of people experience frustration with video conferencing while working from home
Providing remote workers with the right technology and ensuring a safe return to the office are essential to business continuity. Virtual collaboration powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can provide an even better experience than in-person meetings, but it takes the right tools. While many businesses believe a laptop is good enough, it is apparent that immersive experiences matter. The most important choice for powering remote teams is choosing the right collaboration platform.
When looking for the right solution, consider the experience:
- Can people easily switch between messaging, calling, and meetings?
- If a whiteboard is created, can it be accessed by the entire team, anywhere?
- Can people expect the same experience from technology whether they are at home or in the office?
- Are there AI capabilities that reduce distractions, remove friction, capture action items, and provide the information people need when they need it?
Intelligent workplace technology can vastly improve the collaboration experience. From AI-powered noise suppression to dedicated collaboration devices that untether the meeting experience from the laptop, the home office is no longer a second-rate work option. Intelligent workplace solutions from the Webex® platform supports the modern workforce. From the home office to the boardroom, displays, sensors, AI, and automation deliver technology-driven experiences and accelerate transformation to keep workers safe and productive.
Adapt to evolve
Evidence shows that if executed correctly then, incorporating hybrid working into a workplace strategy can improve work-life balance, boost engagement and productivity, driving innovation and growth.
Research from Owl Labs found that remote and hybrid employees were 22% happier than workers in an onsite office environment and stayed in their jobs longer. Businesses should look to reassure leaders that employees who spend some time off-site will not suffer losses in their engagement and that there will be performance improvements that go with it.
Even though the situations we face will continue to evolve, it is clear what people want now and in the future. They want technology to help them throughout their day. They want to connect to the company and the culture. They want flexibility. The hybrid workplace is the route to extending flexibility while providing technology-driven experiences. The workplace is now limitless; wherever you are — it is your home office, it is on the go, and it’s the flexibility to choose where and how you want to work.
Reach out to our Cisco team to find out more.