The new hybrid work environment comes with its share of challenges, but the business that can navigate them will find themselves reaping considerable benefits. That includes times and resources saved, a happier workforce, and the flexibility to quickly address any unforeseen issues that may arise. The right technology can make it infinitely easier to deal with hybrid work challenges.
New hybrid work environment models allow employees to work from anywhere: at home, in the office, or a combination of the two.
We wouldn’t be off the mark in saying that the notion of centralized office space—long the norm for many businesses—may have gone the way of the dodo! The hybrid work environment model, on the other hand, proved remarkably successful in helping businesses function through the pandemic.
In the process, it demonstrated new ways that companies could save money without sacrificing productivity while opening up unprecedented opportunities for businesses that could respond quickly. As a result, the hybrid work environment is rapidly becoming the preferable option for forward-thinking companies.
According to an Accenture survey, over 80% of surveyed workers prefer a hybrid work environment, in which they can work remotely at least 25% of the time.
Integrating such a system comes with a number of challenges, however, not the least of which is creating a cohesive team. A hybrid workplace means different people in different locations—possibly varying day-to-day—but still able to communicate effectively and do their jobs.
The right tools can help your company take full advantage of a hybrid work environment, regardless of the type of industry involved.
The Challenge With a Hybrid Work Environment
The hybrid work environment comes with challenges, especially if a company is transitioning away from a more traditional work model.
Such challenges vary widely, depending upon the extent of the hybrid work environment, the number of employees involved, their given locations on any workday.
This can include:
- A disconnected workforce. Employees working in varying locations can often feel cut off, and communication can be difficult.
- Workplace inequity. Without proper planning and integration, hybrid models can unduly favor employees who come into a centralized space over those who work remotely.
- Technological issues, mostly concerning integration. If the tools you use to manage your hybrid work environment don’t work well in conjunction with other tools like online calendars, it can become unwieldy and complicated.
More specific issues can vary, depending on the department affected.
The Hybrid Work Environment for Human Resource Managers
The HR department in your company may be more aware of the benefits of a hybrid work environment than any other.
Prospective employees have far more options now than they did a few years ago, and finding and recruiting new talent can be particularly challenging. That can happen even if your hybrid work model is functioning as intended.
For example, one of the big advantages of hybrid work is the ability to recruit talent from anywhere in the world. By allowing them to work remotely, you can benefit from their skills and expertise—securing their services for the long term—without an attendant loss in productivity.
But this comes with an overhaul in the recruitment process, which may need to take previous processes and systems into account and recalibrate them to adapt to the new reality.
Employee retention rates can also take a hit, especially if the integration process isn’t working the way it should. The solution is a “smart office” software package that can centralize and simplify HR operations while smoothly integrating with a remote workforce.
For Real Estate Managers
Few aspects have been affected by this wholesale change towards a hybrid work environment more than real estate, where flexibility and mobility have always played a large part.
There’s little to change in the notion of a hybrid workspace, save that employees in real estate firms may now spend part or all of their time at home. Technology is thus already likely already present to promote efficiency and connectivity.
Tools designed to enhance a hybrid work environment need to integrate smoothly, and function in conjunction with the overall software ecosystem your firm is using. To achieve that, there are new complexities concerning things like property occupancy and health and wellness guidelines that directly impact the real estate industry, and will need to be included in any plans of this nature.
Smarten Space’s AI-powered analytics make an outstanding solution to both issues, helping organize, centralize and clarify everything from the planned location of each employee to occupancy status and contact tracing to help keep everyone healthy and safe.
For IT Support
Technology has always played a key role in business success, and every company’s IT department has been charged with maintaining it.
Their duties expanded exponentially under a hybrid work environment. For one, connecting employees from numerous different locations where there used to be only one. Functioning equipment and strong interconnections are vital to a hybrid work environment, and IT support must invariably ensure that those connections remain strong and stable.
That’s why Smarten Spaces’ hybrid workplace solutions are tailored to help IT departments do their jobs effectively. They include features such as automatic service requests allowing employees to view their ticket’s status after contacting tech support with their problem.
Requests can be made via the mobile app—allowing remote employees to request support no matter where they are—and analytics can help troubleshoot issues as needed. IT can keep ahead of the demand, and the entire process is managed with minimal time spent.
Achieve Harmony in a Hybrid Workplace With Smarten Spaces
The new hybrid work environment comes with its share of challenges, but the business that can navigate them will find themselves reaping considerable benefits.
That includes times and resources saved, a happier workforce, and the flexibility to quickly address any unforeseen issues that may arise. The right technology can make it infinitely easier to deal with hybrid work challenges.
Smarten Spaces solutions can prove to be the differentiator because our software solutions make your workplace flexible, engaging, optimized, and most importantly, deliver the best employee experience possible.
Looking for AI-powered workplace solutions that can simplify and streamline your hybrid work environment? Get in touch with our team today and let’s develop a solution that brings together bookings, scheduling, workplace safety, and employee engagement all under one dynamic platform.