Creating a Happy Hybrid Workplace
Many large enterprises witnessed a miracle during lockdown… From the ashes of a seemingly hopeless situation with employees unable to go to work, their workforce adapted and overcame. What seemed insurmountable changed, into not only a productive but successful remote workforce. It is undeniable that the pandemic has broken cultural and technological barriers that prevented remote work previously.
And now, as Hybrid Working becomes THE central issue with enterprises globally, this dynamic workforce wants to be involved in their new hybrid work reality – and they will not be dictated to. Recent insights from McKinsey highlight that 52% of workers want a more flexible working model post-pandemic.
We’ve already written about how choice and flexibility are key to creating a hybrid workforce that are motivated – and the arguments making headlines right now come from a perceived lack of one or both of these elements. Just this week, Apple employees have launched a campaign to push back against Tim Cook’s plans for a widespread return to the office. Facebook has previously been criticized for “forcing” contractors back into the office…
Using Technology to Ensure Human Connection
In order to support the workforce in their choice to work remotely, we need to adopt the technology that supports this. We put up with Zoom calls and ongoing technical problems as we were in a crisis, but to come out of it strong organisations now need to do two things:
- Embrace the hybrid workplace
- Adopt the technology already available that makes it simple to connect
Connection in the workplace has never been more important than right now and technology plays a crucial role in enabling this. Video conferencing has never been so important – but whilst video conferencing apps such as Zoom calls allow us to see facial reactions and provide us with a sense of how a meeting is going, studies are already showing that these meetings are unnatural and cause stress and fatigue, so they must not continue long term.
Evaluate your workspace to ensure it’s ready for your new flexible working model. Look at the network infrastructure and connections. You are likely to have accelerated tech’ adoption to allow for business continuity but what do you have in place to be able to collaborate in person and foster spontaneous collaboration the way that the office did before? We know how important it is to connect and communicate, so now we need to provide a seamless integration for those working in other offices or at home.
Video Window is technology’s answer to fostering meaningful relationships between colleagues unable to work side-by-side. It is “always-on” so colleagues can see each other when they need each other, without scheduling or logging on – as easily as though they are looking through a window into another office. It’s not just designed for your desk or meeting room, but common areas of the workspace, where people used to chat whilst passing through.
Of course Video Window allows for meetings, whiteboarding, integration with other apps and all the other functions you would expect but it’s much more than a video conferencing solution. Video Window is much like Googles “Project Starlight” (except it was invented a while back, is already working for organisations across the globe and is affordable!) providing that “magic window” which truly allows you to connect with people, human-to-human, no matter where you are.